Staying Motivated To Exercise

If you made a resolution to get in shape, my hope for you is to stay motivated and reach for that goal. The benefits you get from  exercise may surprise you. Still too many people have the good intention to exercise, but begin to lose it at some point. Some sign up for a gym membership and others buy their own equipment. Both eventually start to gather dust.


Usually what happens is that you do too much from the start. You know you overdid it, if you are sore and no longer look forward to exercising. Fitness is a skill and it takes knowledge and motivation.


If you want my opinion, I'd say save your money, for the most part, until you are sure you can stay motivated. Gyms are hopping with people signing a contract for a 1-3 year membership, that will prove costly to get out of before the term. See about monthly contracts that may be a few dollars more, but will save you in the long run. Always make sure you can have at least one complimentary workout, before committing to anything.


Home equipment can be costly, but save you from a gym membership in the long run. The problem with home gyms is that they take away the motivation to the point that you start procrastinating and end up not using the equipment.


If you haven't thought about it, think kettlebells for strength and core. A pull up bar will tone the arms and the back. Both are inexpensive and very effective. Climb stairs, buy or rent a bike, walk, run, jog, do yoga, pushups, etc., any activity counts as long as you stay motivated. Start slow and take one baby step at a time. 


Make sure you consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.


In closing, don't stop trying even if you lose your motivation for whatever reason.

The Must Resolution

We are now nearing the time of year I dread-the New Years Resolutions. It is now time to see the gym full to capacity until about April. Yes for the most part resolutions go unfulfilled. But more power to those who try and eventually end up sticking to it, like I eventually did. I'm not criticizing as much as stating facts.


It goes without saying that a change of habit may require time. It can't just happen overnight, although there are rare occasions when it does. So if at first you don't succeed, keep trying!




The one resolution that should be adhered to, if it applies to you, is to quit smoking. If you smoke, you should try to quit no matter how many attempts it takes. Whether you start the first of the year, or a month later, don't give up on quitting. Not everything works for everyone. I went cold-turkey and never looked back. It was a health issue for me that made me do it.




To be successful at quitting such a nasty habit, the secret is that you have to want to quit, otherwise nothing will work. I know somebody who was hypnotized, used acupuncture, the patch, pills, etc., and still goes back to smoking.




SmokeFree.gov might sweeten the quit smoking deal by offering incentives such as cash and free treatments.


Don't Stop Trying!

I went to the gym today and wasn't surprised that it was pretty packed. I see every year what I call the 90-Day-Cycle, meaning that by April, the gym won't be so crowded. People are trying to fulfill their New Year's Resolution of getting fit for 2014. Most join gyms, others buy equipment, and others use what they have around the house, or other means to exercise.

As far as joining a gym, make sure you get your money's worth and don't sign for a plan you pay for and hardly ever go. I know people who never attend the gym, but signed a contract that still commits them to payment. The funny thing is that they don't bother cancelling it after it expires. Yes, these people do exist!

Do your research and test the waters before you commit when it comes to a gym and a contract. This topic is for another blog of mine on finances. Here we talk HEALTH. Sticking with an exercise program requires doing your homework before you begin.

OVERTRAINING

Although overtraining is often associated with athletes that push their training too far, it is also what makes people quit when they start exercising. Starting low and slow is better than taking on more than you can chew on your first day. If you workout and wake up with aches and pains, you may have over done it. Don't act like an invincible Superman before you've done one exercise.

When it comes to exercising, you need to define your goals and have a plan how to get there. 

You should also know why I say what I say!

The One-A-Day Small Steps To Health

Want to be healthier and fitter for 2014? Here are small easy steps you can do each day in the month of January to jump-start your goal.

A healthy lifestyle needs organization, and getting rid of clutter and getting organized can help you get healthier.