And How Badly
Do YOU Want It?
By Brian Calkins, Cincinnati Ohio Personal Fitness Trainer
Unless you know "Why?" you desire to
embark upon a new habit of exercising and eating right, it is
too easy to quit once the "voices" inside your head begin to
"speak". These are the "voices" that tell you to hit the
snooze button and skip your fitness boot camp session in the
morning, that you are "too busy", that you are too tired or
too old or you just don't have the time.
Consider this: what if I promised to
give you a thousand dollars for each hour that you exercised
tomorrow? Would you work out? What if I told you that this
offer is good, every day, for as long as you continue to
exercise without missing a single day? But there is a catch:
you can't change a single thing that you currently do in your
life… your job, family commitments or other hobbies and
activities. Would you exercise tomorrow? How about the next
day? I bet you would!
Now, I can't give you that kind of
reward, but if you answered "Yes", then the problem is not
your lifestyle, that you are tired or have reached a certain
age or have too little time. The problem is that you simply
don't want it badly enough.
Clients that we work with all have
very powerful reasons to get up each morning and follow
through on their exercise… a carrot, if you will. Seldom do
they miss a workout and although they don't eat perfectly,
they strive to consume the best meals possible to reach their
goals. Why? Because they want it badly enough and know their
reasons "WHY?"
Are you ready to discover your own
reasons why you want to change your lifestyle behaviors? Are
you ready to become consistent with your exercise routine? If
so, then take out a sheet of paper and write down 5 reasons
"WHY?" you want to begin a new and healthy lifestyle (or
enhance the one you're already on). Then, when the "voices"
start to speak, you can shout back, "No! This is "WHY" I am
doing this. Because…"
Now, after writing down 5 reasons,
take three of them and embellish a bit by putting your heart
and soul into expounding on the most important reasons you
need to begin exercising and eating quality, nutritious foods.
Then, every time that you are faced with the "voices" you can
pull out your reasons and read them. Copy your reasons and put
them everywhere. On your fridge, your car, your office, even
your wallet or purse. Have it ready to pull out at a moment's
notice.
This is "WHY?" you are doing this.
Your "WHY?" will help you get out of
bed early to exercise or forgo your hour lunch in exchange for
a healthy smoothie and a 30 minute workout . Your "WHY?" will
keep you on track when work or the kids or other obligations
come calling for your time.
When you feel like quitting, remember
there was a reason, a "WHY?" you started. You can succeed!
Remind yourself each day "WHY?" you are traveling this
journey. Review your list often.
Below is a partial list of reasons
why people make the unwavering commitment to exercise and eat
right.
Exercise helps me:
- sleep better, relax, and improves
my mood
- feel more energetic and productive
- keep up with my kids or grandkids
- clear out the mental cobwebs and
be more focused
- reduce my level of anxiety and
manage stress
- to improve my self-esteem and
boost my confidence
- to lose weight and feel wonderful
in the process
- improve my physical appearance
allowing me to feel good about myself
- increase my strength and endurance
giving me the ability to enjoy all the activities I love
Additional benefits of exercise
includes:
- Increasing your resting metabolic
rate to allow you to burn more calories throughout the day
- Increases your stamina and ability
to do continuous work
- Improves fitness levels, or your
body's ability to use oxygen
- Perform at higher levels of
productivity while becoming less fatigued
- Provides protection against injury
when playing sports or engaging in favorite activities
- Improves your balance and
coordination
- Increases bone mineral density to
prevent osteoporosis
- Reduces triglycerides and bad
cholesterol
- Enhances sexual desire and
performance
- Reduces heart disease and stroke
- Reduces the risk of developing
certain types of cancer
- Increases insulin sensitivity,
preventing type 2 diabetes
- Improves the function of your
immune system
So, what are your reasons "Why?"
Write them down now and don't forget to review them often!
See you at camp, bright and early!