When Your Goal is to Get Started
Sit down with yourself, make a block of time, for example one hour and make a list of reasons why you want to do an exercise program. If you have no reasons for wanting to embark on an exercise program, starting and staying with an exercise program will be impossible. When you understand yourself the reasons why you are wanting to do an exercise program, you will stay motivated and committed to your task.
Start with Becoming Regular
No, not that kind of regular – we are talking getting into the habit of daily exercise – this means setting yourself daily participation goals. Walk around the block or walk to the end of the street and back, and do this every day. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so if you get into the habit of exercising, it will become like brushing your teeth or going to work, and like eating – automatic.
Start Small, and Work Your Way Up
When you start exercising, and haven’t previously done so, first get the go ahead from your medical practitioner or health professional, and then follow a recommended light program. For example, you may start for the first couple of weeks walking for five minutes, and then increasing the time or distance that you walk. If you are short on time, you can squeeze in regular intervals of exercise that accumulate throughout the day. For example, instead of eating and staying at your desk at work, eat your lunch, and then get up and go outside for a walk. You can go for a short walk before breakfast, and then go for a short walk after dinner.
Set Yourself SMART Goals
Smart goals are just that – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound. This means that you have to be able to realistically achieve them within a given period of time. For example, commit to exercise for five minutes per day, at least three to four times per week for the first couple of weeks of your exercise program. When you have mastered that, reward yourself with different items, not food items. For example, you might treat yourself with a new book to read, or treat yourself with a trip to the hairdresser. For men you might treat yourself to a ticket to a game that is being played by your favorite team, or anything else that motivates you.
Continue to Set Yourself Goals
The journey of ten thousand steps begins with one. That is also how it is when you are beginning a fitness program. You start small, and work your way up. When you have achieved different goals, ensure that you continue to set yourself new fitness goals and then you will be well on your way to increased fitness and better levels of health.
