Research indicates that many people’s New Year’s resolution is to start an exercise program and eat healthier; and research also indicates that by the end of January, half of those people have already given up on their resolution.
There are several reasons that this happens. Some people believe they have to change everything all at once; clean up the diet and work out six days a week. This becomes overwhelming so they assume they can’t do it and quit. Others don’t see results fast enough and give up. Some start out trying to do too much in the gym, become sore and fatigued and get discouraged. And some just don’t know how so they give up in frustration.Well, it doesn’t have to be difficult, frustrating or depriving. Here are a few tips to help you stay focused, keep moving and have fun doing it.
1. First of all, pat yourself on the back for making a lifestyle change. Next, don’t worry about being nervous if you decide to join a gym. We are all beginners at some point. Scout out your local gyms and take them for a test drive. Most will offer 1-3 days (or more) of free gym time to try their facility. If you are female and don’t want to join a testosterone filled gym, look for one that is more family oriented. Does it have a daycare or children’s fitness area? Some gyms, such as the Rush, have a “women’s only” area, and there are “Women’s only” gyms popping up also.
2. Feel gyms are too expensive? Some gyms are as little as $15 a month. Or you can build your own home gym. You don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to get a good workout. Start with 3 basic items: Resistance bands, a stability ball, and a floor mat. You can get all 3 for under $60. You can find many workout videos on You-Tube and BodyrockTV. A great website: WOD Shopoffers daily bodyweight exercises you can do at home. Some other good websites that offer workouts and videos are ExperienceLife.com, Oxygenmag.com, and MuscleandFitnessHers.com
3. Don’t try to do it all. Take baby steps and be realistic. In the beginning, schedule exercise 3 days a week for 20 minutes. Each week add to it. Change the unhealthiest thing about your daily diet first. Example: if you eat lunch out 5 days a week, try packing your lunch 3 days. Next week, tackle something else. But – DO NOT SKIP meals in order to lose weight. This will only slow your metabolism and make losing weight more difficult. You HAVE to eat. Learn how food effects your body. A good book to start with would be The Harvard Medical School 6 Week Plan for Healthy Eating or Get-Fit’s 8 Week Healthy Habit Challenge.
4. Find something you LIKE to do. If you do not like cardio machines, you will not use them. No problem – like tennis? – Then do that instead. Don’t like working out on your own, join a class. Don’t want to join a gym, try DVD’s at home, or take up running. Keep trying different things until you find what works for you, and be consistent.
And #5…..let Get Fit Naturally and several sponsors help you get back on track with a month long “Keep Moving Forward” challenge!
February is this blog’s 1st year anniversary and to celebrate we are going to have a month long fitness challenge. We have teamed up with several sponsors including: Body Rock Sport, Blended Yoga, Blueprint Body Designs, Click Espresso Protein Drink,Endorphin Warrior Jewelry, Gym Girl, Harbinger Fitness, Beachbody Coach Natalie Rapp Tuman of My Think Fit, and yours truly,Get Fit Naturally.
Be sure and come back Wednesday, Feb. 1st to get the details!
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