subject: Integrating Exercise Into Your Life - 5 Top Tips [print this page] Integrating Exercise Into Your Life - 5 Top Tips
Recent statistics suggest that seven out of ten adults in the UK don't do enough exercise to stay fit and healthy, let alone lose weight. So, why not?
Do any of these seem familiar?
"I hate exercise"
"I'm no good at exercise"
"I'll get all hot and sweaty"
"I haven't got time for exercise"
"I'm too embarrassed to go to the gym"
"I think I'll look stupid"
"I don't know what I'm doing"
If you are one of those seven out of ten, then my guess is that you've used most (if not all) of these reasons at one time or another for why you don't exercise more; and on the surface they look like pretty good reasons.
BUT if you want to lose weight more easily, burn off more calories, shape and tone your body, reduce body fat, lower your BMI, boost your mood and improve your overall health, then you need to change your thinking and your attitude towards exercise, because it's KEY!
And here's how:-
Tip 1 : Think about exercise in its broadest sense.
Exercise isn't only about going to the gym. The dictionary definition of exercise is: to exert ones muscles etc, especially in order to keep fit.' Exercise can incorporate walking, cycling, swimming, playing with your kids, playing sports such as badminton or tennis, dancing, housework, gardening, DIY anything that involves even a moderate amount of exertion.
Tip 2: Find exercise you love
Think about something you love doing. Going out with friends? Watching a movie? Cooking? Travelling? Does that ever feel like a chore? No, of course it doesn't because you love doing it! Find exercise you love and it will never feel like a chore or part of a regime again. It will be something you never want to miss out on!
Tip 3: Make it part of your routine
A number of my clients have exercise days' ie days when they always exercise eg monday night - personal training session, wednesday night - aerobics class, saturday morning swimming with the boys. Having set days and times for exercise makes it part of your weekly routine, helps it become a habit and allows it to fit more easily into your life. It's just what you do!
Tip 4: Find an exercise buddy
Having an exercise buddy really helps. You might have different buddies for different activities, but if they're texting you to make sure you're on for the class or phoning you to encourage you to come along despite having a bad day, it really helps you to commit. We all need support and encouragement sometimes and it's great because you don't want to let each other down!
Tip 5: Use a personal trainer
Good personal trainers are valuable for many reasons. They offer diarised appointments that you won't want to miss, they make exercise fun and stimulating, they encourage you to work harder than you would on your own, they vary your programme to keep challenging your body and they ensure that your exercise, stretching etc is all done safely and effectively. Many personal trainers are not overly expensive and some gyms even offer a monthly PT session as part of the package. Well worth considering!
So, 5 top tips for integrating exercise into your life. Commit to even three of these five and you will be well on the way to a lighter, healthier and happier life!
