| If I had a penny for every time I've heard | | | | after work, be sure to bring your equipment and |
| someone say, "But I don't have the time!" I'd be a | | | | clothes with you to work. If it's something you |
| multi-millionaire! There are a lot of strategies for | | | | really want to make happen, you will do what is |
| getting things done, and tons of strategies to 'just | | | | necessary to be prepared, even if that means |
| do it' when it comes to your health and fitness, | | | | putting a little reminder note next to your bed or |
| but the big issue is many people just don't 'do it'. | | | | on your bathroom mirror. |
| They procrastinate. Some people can't even use | | | | 6. Tell others. For some people, this can be a |
| the excuse that they don't have time! | | | | powerful motivator. Making yourself accountable |
| Here are some strategies to help you combat the | | | | to someone else can move you towards actually |
| procrastination that has prevented you from | | | | sticking with it. We tend to work harder for |
| achieving your fitness goals. | | | | others than we do for ourselves. |
| 1. Self-talk. If you have been struggling with how | | | | 7. Find a fitness buddy . If you work best with |
| to change your fitness habits and just can't get | | | | someone, find a person who is as committed and |
| past the 'doing it' stage, first you have to look at | | | | determined as you are, who would like to do the |
| what you are telling yourself. Are you saying you | | | | same activity. This can be great for just about |
| just can't do it? Are you saying that no matter | | | | any activity, but of course something like tennis |
| what you have tried, nothing works or nothing | | | | makes it essential. It is important that you find |
| sticks? The first step is to change your opinion of | | | | someone who will challenge you rather than help |
| what you are capable of! Start telling yourself that | | | | you slack off. |
| you're already there! Write down on paper that | | | | 8. Negotiate a reward for yourself after you have |
| you are already doing the activity and include how | | | | done the activity. If rewards motivate you, use |
| you feel about it. If necessary, write down this | | | | this! It can be anything. Although it is said to not |
| goal and put it on post-its around your house. An | | | | use food as a reward when trying to improve |
| example would be, 'I am walking 10 minutes | | | | health habits, if taking yourself out to a nice, |
| every morning and feel incredible!' | | | | special lunch or dinner is what really gets you fired |
| 2. Visualize yourself doing the activity you would | | | | up, do it! Or maybe set a goal that after doing |
| like to do. First, do you know what you would | | | | the activity for 3 months you will buy yourself a |
| enjoy doing? Sometimes people think that 'fitness' | | | | new pair of pants. |
| means going to the gym or walking or lifting | | | | 9. Pick up where you left off. It's not uncommon |
| weights. Maybe you don't like any of that! What | | | | to slack off or quit an activity if something |
| do you like? Maybe you really like to swim, or | | | | happens before it's ingrained into your lifestyle. |
| play tennis, or you would like to start hiking or | | | | The best strategy when this happens, however, |
| take a Tai Chi class. Once you have the activity | | | | is to just pick up where you left off and not beat |
| figured out, close your eyes and see yourself | | | | yourself up for the slack. We all drop off |
| easily and happily doing it. Creating this picture in | | | | occasionally. What's most important is picking it |
| your mind will prepare you for making it a reality. | | | | back up and realizing that this is for the rest of |
| 3. Vividly imagine the feeling you'll have when you | | | | your life. All aspects of life include ups and downs. |
| have done it. I love how accomplished I feel after | | | | People often start an exercise routine and expect |
| a workout, especially when it's a hard one! | | | | to see results quickly. However, there are a lot of |
| Sometimes, though, I have to follow my own | | | | internal systems adjusting long before we see |
| advice beforehand and, literally, "Just do it", | | | | anything outside. But if you stick with it, without |
| because I can start to justify all the reasons not | | | | realizing it, you will start to notice little changes. |
| to. You know; no time.. So, imagine how you feel | | | | One day you'll put on a pair of pants and see that |
| after taking that hike or swim, or whatever. What | | | | they are a bit looser in the hips than they used to |
| do you notice? Imagine what you feel in your | | | | be. Or you may run to catch a bus and realize |
| body, about your sense of accomplishment. | | | | you didn't feel like you would die once you sat |
| Creating the emotional feeling of actually doing | | | | down. |
| something you've wanted to do will help spur you | | | | If you have been telling yourself that you will |
| into taking action. | | | | start or resume a regular exercise routine pretty |
| 4. Talk to yourself as if you were a friend. If you | | | | soon, and just haven't done it, you have to realize |
| had a friend who really wanted to start exercising | | | | that it does not get easier as you get older! |
| but kept putting it off, what would you tell him | | | | Putting it off for later can also mean you will have |
| her? This technique will help you step outside of | | | | more health and weight issues to struggle with. |
| yourself and view the situation objectively. Maybe | | | | Adding regular physical activity to your life will not |
| something new will come up, too! | | | | only help you look better but also help you feel |
| 5. Prepare for the activity. If you plan to start | | | | better, sleep better and just be more energized! |
| walking in the mornings, know where you're going | | | | So, as you do age (and there's no avoiding it), |
| to walk, what to expect on your journey, and | | | | because you are active and healthy you will look |
| have your shoes/clothes out and ready to put on | | | | great! |
| right away. If you are going to start playing tennis | | | | |