Fitness Can Become a Habit
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What does fitness mean to you? Do you see it as something you have to force yourself to do, or do you seek to incorporate different exercises into your leisure activities? Getting in shape is different (and will be different for everyone). As I have mentioned before, everyone is unique, and this is no more evident than when it comes to their individual health needs and goals.
For many, fitness naturally becomes a part of their life (and daily habits) over time. Many of us groan and complain when we first start a fitness program, as we consider it a hindrance to other things we would rather be doing. But often the time you set aside to exercise will eventually not be the only time commitment you make to a healthier body. For example, my wife started her healthy lifestyle change with just a ½ hour workout a day, and 2 months later it became a full hour. A few months after that she incorporated a brisk evening walk into the mix-just for fun. Yes, you read that correct, she worked out an extra hour a day just for her enjoyment. This is not uncommon at all. The better our bodies feel when we workout, the more we feel like doing and the more time we generally spend in exercise related activities.
That being said, exercise can become an addiction-just like anything else. This, however, is not to be confused with those individuals who are simply fitness enthusiasts. Fitness addicts make exercise their first, last, and only priority-at the expense of everything else in their lives. “One of the ways to determine if you are addicted to exercise is to examine other aspects of your life. Are you avoiding spending time with your loved ones, choosing exercise over them? Are there any hobbies that you have neglected to engage in because you are spending too much time exercising? Do you exercise even if you are feeling sick or fatigued?” (1). If you can take time away from your exercise regimen, for any reason then you are not addicted. If you can allow that sometimes “things happen” where you will be unable to workout-or you can see when the need to socialize should come first, then you should consider yourself a fitness enthusiast.
On the flip side though, make sure those reasons are valid, and you are not just looking for a reason not to exercise. If you think you need to go to the store and hit that sale, or feel you don’t have the right workout clothes, or just tell yourself “you will start exercising tomorrow” and this becomes a regular way to get out of getting fit-then you are making unnecessary excuses. The store sales will be there, and if you miss it, there will always be another one. Any lose comfortable clothing and good sturdy pair of sneakers is all you need for workout clothes. Yes, yoga pants and a yoga top are good, but if thinking you need these clothes to get fit and it’s keeping you from that goal-ditch the new clothes idea for now. Fitness and your trainer don’t care what you are dressed in-as long as you are comfortable and ready to break a sweat. Just a heads up, don’t make “getting dirty” a reason not to exercise. Getting in shape is hard work and you will sweat, but consider it an investment. You are investing your sweat for a healthier future. Does this sound familiar? “‘I don't have the time’. The goal is 30 minutes daily. But it can be several 10- to 15-minute sessions. Use exercise time to read mail on a stationary bike or make phone calls while walking.” (2). You are never too busy to say yes to a healthier body, in fact the longer you wait, the more your habits now will cost you in the long run. So, as far as putting off starting your fitness routine, get up and get started right now. Don’t procrastinate, or you will never start. Remember here, the only person you are hurting is yourself. You are denying yourself a way to feel better about yourself and have improved overall well-being.
Your reason for fitness is yours and yours alone. As I have said before, the same routines and exercises don’t work for everyone. It’s as different as our faces and habits. The sooner you discover your reasons-and what works for you, and begin your new lifestyle the sooner your “forced” fitness routines will become a fun and healthy habit!
(2) http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/info-01 2011/getting_past_excuses_to_exercise.html
