What if a trusted friend were to tell you about an investment
where you could not possibly go wrong...what would be your
reaction? And what if there was a virtual mountain of credible
information that supported the investment claims...wouldn't
you be inclined to take advantage of the opportunity and
not miss out on the rewards? Although the answer to these
questions seems apparent, when it comes to investing in
our health and quality of life we often choose to ignore
what obviously works. Take for example, exercise...
Physical fitness may be the ultimate investment opportunity.
Think of it this way. If you are willing to make the commitment
(investment), you will feel and look healthier, have an
abundance of energy, be more self-confident, more productive
and discover a more joyous and fulfilling life. These are
rewards that money cannot buy and the substance of high
quality living. And, the investment of exercise becomes
even more attractive when you consider that there is absolutely
no down-side risk. You have everything to gain and nothing
to lose. How much better can it get? How many times can
you remember ever having a better offer? The honest answer
is probably never, and yet many of us fail to act on this
extraordinary opportunity. We simply choose to procrastinate
or ignore the proven benefits of exercise!
Here are a few reasons that sometimes inhibit our willingness
to "step out" and make a change or take a chance:
- Sometimes our vision gets clouded. We lose tract of
what is really important. Forget about the less important
activities that tend to clutter our daily routine and
focus on exactly what needs to be accomplished to reach
your goal.
- Looking at the "big" picture can seem overwhelming.
And the bigger the task, the more overwhelming it can
seem. Break the task apart into smaller pieces. If you
want to lose 50 pounds try losing 10 pounds and repeat
the process five times! Need to start an exercise program?
Begin with short, simple exercises and then slowly expand
your routine. Don't exercise too hard when first starting-out
or you will become stiff, tired, disillusioned and soon
quit.
- Have you ever not wanted to start something for fear
of failure? Take the first step, acknowledge the fear
and the next step will come easier. Once fears are acknowledged,
they usually quiet down.
- Sometimes we start to think that a task is unpleasant
or boring. Just like any other activity, this can also
be true for exercise. There are days when we just plain
lack the enthusiasm and motivation to continue. It's part
of human nature. On days like these focus on 'why' you
are doing it. Think about all the people you care about
and who may need and rely on you. What would happen if
you became ill or disabled and was unable to work for
a period of time, or worse, if you were out of the picture
completely. How would things change? If something happened
tomorrow, how would your family or business manage without
you? What do you want your life to be like in the future?
There are many tasks or chores we do, that we may not
like, but are necessary to live a happen and productive
life. Focus on the bigger picture.
- Indecision can be defeating, but doing "anything"
is better than doing nothing. There are no wrong choices
and very few choices that can't be undone or done again.
Can't decide on a particular exercise program or routine?
Pick a few exercises and start with something simple.
If you don't like it, go on to the next exercise.
- When you lack the confidence to start something new,
take a deep breath and try to figure out why. Are you
hesitating because you really lack the skill or is it
just imagined? If it's real, try to find out where to
gain the skills you need or find someone with the right
skills who can help. In the case of exercise, finding
a qualified personal fitness trainer can sometimes do
the trick, but be wary...some PFT's are overzealous and
tend to start newcomers on programs that are too strenuous.
- Life just seems too busy to find time for some activities.
Large, uninterrupted chunks of time are very hard to come
by. And if we're honest, when they do come, we'd rather
do something totally pleasurable! Exercise has to become
part of your routine. It can't be an option. Make it a
high priority just the same as your career, and other
areas of interest. You will be surprised at how easy exercise
becomes when approached this way!
- Have you ever subconsciously (or otherwise) invited
distractions so that you have a "good" reason
not to get something done? Sometimes it's the simple things
like answering the phone or sitting down to watch that
"one" TV program, that distract us. When you
find yourself doing this, take control of the situation
and make a conscious decision to do what you are avoiding.
To reap the benefits of exercise, or any other health related
endeavor, you must agree to become a willing participant.
This will require due diligence on your part. And remember,
as you embark on your mission you are investing in something
near and dear to your own heart...your life and a future
of healthy living.
