January Article
Success Means Keeping It Simple
By Bev Hillman
Vancouver Personal Training
There is something about the New Year that makes us reflect and renew. We may even want to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Perhaps it's the "new" in "Happy New Year" that evokes a feeling that makes us believe there is a chance for successful change with a new plan of action.
If I could grant the success of a healthful New Year's resolution it would be to "be thankful for my health, remembering that it's a gift I could lose any day". The best way to honour health is to renew your commitments and healthy habits every day, and to share your enthusiasm with others.
To help accompish this resolution in 2006 and beyond, here are a few helpful hints to get you started and\or keep you going:
*We all know that the number one stress of the human body is physical inactivity; we have to move the body physically. Exercise will extend our health span, increase our life expectancy and help us decrease morbidity. By simply moving our body in a structured way and learning how to nourish our body (knowing when, what and how to feed it) increases our quality of life.
*The greatest physical health benefits are achieved when the least active individuals become moderately active on a regular basis. How motivating is that! Active living is a way of life in which physical activity is valued and integrated into daily life. Doing things you enjoy such as gardening, dancing, or simply playing in the park with the kids.
*When was the last time you did something NEW for the first time? Make January the month for trying new activities, from yoga to trail riding, kickbox to hiking. Incentive will help you decide what qualities you are looking for in an activity. It should enhance your personality. Don't force yourself to participate in something just because your friends are doing it. If you don't like something, don't waste your confidence.
If you are sports minded, finding a sport that you are passionate about will fuel your desire to participate. Stop thinking of working out as something you "should" be doing. When you enjoy what you are doing, motivation for training will come naturally.
*Set a training schedule and stick to it, constantly challenging yourself in your physical abilities. Keep a training diary and food journal - you are less likely to ditch a workout session or eat that dessert if you know you have to write it down. You will also be able to see what helps you to progress and what doesn't and then adjust accordingly for improvement.
*Seek help and support from family and friends when you need it. From beginner to athlete, everyone can use the help of a trainer to change a routine, give knowledge about nutrition and exercise, and provide that extra bit of motivation when needed.
*If at first you don't suceed... Allow for the occasional setback, everyone falls off the wagon at some point. When that happens don't be discouraged. Take the time to regroup and then get back into your routine. And forget about the negative self-talk. Turn that self-criticism into self-coaching, get over it and inspire/encourage yourself to keep up the good work. Replace a bad habit with a good one.
*Stay away from the scale. It doesn't measure cardiovascular health and other important benefits of regular exercise. Judge success by how you feel, not how you look.
*Goals are the essence of bettering ourselves and enriching our lives in the process; quitting smoking, our first 10 km, following a smart eating plan. No matter what the goal is, you should not be so obsessed with it that it interferes with your daily routine. Make realistic goals from the start. For example, if you know that only three to four hours of your week are devoted to your exercise regime, it is a lot easier to maintain in the long term.
Having the patience to travel this road gradually will allow you to be comfortable in adopting this new way of life permanently. It's about taking charge of your life and enjoying the process.
Bev Hillman is a local Fitness Consultant and Personal Trainer. She can be
reached at www.trainwithbev.com or 604-948-0709.
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