COLUMN OF KNOWLEDGE

Stay Motivated

By Lisa Troyer
In lieu of this issue of SF & Neighbors and its focus on the topic of healthcare and the outstanding facilities and providers in our area, I urge you to take the time to reread my article in the first issue that lays out the health benefits of exercise. Exercise & diet play such an important role in living a healthy lifestyle. Yes, we have some of the best medical facilities around, but if we go through the behavior-change process and exercise on a daily basis, we can prevent many chronic diseases before we need to visit them.

As a follow-up to any New Year’s Promises or Resolutions you made in January - are you staying motivated? Psychologists who study the process of behavior-change believe that people are more likely to keep the promises that they made if they spend some time thinking and planning. Hopefully you have done this and your plans are still well intact.

We all know that it takes more than a New Year’s promise to create successful, long-term changes in behavior. If you have made a concrete plan and anticipate the possible difficulties that may come along, you are more likely to stick to your promise. You know now (because I keep beating it into your head) that regular physical activity is an essential component of living a healthy lifestyle, as well as any weight-loss program. Physical activity reduces feelings of stress, and increases feelings of energy and control. Regular exercise has enormous fringe benefits, including better health and greater vitality.

Hopefully many of you have taken my advice and made some type of a promise to yourself at the start of this year that includes fitness. You are now 3 months in and unfortunately we must face the facts. Staying motivated and sticking with your program isn’t easy. Statistics say that only 50% of individuals beginning an exercise program will adhere to their program after 6 months. The major reason for failure is lack of planning and setting attainable goals.

You must set specific goals for what you hope to achieve through your exercise plan. These goals must be attainable and have a timeframe. Listed below are a few suggestions to help you stay motivated:

Don’t overdo it: Gradually ease into your program. As times goes by, add more time to each workout and more workouts each week.

Find activities & classes that you enjoy: If you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing, you won’t stick with it. Try a variety of exercise classes and fitness activities to see what appeals to you.

Stick to your schedule: If you have promised to exercise 3 times per week, say Monday, Wednesday & Friday, mark it on your calendar and keep it a part of your weekly routine.

Stock your kitchen with healthy foods: If you have healthy food available, you will be less likely to eat junk.

Workout with a friend: There is nothing more motivating and fun than having a workout buddy. You will also be less likely to “blow-off” a workout if someone is depending on you.

Hire a personal trainer: A personal trainer will not only help keep you
motivated, but they will also help you achieve results up to 45% faster by
applying their expertise.

Recover: If you feel as if you’re doing too much, avoid burnout by taking a few days off for full body recovery.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: “I’m training for my health” – keep this thought in your head at all times.

Take Advice: The more knowledge and information that you have on exercise, the more motivated you will be.

Change your workout routine: It will get boring if you do the same routine day after day. Changing it up is key to avoiding monotony, which may lead to quitting your program.

Consult your physician: If you haven’t done so, make an appointment with your physician. It is important that you get cleared for exercise. They may also have some additional nutrition and fitness information specific for your needs
that will help you in your quest to keep that promise.

Remember that knowledge is power: Continue to seek the knowledge about your specific program for it will help motivate you and keep you on the path to healthy living.

“If I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
-Gandhi