The weather is getting warmer and summer is just around the corner. Are you ready to put on shorts and a bathing suit? If your answer is no, realize that it is not too late to get in shape.
First step, figure what type of exercise you are going to do. Make sure you consult with your physician and if you need information about exercise programs the American heart association, the president’s council on fitness and the department of health and human services are all excellent sources.
Exercise Information
www.americanheart.org
www.fitness.gov
www.smallstep.gov
The next step is to ask yourself one simple question: "Do I really want to do this?". If your answer is no, or if you are kind of on the fence, try this quick exercise. Write down answers to this set of questions:
Motivation Booster
If I don’t exercise ...
- How will I look this summer?
- How will I feel this summer?
- What will my health be like this summer?
If I don’t exercise, how will I look this summer? How will I feel this summer? What will my health be like this summer? Most people find that this gives them a boost of motivation and reminds them of the benefits of exercise.
Once you’re motivated, you need to put things into action by changing your habits and routines. I want you to change your habits:
- Set new exercise goal
- Keep track
- Small actions
- Ask for help
- Weekly reward
Start fresh today with a goal for the summer. Keep it simple and maybe take a short walk three times a week - you can always make it more difficult. Once you start exercising, keep track of what you are doing to help you stay motivated. Remember the simple things that will help you succeed like taking your exercise clothes out the night before, keeping your gym bag in your car, or blocking out time on your calendar.
That ought to get you going, but to keep it up I want you to do two things. 1) Find someone who will encourage and support you. Family and friends are your best bet, but if you can’t find someone close, a phone or email buddy will also work. 2) Be good to yourself by coming up with a small weekly reward for sticking with your exercise program.
I know you may feel like its too late, but it’s not, and this game plan will get you back on track and ready for summer.