Summer is just around the corner. Time to shed the winter coat and put on the shorts and bathing suit. Remember when you said you were going to exercise more this year to get in shape for summer? Did that exercise program somehow fade away? Well, fear not, because we are going to get you back on track today.
To get back on track with your exercise program you only need 3 things:
- Information- you need to know what exercises to do.
- Motivation- you have to want to get back on track.
- Behavioral Skills- you need to know how to change your habits.
The information part is pretty simple. There are several organizations that provide free exercise information. The American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), The President’s Council on Fitness (www.fitness.gov)
and the Department of Health and Human Services (www.smallsteps.gov)
are all excellent sources. Always make sure you consult with your physician before you start any exercise program.
Next- motivation- what if you are losing interest? Here is one simple exercise to increase your motivation.
Write down your answers to these questions:
If I don’t exercise:
- How will I look this summer?
- How will I feel this summer?
- What will my health be like in 5 years?
- How will my health affect family and friends?
Most people find that writing these answers down helps to remind them of why they decided to exercise in the first place and it gives their motivation a boost.
Now, information and motivation are not quite enough –You need to change your habits. There are 5 things you need to do to change your habits- I call it being SMARTTM. Here’s what I want you to do:
- Set a new exercise goal. Start fresh today with a realistic goal for the summer. It’s better to keep it easy at first you can always get more difficult.
- Monitor your exercise. Keeping track of what you are doing is going to help you actually do it. So grab that calendar, put it on the fridge and mark down every time you exercise.
- Arrange for success. Make it easy to get the exercising done. If you plan to exercise in the morning- take your clothes out the night before, if you want to exercise on the way home from work, make sure your gym bag is packed and in the car.
- Recruit a support team. The research clearly shows having others support you in your efforts will help you be a success. Ask friends and family members to provide support.
- Treat your actions. Remember- behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to occur. So plan out how you are going to treat yourself for sticking with your new exercise goals.
I know it’s discouraging to not reach your exercise goals. But put this in perspective; it is never too late to get back on track and I promise you that if you know which exercises to do, you want to do them, and you use the SMARTTM strategy you will get back on track in no time.
*The information contained in these articles is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always ask your physician or other qualified health professional about any matter concerning your individual health. Always seek the advice of your physician prior to starting or changing any medical treatment. Nothing contained in these answers is intended for medical diagnoses or treatment purposes.