Beginner's Guide to Getting Fit
The very thought of going from zero fitness to full strength, stamina, and endurance can seem overwhelming enough to make you want to lie down. If you’re at this point in your life, you may be a candidate for a transformation.
Transformations are not easy, they require discipline. This means a complete change, which is an all-or-nothing proposition. You either do it, or you don’t. I’m sorry, I wish it was easier, but it is what it is. You can’t just exercise 3 times one week, once the next week, take a couple of weeks off, go twice a week, and so on and expect to reap all the benefits. Only a handful of people, basically 5% can get into a regular exercise routine by suddenly beginning to exercise. Something just clicks inside and they enjoy it. But for the other 95% getting into a regular routine with exercise is a chore. For these people, beginning an exercise program comes in stages.
The very fact that you’re reading this article means that you’re already in the first stage. Just be aware that the stage you are in changes all the time. Once you know where you are, it’s easy to see what’s next.
You ready?
Stage One: Thinking about It or In Denial At this stage, you may be wondering what could possibly be done to get you to budge? Probably nothing if you’re full of excuses, which are usually without merit. If there is a will, there is a way. This means you have choices called priorities. What is IMPORTANT to you? If you are still trying to answer that question, mentally slap yourself. Come on! You have already reached the point that you are aware that a problem exists. You’ve probably already considered doing something about it. If so, this is great progress, even if you haven’t actually made a commitment to start.
Maybe you need:
A support team. This could consist of family or friends that encourage you to exercise or just live a healthier life. Better yet, they could join you. Even the healthiest person could use some improvement.
A goal or reason to change. This could be a family trip, class reunion, or on the extreme, major surgery. Maybe you just need to set an example for your child, especially if the problem is genetic.
Research and find out the benefits of living an active lifestyle. I promise you won’t regret it.
To use your imagination and see the person that you want to be, then open your eyes and put those thoughts into action and get results.
Stage Two: Getting Ready to Start or Just Getting Started
This is the most challenging stage. This combines intending to change with actually making some changes. Be very careful at this point, many people begin exercising on a regular basis, which is good, but they overdo it. This causes them to hurt or exhaust themselves and they become discouraged and drop back to the First Stage. If you exercise moderately, you may last anywhere from a day to six months, but you are not home free yet. This is where you really decide to make exercising a lifestyle change or stop after seeing some results or reach a short-term goal. For true change, you must develop new habits and skills to keep you from falling back.
Maybe you need:
To think of exercising as an everyday ritual like brushing your teeth. That’s something you do without thinking. If you have to think about it, most likely you will talk yourself out of exercising.
To journalize your diet and workout. This gives you a reference to look back and see your progress and/or see your achievements.
Stage Three: Reaching Your Goal and Continuing to Improve
Now that you have made it to this stage, you should feel great about yourself. The techniques you used in Stage One & Two will help you maintain your goal and help you go to a whole new level. So, whatever tricks worked for you, use them. It doesn’t matter if they’re different from the ones that helped your best friend.
Remember what I said earlier, the stage you are in changes all the time. You may work yourself up to Stage Three, but then you get sick or injured, and have to start back at Stage One. It doesn’t take long to form a habit or break it either. Actually, 7 to 9 days. So, if you stop exercising, you could find yourself lacking motivation and back to square one. However, if you made it to Stage Three, you can do it again.
