Successful Exercise

2010-05-06T10:36:00.001+10:00

At the start of an exercise program, there’s inevitably a great level of enthusiasm. It doesn’t always last, for a variety of reasons:

Trying to do much too soon
Inaccurate or inappropriate expectations
Getting bored
Losing motivation

All of which results in quitting too soon.

Is this failure? No - exercise programs don't "fail" and neither do the people doing them. Any level of exercise is a win, no matter how long it lasts. But people following an exercise program do need to understand what it takes to be successful.

Lets look at the main reasons listed above to see what we can do to increaser our success rate.

Trying to do much too soon:

That start-up enthusiasm can sometimes lead us astray. We jump in with little forethought or planning and in this situation people tend to make mistakes despite the best of intentions.

Getting stuck into some weights, for instance, can do more harm than good. Straining to finish the last 10 reps – while feeling good about completing the exercise – can do significant damage to muscle tissue that your body will take a couple of days to repair. Since you are out of shape your performance during that time will be affected – especially if you go back and do another set of exercises.

What happens when the pain arrives? You try and convince yourself of the “no pain, no gain” maxim but mentally you set yourself up to avoid workouts that result in pain. Physically you may even do an injury that prevents further workouts for a while.

The clue is to take it easy at the start and work your way up to higher or more intense levels. You are training your body to enjoy the new direction, and like any quality training, it takes time.

Inaccurate or inappropriate expectations:

How much time? Well it took you years to get to this point and its not going to change in days or weeks. Every body is different – take the time to get to know your body and how it responds to the new stimulus you are giving it. Remain confident that by regular exercise and gradually increased challenges, your body will make the appropriate changes in outward appearance and inner capabilities.

Getting bored:

Doing anything day after day can be boring whether it's exercise, sex, or eating ice cream. Sometimes even doing everything right with good expectations, a great program and seeing results can still get boring after a while.
That’s where variety comes in. There are a number of methods and techniques to harness which ultimately have the same end result. Liven it up with some music, group work, or a couple of changes in the program.

Losing motivation:

That’s where the cyclone of enthusiasm you started with begins to dissipate as quickly as it arrived. It depends a little on what prompted your decision to take up exercise in the first place – but whatever it was, the trick is to convert that into a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

One way to do that is to write down what you want to achieve and why. Talk to a professional and get some tips on realistic goals. But make sure its somewhere accessible – doesn’t have to be on the fridge for all to see – as long as you know where it is and can re-read it at any time.

All of which results in quitting too soon

Without the steps above, you can easily get to a point where it is simply easier to quit. People take up gym memberships and drop out after a couple of month, or even a few weeks – it happens all the time.

Is this failure? No, even a few weeks of exercise can be beneficial. But mainly it just means an ineffective conversion to an exercise-oriented lifestyle. Following the steps we have outlined will dramatically increase your rate of success.

Over time the benefits of regular appropriate levels of exercise will become apparent and the results will soon follow.

Exercise Relieves Stress

2010-04-29T15:42:00.001+10:00

Not only can exercise help you look better - it can help you feel better as well.

While many people exercise to control weight and get in better physical condition, the stress management aspects of exercise are becoming more apparent.

The build up of stress can be relieved by a high-energy form of exercise - a great session on the stepper, or a strong rowing session can decrease the level of the body's stress chemicals like cortisol and increase your body's feel-good chemicals, giving your mood a natural boost. This is the same chemistry behind a 'runner's high' - you can also have an exercise high.

Getting stuck into a gym session can also act as a distraction by taking your mind off of your problems. Plus going to the gym means you physically remove yourself from a possibly negative environment. Not only that, it gets you involved with others and a group session with friends, or in a class or group setting, can add enjoyment and extra motivation.

...coming soon

2009-11-13T09:53:00.009+11:00

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