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Exercise Tip of the Month
Nine Tips to Keep Yourself Exercising
One of the most commonly made, and most frequently broken, New Year’s
resolutions is the resolution to exercise more.
People who exercise
are healthier, more energetic, think more clearly, sleep better, have
delayed onset of dementia ... The list goes on.
There’s also a lot
of research into the connection between exercise and happiness—some studies
suggest that it provides a real boost, some studies suggest that while
correlated, exercise isn’t a factor in making people happier. I’m interested
to see what further studies reveal, but I’ve made up my own mind: In my
experience, and the experience of everyone I know who exercises, exercise
makes me calmer, more cheerful, and more alert.
But even once you’re
convinced of the benefits, if you’re not inclined to exercise, it can be
hard to adopt the habit. My favorite activity is reading in bed, and I don’t
enjoy games of any sort, but over the years I’ve managed to transform myself
into a regular exerciser by deploying these strategies:
1. Always
exercise on Monday. This sets the psychological pattern for the week.
2. If at all possible, exercise first thing in the morning. The longer
the day goes on, the more likely you are to get derailed.
3. Never
skip exercising for three days in a row. You can skip a day, and you can
skip two days, but on the third day, you must exercise no matter how
inconvenient. (This rule is more effective than it sounds; it kept me
exercising regularly during college.)
4. Give yourself credit for
the smallest effort. When my father started running, he said that all he had
to do was put on his running shoes and close the door behind him. I never
push myself hard, because I know that if I do, I might stop exercising
altogether. And don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The
15-minute walk you do take is better than the three-mile run you don't take.
5. If you don’t have time both to exercise and take a shower, find an
activity that doesn’t require a shower afterward, like yoga or walking. I do
an extremely tough weight-training regimen that doesn’t make me sweat. (And
yes, it is effective, even with no sweat!)
6. Look for affordable
ways to make exercising more pleasant or satisfying. Could you upgrade to a
nicer gym? Buy yourself a new iPod? Work with a trainer? Get a pedometer?
(They’re only $20.) A lot of people are feeling a real money crunch right
now, but exercise is a high life priority, so if you can afford it, this is
a place to spend some money if that helps.
7. Remind yourself of the
benefits from exercising. Personally, I’m more motivated by short-term
gratifications like “I’ll feel more focused” or “I’ll sleep better” than
long-term considerations like “I’ll live longer” or “If I have surgery, I’ll
recover quicker.” A trainer told me that, in her experience, men are more
motivated by the idea of improving their performance (a better tennis game)
or restoring an ability (climbing stairs without getting out of breath);
women are more motivated by the promise of improving their appearance.
8. Think about context. If you find it much harder to go running in
winter than summer, maybe the real trouble is that you don’t like the cold.
Do you hate the loud music in your gym? Is your workout so exhausting that
you can’t face the rest of your day?
9. When choosing an activity, a
gym, or an exercise class, make convenience a top priority. You’re much more
likely to go to a mediocre gym near your office or home than to a great gym
that’s out of your way.
Apart from the happiness gain you'll get from
the exercise, merely the fact that you've kept your resolution to yourself
will boost your happiness.
Source:
www.theslate.com
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