WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EXERCISER? THE BIG C WORD
I exercise! I run! I lift weights! Weve all heard these expressions before. But just what is an exerciser, a weight lifter or a runner? Is an exerciser someone who makes it to the gym 3 times a month? Is a weight lifter someone who lifts 5 days straight, takes 10 days off and then lifts 5 days straight again? Is a runner someone who used to run 5 times a week but hasnt laced-up the running shoes in months? Guess what the BIG C WORD is Im looking for here? Ah, youre getting close.
Youre either considering or have already endured life-changing weight-loss surgery because you truly want to live a long, healthy life. But you still have an important journey ahead of you and what you do on this journey will determine just how successful youll be. Exercising is indeed an important part of it, but more than likely you werent very successful at exercising in your pre-operative days and have a bad taste in your mouth about it. But whats done is done. This is a new you now. It is time to leave the past behind and start focusing on your future. This is about the new, thin life that lay ahead, so dont get discouraged about taking-on an exercise programget excited. Heres the trick. Its that Big C-word youve been trying to figure out Thats right, CONSISTENCY.
The most important part of exercise isnt how many miles you can run or how much weight you can lift; the most important part is staying consistent. A few days of exercise here and there isnt going to cut it. In fact a few weeks isnt. It has got to be a life-long, consistent habit; that is if you want to maintain your weight-loss. That is if you are dedicated to living the life you desire. When you stay committed and remain consistent, exercising becomes just a routine part of your day. Something you just do, and possibly something youll become passionate about.
Now, you have to be careful during your post-operative journey. It is easy for your mind to trick you into believing that you are on track with exercising and doing everything you should be doing, and your mind might be right. But truth be told, there are no quick fixes in this life. We can take-on an exercise regimen for four weeks and not see much weight-loss at all. This is when the problem starts. Americans are used to speed and efficiency. We want fast results, and when we dont get them we become frustrated and we give-up. We throw up our hands and say this is useless. Patience my friends . patience.
So just what can you do to get on track and stay consistent with exercising? What can you do to avoid that give-up attitude? Try these tips.
1. Be honest with yourself: Only you know the truth, but it is very easy for your conscious mind to rationalize that you cant exercise or that you just dont have the time to do it. In other wordsto make excuses. Be aware excuses and dont let them overtake you.
2. Make a commitment to yourself: Hey, if you sit down and really make the commitment that you are going to exercise at least 3 days a week for six months, theres a better chance youll succeed. And I guarantee youll see resultstremendous ones.
3. Stay off the scale for 2 months: Scales can be deceiving. Stay away from them because if you see something you dont like, that give-up attitude is waiting right around the corner, a perfect recipe for failure.
4. Dont make excuses: Anytime you make an excuse for not being able to exercise on a given day, it means that other things in your life are more important to you than your health. Keep this in mind: What can possibly be more important than your health? Well, nothing, because all of those other things that come before exercise are meaningless if youre six feet under.
5. Believe in yourself: Belief is conviction. When you put your mind to something and stay committed, you will succeed.