Fitness- Your Way!

Fitness- Your Way!

Let’s begin by acknowledging that just about everyone knows that they should exercise. We know that working against resistance (e.g. weight training) when done properly, increases muscle mass and helps prevent osteoporosis. We know that cardio activities are good for our hearts and help to reduce stress. We all know that exercising is good and a sedentary lifestyle is not. In this information age we are on information overload.  We know what we should do. The difficulty we encounter is not with the knowing, it is with the doing. If you have trouble with the doing, then this article is for you.      So what’s in the way of your doing? No time? No interest?   Not  enough energy?  You’re a teenager at heart and really don’t want to be told what you should do? To teenagers and grownups alike- shoulds don’t feel good. They are not inspiring. They are not fun. And besides, no one should be should be shoulding all over themselves!      Maybe what is needed here is a little creativity, an ounce of passion and a heaping dose of authenticity to kick start and run a your fitness program. To get to authenticity, creativity and passion, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions. Here are some questions to get you started. Grab a piece of paper and pencil and write out the answers: What has been your favorite experience with physical activity? (examples: Do you love the feeling of being in water, the aroma and sound of walking on pine needles, the scent of salt air along the shoreline, the warmth of the sun on your back when cycling, the freedom of dance, the grace of skating or ballet, the increased range of motion of yoga, the mind calming of tai chi?) What  are some safe physical activities that you haven’t tried, but are interested in trying? What is motivating you to think about fitness and read this article? (examples: desire to play with children or grandchildren, to embody a slimmer  image you have of yourself , to feel more energetic and alive, to get out of the house, to socialize, to try new things?) When do you have the most energy? Is morning, noon, or evening better for you to engage in physical activity? How would adding physical activities to your lifestyle enhance it? What effect would it have on your body, mind, spirit? Who else would benefit from you engaging in a physical activity of your choice?      Now that you’ve generated  your authentic answers that have a bit of passion in them because they are about YOU and YOUR interests, how can you use your creativity to put together an enjoyable, doable, sustainable, fitness routine? What is one small step that you are willing to commit to 2 x per week  for the next 2 weeks? On a willingness scale from 1-10 (10 being the most willing) how willing are you to do this tiny baby step? If it is less than 7, make your step even smaller until it is at least a 7 or, go back to your list to find other activities that that have enough passion in them to generate a score of 7.       Remember- you were born a natural athlete. Everyone is. Consider the amount of energy and drive it took you as an infant to overcome gravity to lift your head, to roll over, to crawl, to stand, to walk and to run.  No one taught you these amazing feats- you did them yourself, and if you were like the typical two year old, you had enough energy to exhaust any adult who tried to imitate your movements for a 30 minute period. It was you who accomplished all that. Now as an adult,  life may have gotten in the way of your natural born energy, exuberance and curiosity for movement. But you can recapture it now that you’ve remembered that you once had it. Now you go do it you natural born athlete!  And let Michele or the Doc know how you’re doing or how we can support you in your efforts. All the Best, Michele And Dave Gentile

Tags: creativity, Dr. David Gentile, exercise, fitness, personal preferences, yoga