Lifestyle
Make the Time to Exercise!
By
Nov 16, 2008 - 11:47:05 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - The saying "Don't Put Off For Tomorrow, What You Can Do Today" is true for many things I think, including our making time for exercise. We're at the brink of the holiday season and many of us will become so busy that we may have a hard time "finding time" to make it to the gym. I thought about this one day after someone at my gym asked me how I got in such great shape. I replied " it took time" (of course, I said thank you first!). Upon reflection I thought, I don't find the time, I really "make the time"! Now, the folks who know me usually say "but June, you're in the gym all the time" for work. While this is true most days, I can't wait to leave the gym cause I'm in it too much! But my motto really is "consistency" not perfection, so let's "Make the Time" because there's always an occasion, conflict of time, errand or reason to skip taking care of ourselves.

When I first started to exercise I never thought about the amount of time or commitment it would take me to shape up. But looking back now, I realize it was a process and not an overnight one at that. I'm just glad that I started and I didn't over think it. And I'm so glad that even now during busy times I still make the time, even if the amount of time is much less, because consistency does give results. And aside from shaping up, I became healthier along the way. I often hear from doctors that I recover from illness and injuries so well because I'm in shape. Here then are a few things we can remind ourselves during this holiday season when we're more likely to skip.
It's Not about "All or Nothing ". If we get to the gym late, it's better than not at all. If we shorten our exercise session, it's better than not exercising at all. If we miss one day, making it to next our exercise session is better than missing another day. Each time we exercise becomes a success in its own right. This includes keeping our exercise routine going even when we shorten it, for example.

Make it a Priority. Taking care of our health is almost like having a jealous mistress (I bet this sounds weird), it requires our time and effort. We may want to feel better, look better and be healthier, but do we make it a priority more times than not? Sometimes we just can't have it all! So if we're trying to burn the candle at both ends, we may need to decide where our priorities lie. Examples of not prioritizing enough? Examples might be when we try to stay too late at the party or go to too many parties, or we have one drink too many all week even if it is holiday season, or when we try to do everything, aim for perfection at everything, but give up when we can't.

Make it Convenient. I like to suggest that we choose a convenient gym near our home or work especially when our time is limited. Let's make a plan for each week and choose the most convenient time so that we set ourselves up for success. Many times I hear that an exercise session was skipped due to meetings, children, evening parties etc. Maybe the early morning is the most convenient time? And yes, it is a trade-off with an hour's less sleep if early morning really is the time we're less likely to get caught up in other things! Let's make the time mentally in advance, and when the alarm goes off we're less likely to go back to sleep.

They Can't All Be Gems. Another way of saying this one is "There is No Such Thing as Perfection". When we're tired we can shorten our exercise session or work out less intensely, but we can still burn some of those extra calories from last night's dinner and feel better too, can't we?

So whatever our health & fitness goals are, however long we think it will take to reach them, we can keep it going holiday season. Not only will we be taking steps that make us feel better now, we will be increasing our chance for long term success at improving our health & fitness in the new year. Have family members or friends that you'd like to motivate to increase their health & fitness? Just email me their e mail address, just in time for the holiday season.

Let's Make the Time!

June M. Lay M.S.
www.junefit.com
This week's Motivation Tip "If You're Hungry, it's too Late!" is more important than ever during the holiday season!
(Can't link to my motivation page? Go to http://www.junefit.com/tips_motivation.htm)

Junefit ranks top 10 at Google for "fitness tips" search out of over 60 million results!

Junefit is included in Google's top ranked women's health resources http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Women's_Health/Resources/

June is Lifestyle Columnist at www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/index.shtml, a daily health news network. (c) junefit 2008

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright by HealthNewsDigest.com