By now, most of us know the many benefits of exercise including cardiovascular health, less risk of some cancers, weight control, better sleep, controlling diabetes and so on. I could fill a few pages just listing the benefits. But to stick with exercise for the long run, it is helpful for each of us to articulate the one or two reasons that tip the balance. By tip the balance, I mean the reason that will get you out of bed in the morning when it is still dark, the reason that will enable you to put a work project on hold and walk or run, the reason that will keep you going when boredom, bad weather, or any number of cons outweigh the pros. For me, the reason is participation in sports like kayaking, hiking, cycling and cross country skiing. For someone else, it might be the need to offset the stress of a demanding career, or to maintain health well into older age in order to continue care of a disabled child. If you are trying to make the transition from someone who is thinking about starting an exercise program or you are struggling with consistency, sit down in a quiet place and write out your reasons, type them out on a sheet of paper and add some descriptive pictures if necessary. Keep your reasons on your night table or in your wallet or above your desk. This way, when the going gets tough, you’ll have your reasons to keep going.
Takeaway: I frequently have clients who are struggling with weight loss tell me that they don’t have the time to cook. I recently discovered a website called www.thefresh20.com that will provide a plan for 5 weekly dinners with shopping list and recipes (choice of classic, veggie or non-gluten) all made from just 20 fresh ingredients. Add one dinner of grilled salmon and one dinner out and you’re done.
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On Sep 27, 2012