I have come across many people who state forlornly that they really want to exercise. While I don’t doubt their desire, I find myself thinking, “Do you really?” In other words, how ready are you to change your habits? So many people say they want to exercise but are unable to follow through with their intent.
Behavior change, and let’s face it – exercise is a behavior – is not a one step process. We know that in order to be successful, behavior change occurs in a staged process. Once you understand how these various steps align, you will be better prepared for success. One of the most common mistakes made is going from doing nothing to doing too much. Epic fail! I believe that the more a person understands the process, the more prepared they are to tackle the often nebulous idea of change.
If you find yourself wanting physical activity to be an integral part of your lifestyle, here are 3 tips to get you started on the right path.
- Why do you want to get active? Formulate a list of why getting active is important to you. Why does it matter to you? What results are you looking for?
- Ask yourself when you want to begin. Do you want to begin now or in the near future? This is important because the goals you set depend on the answer to this question.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This may be the most important tip of all. Realize that you will feel “icky.” This is a normal part of becoming more of who you want to be. Go back to the basics. Review your reasons to become more active. Make sure your goals meet you where you are. Take a deep breath. In nature, there is always an awkward point before the butterfly emerges or the bud blossoms into a rose. It becomes too painful to remain the same; the only way out is forward. Remember, anything you do is better than nothing. Move away from the all or nothing approach. It doesn’t work.
Lasting change is built on positive thinking and positive experiences. Trying to change from a standpoint of guilt or fear is pointless. A certified health and wellness coach can help guide a positive approach to a successfully active life.
As a physical activity and exercise behavior specialist, I can help you learn how to fit exercise into your lifestyle. Given the right approach, you can be successful.
Let’s get going!