August

Are you really too busy to Exercise?

Excerpt from the Wallaceburg Courier Press

Did you know that September is the second biggest month for fitness club memberships after January? The kids are back at school, holidays are over and the whether is starting to turn. Most of us know how important exercise is to good mental and physical health. We know that it relieves stress, increases energy levels, slows the onset of age related ailments. It lowers blood pressure and retards diabetes. It even increases flexibility, improves sleep and strengthens the immune system. Oh yes, you might even lose weight. If exercise were a drug we would all want to be on it. With all these benefits why are more of us not breaking down the doors of local fitness clubs to get in.?

It’s lifestyle! We are too busy. This is the number one reason according to area fitness club owners. We have time for other things like TV or entertainment. Let’s face it. It’s a question of priorities. It takes motivation to overcome the inertia of the couch and head downtown for a workout. Once you are “at the club” it’s still difficult. If you can just make it through that first 15 minutes it does get easier. An hour later you feel great and are glad you came. Each time you exercise the struggle is the same. What’s worse is that motivation we talked about earlier is usually a desire to lose weight or to put on some serious muscle. We are looking for some quick easy wins, and the results just don’t come fast enough. We lose our motivation. Eventually it’s just easier to quit trying. Exercise is important but It’s just so hard.

Perhaps there is an easier way. Forget the weight thing, it’s a side benefit. Focus on wellness. On how great you will feel. On your increased energy; remember how good you felt at the end of the last work out, not on how difficult it was to get started. Now, build it into your schedule three or four times a week. If you stick with it for just a few weeks it does get easier. The initial aching muscles disappear. And you paid for a year, so let’s get your money’s worth. Humans are creatures of habit. Most of our day is made up of routine. It is always difficult to change that routine, but once you settle into your new routine that includes time for exercise it will become part of your new healthier lifestyle.

Let’ try one more time and see if we can stick with it