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Fit Factor: Staying with it ... for life!
Posted on Jun 22nd 2007 6:00AM by Martha EdwardsOne of my pet peeves is people who say things like, 'I can't wait until I'm off this diet so I don't have to go to the gym anymore ... ' and 'when I'm done this diet, I'll eat an entire large pizza on my own ...'.I mean, kudos to them for sticking to their plan temporarily, but don't they realize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a life-long thing? It's not about vanity, about losing the pounds, about fitting in to those college jeans. At least it shouldn't be, anyway. It should be about your health -- because really, that's the most important thing.When you get started on a fitness regime, the tough part isn't the beginning, when you're high on endorphins and getting used to the whole 'feeling healthy' thing. It's keeping it up, working through plateaus, putting it first even when you're bored with your activities. There's only so far you can go in a certain activity before it's just not much of a challenge anymore -- then what?
The answer is simple enough -- challenge yourself. Push yourself through those plateaus by setting new goals, expanding the limits of what you thought you could achieve. You can also try to encourage others -- for example, if you're a yoga enthusiast, why not become a yoga instructor? If you're in to team sports, why not leave behind the rec league you're in for some more serious competition? If you're a runner, do a marathon. Or if you normally workout solo, why not join a team?
It's natural that sometimes, after you've done an activity for years, it starts to get boring, as the newness wears off. Don't get me wrong -- this isn't always the case. But for me, I usually tire of the same old same old. So mix it up. Like, if you're a skier, starts heading to other hills once in a while. Maybe you could even take a ski vacation to somewhere you've never been before. Take advantage of your good health and do something you've never done before. Ever tried wakeboarding? Frisbee golf? White Water Rafting? You should -- Why not this summer?
I think the last point I want to make is that you should plan to do something active every day for the rest of your life. It doesn't have to be something big -- it can be as simple as walking to the corner store, swinging with your kids in the park, riding your bike. Work, the house and TV can all wait. You put so much effort in to everything -- why not your health? Losing weight is great but staying healthy for life is the most important thing.
For more tips on making activity a life-long habit, check out this helpful information from Yahoo Health
The answer is simple enough -- challenge yourself. Push yourself through those plateaus by setting new goals, expanding the limits of what you thought you could achieve. You can also try to encourage others -- for example, if you're a yoga enthusiast, why not become a yoga instructor? If you're in to team sports, why not leave behind the rec league you're in for some more serious competition? If you're a runner, do a marathon. Or if you normally workout solo, why not join a team?
It's natural that sometimes, after you've done an activity for years, it starts to get boring, as the newness wears off. Don't get me wrong -- this isn't always the case. But for me, I usually tire of the same old same old. So mix it up. Like, if you're a skier, starts heading to other hills once in a while. Maybe you could even take a ski vacation to somewhere you've never been before. Take advantage of your good health and do something you've never done before. Ever tried wakeboarding? Frisbee golf? White Water Rafting? You should -- Why not this summer?
I think the last point I want to make is that you should plan to do something active every day for the rest of your life. It doesn't have to be something big -- it can be as simple as walking to the corner store, swinging with your kids in the park, riding your bike. Work, the house and TV can all wait. You put so much effort in to everything -- why not your health? Losing weight is great but staying healthy for life is the most important thing.
For more tips on making activity a life-long habit, check out this helpful information from Yahoo Health
