Tired of excuses? Try these steps to get fit and stay fit!

Tired of excuses? Try these steps to get fit and stay fit!

By Sean Foy, M.A.
Learn more about Sean Foy and all of our Nutrilite health experts.

Have you ever heard yourself saying, “I’ve tried to exercise before but I just can’t seem to stick with it!” For many of us, exercise is at the bottom of our to-do list. If we get to it … we get to it! We know that exercise is good for us, will help us lose weight or keep weight off, and is the best thing for our health, but for some reason or another:

“I don’t have the time!”
“I am not motivated!”
“Exercise is a pain!”
“I don’t like to sweat!”
“I hate exercise!
… our best intentions seem to fail!

I want to encourage you, don’t give up! Whatever your challenge or whatever your experiences have been I want to share with you proven steps and helpful strategies to help you get fit and stay fit!

Getting started or starting all over again!

1. You CAN do it!
The first step to getting started and creating an active physically fit lifestyle is to begin believing that you can do it! No matter what your past experiences have been in getting or staying fit, no matter how many times you have tried and failed in the past … you have a choice right now to take responsibility for your future. Commit to changing today!

2. Determine your goals
Making fitness a regular part of your life entails “getting real” with yourself, identifying your current fitness level, and determining the level of fitness you want to achieve.

• Where are you right now? (Which statement below best represents you?)
• I plan to exercise (at least three days per week) in the next six months.
• I plan to exercise (at least three days per week) in the next month.
• I am taking action now to exercise (at least three days per week).
• I have been exercising regularly (at least three days per week) for at least the last six months.
• What do you “wish” to accomplish in the future? Ask yourself, “If I were as healthy and as fit as I could possibly be, what would I look like? What would I feel like? What would be different about me? How would being fit and healthy benefit my life?” Take a few moments to dream and write down anything that comes to your mind.
• What do you “want” to accomplish in the next year?Break down what you would like to accomplish in the next week, month, three months, six months, and the next year as it relates to your health and fitness.
• What “ways” will help you reach your desired goals?Relating to your fitness program, ask yourself this question, “What is one thing that I can start doing on a regular basis that I KNOW will help me reach my desired fitness goals? Maybe it is getting up earlier to walk before work, committing to a fitness event (5K run or a charity walk), or hiring a personal trainer. Take some time to brainstorm the possibilities.
• What are you “willing” to do to reach your goals? Be realistic about the obstacles that could stop you from getting back or staying on track. Do you travel a lot, have small children, or work strange hours – are you willing to look for ways to find fitness time that might not be the norm? Set up accountability systems to help “coach” and support you to do the things you know are best for you.

3. Check your fitness expectations
Thoughts of “I am going to get skinny in a month” or “I am going to work out every day of the week for two hours a day” can sink your fitness plan before you even begin. Setting unrealistic fitness expectations can lead to disappointment about progress, decrease self-confidence, and cause termination of your fitness program.
Instead of setting unrealistic goals and results, start your new fitness routine by systematically “planning experiences” that you know you can achieve.

Instead of beginning your future fitness program with the idea that you will exercise six days a week when you have not exercised in six months, begin by planning to:

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator three out of five days this week.
2. Park your car a little farther away and walk into work.
3. Walk for 10 minutes, three days this week, at lunch.
4. Perform your 4-3-2-1 Workout for 10 minutes at least three days this week.

Remember, you don’t have to be perfect to be personally fit! If you miss an exercise session or were inactive for a short period of time, which will happen, don’t beat yourself up. Simply assess your lifestyle at the time, learn from it, forgive yourself, and plan to get back into your new active lifestyle as soon as possible.

Maintaining an active healthy lifestyle requires confidence, a good plan, persistence, and most importantly personal forgiveness! Put this all together and the future of your fitness looks very bright!