Talk About: Desperate to Get Fit, but Distracted by Food and E-mail

In One-on-One With Personal Trainer Chad, a ThirdAger asks:
"Every day I resolve to exercise but when I get home from work, I eat and play on the computer instead. How do I get motivated to exercise first and then check my e-mail? I live alone, so have no schedule of any kind. How do I get motivated?" -- WR

Personal Trainer Chad responds:
One way to stay motivated is to constantly remind yourself that a worthwhile payoff lies ahead ... try to picture how you'll look and feel three months down the road.

Once you take action and begin to exercise, the hardest part is over. The trick is getting going in the first place ... to make exercise a habit, a part of your daily routine. Once you see the results, you will become much more motivated. Action creates motivation!

However, prior to taking action, I recommend setting realistic, measurable goals. Goals focus your workout program and clarify what you are trying to achieve. As you attain each goal, you gain encouragement and further motivation.

Here is how to achieve the goals you set and obtain the results you deserve:

1. Make sure your goals are measurable. A vague goal, such as "I want to be fit," gives you nothing to shoot for. Decide when and what you are going to achieve, such as "I want to lose 2 percent of my body fat by August 1."

2. Be realistic. Make sure your goals are attainable. If you set your expectations too high, you will get frustrated and will be more likely to quit. Make sure, however, that your goals are not too easy; they should be challenging. When you achieve a challenging goal, your pride and satisfaction will create more motivation. 3. Set short-term goals as stepping stones to your "ultimate" (long-term) goals. If your long-term goal is to bench press 200 pounds in one year, then set short-term weekly or monthly goals of the weight you will need to bench press to achieve your long term goal. It is a lot easier to accomplish a goal one day or week at a time, such as increasing 2.5 or five pounds a week, than it is to think that you need to increase your bench press by 50 pounds. Another way of assuring that you stay motivated is to make exercise fun. Here are some techniques for making your workout something to look forward to ... " Get three tips for making workouts fun in One-on-One With Personal Trainer Chad.
1 2 Next
Source: Health & Wellness

Print Article