Fitness professionals have long been trying to figure out why it is that some people are motivated to exercise and lead an active lifestyle, while others aren’t.  The latest statistics show that more than 60% of adults in the United States do not meet the basic requirements for physical activity.  So just who is motivated  to exercise, and why?  A recent study of 375 exercisers determined that they were motivated internally and experienced fewer barriers to exercise than their counterparts.  When asked to define their motivation, achieving fitness was the number one response.  However, six of the top ten influences were related to feelings, and included:

Well-being
Pep and energy
Enjoyment of activity
Better sleep
Feeling more alert
Feeling more relaxed

Unfortunately, we have no magic pill to get people motivated to take care of their health and to exercise. However, we DO know that by making people aware that the benefits of exercising include the development of positive emotions over time, they are more inclined to begin an exercise program.

If you would like to begin exerecising but are having problems getting started, here are some tips to help you.

The first step is to find an exercise that you do like to do. Try hiking or walking with a friend. Put on headphones and listen to your favorite music or Torah tape. Keep your exercise goals reasonable.  If you are a beginner, a 15-minute brisk walk may be what you can accomplish at first. Build slowly and monitor  your progress. In a month or two, you will be pleasantly surprised when you look back at where you started and how far you’ve come.

Keep the scale in perspective.  Think about the progress you have made even if the weight isn’t coming off as quickly as you would like.  Can you walk further or faster than when you started?  Can you lift heavier weights or do more repetitions?  Do you feel healthier and more energized?  Are your goals realistic and do you have patience? Exercise is progressive.  You need to have patience and set realistic short-term goals for yourself.  You don’t have to run a marathon, lift heavy weight or do hundreds of ab exercises to reap the health benefits of exercise.

Finally, be good to yourself and get some individual attention.  A personal fitness trainer or lifestyle coach may be just what you need.  They can help you identify barriers to success and develop the skills and mindset to overcome them.  Most people need encouragement – it’s human nature,  and working with a professional is a near-guarantee of maintaining consistentcy.

Overcoming obstacles and staying motivated are essential to the success of your exercise program, and will help you “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”

Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a LIFESTYLE FITNESS COACH with over 12 years of professional experience. He is the co-director of the Jerusalem-based weight loss and stress reduction center Lose It! along with Linda Holtz M.Sc. and is available for private consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or by email at [email protected] 

Check out the Lose It! website at www.loseit.co.il

(Alan Freishtat – YWN)