Lasting results come from a sustained effort over time. It’s not how much exercise you do in a burst, it’s what you do over the long haul that counts. You need to build a habit of exercise. To do this I suggest you work out how much exercise that , ideally, you’d like to do each week and then ask yourself how much of this you can agree to do every week for as long as you live. This will be your baseline. Your baseline might be one circuit class a week and two walks or it might be something like mine was at the start, which was, two aerobic classes a week. If you do more than your baseline, then, well done! You can congratulate yourself. However, if you set yourself more than you’re prepared to do every week for the rest of your life you might, quite possibly give up, because you’ll feel dejected and exercise might all seem too much.
But if you exercise every week, as a minimum, the amount you have agreed to do for the rest of your life, gradually, over a period of time, you will build up a habit of exercise and exercise will become an automatic part of your everyday life, just like cleaning your teeth, showering or getting dressed. Don’t expect too much of yourself at first. Aim for a manageable,sustained effort. A start stop approach to exercise is a waste of time, as it will have you on a yo-yo of fitness and shape forever. A gradual, consistent approach to exercise will bring about a lasting positive change.
I’ve been exercising regularly since I was 41 years old and in that time I’ve never heard one person, after exercising say that they wish they hadn’t done their exercise. On the other hand what I’ve learnt consistently in relation to exercise all these years are comments like, “I’m so glad I did my workout. ” or ” I’m so glad I went for my walk or my run or my bike ride.” Exercise makes one feel more in tune with life and more pleased and proud of oneself. I know what exercise has done for me and I wish the same for you.
