One of the hardest things to “get to” when making lifestyle changes, is the committment to become more fit.  Yes, I’m sure we already park away from the store to get those few extra steps in — but fitness is more than that.  It’s part and parcel of the lifestyle changes you are making to get into better shape, AND live a l-o-n-g-e-r life!

Here are 10 tips that I came across the other day to help you commit to fitness.  Where suitable, I’ve interjected my comments using a double asterisk (**):

1. Project into the future and visualize how you will look and feel in three months if continue on the path you are on right now. Then visualize in detail how you will look and feel in three months if you begin a regular exercise program today. Keep the future in the front of your mind.

** Visualizations are images we create in our mind.  The word means, literally, to see in your mind.  Your mind makes mental movies that you will play over and over again.  Our brain and it’s subconscious functions ‘remember’ the things we see – the smile of a new baby, the rainbow over the meadow, etc.  We can recreate these images over and over again in our minds.  Thus, creating ‘movies’ of what we want does the same thing.  It is entered directly into our subconscious as what has actually been seen by us.  It is real to our brain.  We have actually seen the image we created.  Thus we create the reality we want.

2. Figure out what matters most to you. If you truly want to have a fit body, cut out thoughts of the old you. The past does not equal the future. You can only affect the present decisions you make. Your body is an amazing organism that responds to both positive and negative stimulus (exercise or sedentary lifestyle) every day. The choice is completely yours. Exercise is not something anyone can do for you.

3. Have commitment in areas that matter the most. If your health and fitness are a priority to you, keep you exercise appointments the same way you would keep a doctors appointment or a parent teacher conference. Know you are worth the 20 to 60 minutes you take for exercise. Keep fitness high on your priority list.

4. Catch yourself before you steer away. For example, if you miss one workout, don’t make it two. Immediately plan to get in your next exercise session regardless of life’s events. You will feel so much better if you do, versus the guilt you will carry around if you don’t exercise. When two missed sessions becomes three, the weeks then become months, making it more challenging to build momentum again.

5. Look for evidence that your workouts are working. Notice that you are moving better, posture is improved, you are feeling less bloated, pants are getting loose, energy is up, metabolism is kicking in and you are attaining a firmer, fitter more defined body. Continue to reinforce the positive results by engaging in regular exercise.

6. No matter how far “gone” you feel, get up and get moving! It doesn’t matter that you have not exercised in weeks, months or years or that you had three slices of pizza and chocolate cake for dinner last night. What matters is that every day you have a new opportunity to make improvements in your body. It’s never too late. Even at 90 years old, you can build muscle and get stronger.

7. Commit without judgment. This is not a race or a competition. This is your life. Do your very best each workout and each meal. Discipline is an important success building component. Just the fact that you are getting up and exercising even if some days are not as intense as others is both important and effective.

8. Be true to yourself about your lack of commitment. You are only fooling yourself if you are justifying missed exercise sessions. You make the decision to exercise (or not to) emotionally and then justify it logically. Of course your life is full and demanding, but wouldn’t you be better able to handle all of life’s events in a fit and strong body?

9. When you miss an exercise session, it affects other people! I’ll say that again!!! When you miss an exercise session, it affects other people. When you don’t exercise, the rest of your day, you have guilt on your shoulders. You will then feel guilty or even angry with yourself. Since your mind can only hold one thought at a time, that anger and guilt reflect your actions throughout your day. Maybe your husband, child or co-worker gets to feel or see the end result of your not exercising. Maybe it comes out at the drive-thru or in a bar after work. On the other hand, performing your exercise routine can have very positive effects on your entire day and everyone in it.

** I exercise with my son.  He love to catch a ball, so while I ride the stationary cycle we throw a small rubber ball around.  He loves it, and he gets some exercise as well!  It’s a win-win situation.  When I miss a day — he gets upset that we didn’t have our time together, and playing catch with mom just isn’t the same.

10. Missing your workout creates darkness in your life. That darkness expands, disempowers and grows. It disempowers you and pushes your energy down. Some people get so far pushed down that they need medication. Coming back to your senses and getting your body moving is always the positive way to turn your body and life around.

** You miss one day — and say that that is fine.  Day 2, then 3 then finally you’ve stopped entirely.  It’s OK to miss a day or two — but beyond that, stop yourself! 

Here is to your weight loss success!

Mohammed

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