We’ve all been there- you get an inkling, a whiff of hesitant contemplation, a subtle spark that generates an abundance of thought and you say the words ‘I want to be fit and healthy’ which makes your motives entirely legitimate- contract binding even. We place mental effort into meaningless deliberation which in a nutshell means a toss between exercise vs netflix. But how does one become the next Kayla Itsines and make the transition from lying on the couch to actually getting on the damn treadmill?
Exercise for the right reasons
If you exercise purely for aesthetical reasons such as wanting a ‘thigh gap’, ‘bikini body’ or a ‘six pack’, then you’re less likely to stick to your exercise routine. We tend to have the perception that if we have a particular body type or our own perception of the ‘perfect body’, that our lives will be better. In reality this isn’t the case. There’s more to you than your physical appearance and whilst consistent exercise may lead to weight loss, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will achieve your ‘perfect body’. With that said, exercise for the right reasons- because you want to exercise because it makes you feel better not only physically but emotionally too. By physically, I mean the health benefits such as being less likely to get chronic diseases or having stronger muscles. And by emotionally, for me exercise is a stress relief during times when life could be better (such as when it’s exam time and I’ve come to the sadistic realization that I’m supremely screwed) as it relaxes me and clears my mind.
Do something you enjoy
Just because that chick who jogs past you everyday likes jogging, it doesn’t mean you necessarily will (I mean, come on people – it’s Melbourne, it’s wet, raining and the weather is as cold as my pessimistic heart, so jogging is the last thing on my mind). Invest in finding exercise/s you enjoy- try something you’ve never tried before like bikraym yoga, spin classes. Or to curb the crappy Melbournian weather, why not try something indoors like pilaties, zumba or salsa dancing? There are a range of active things to do, it’s only a matter of finding which one is best for you!
Consistency is Key
We all know how traumatic it is when mum or dad comes home and they’re fine one day and nek minute, all hell breaks loose and they seem to be on the verge of annihilation. Mood swings don’t get us anywhere and the same goes with exercise. If you exercise like a maniac one week and then stop another, you’re not going to get the long-term benefits of exercise. Try to make exercise part of your routine – like exercise before or even during netflix.
Never give up
Try to avoid thinking that exercise is ‘all or nothing’. Just because you missed an exercise sesh or didn’t exercise long enough for one day, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Remember, for exercise to truly be effective, it needs to be looked as something you enjoy rather than a chore purely carried out for the sake of it. There are some days when it’s perfectly fine to not stick to your exercise routine – perhaps it’s because you’re exhausted, other commitments and because you really can’t be stuffed. Just don’t beat yourself up for it!
Exercise for the right reasons
If you exercise purely for aesthetical reasons such as wanting a ‘thigh gap’, ‘bikini body’ or a ‘six pack’, then you’re less likely to stick to your exercise routine. We tend to have the perception that if we have a particular body type or our own perception of the ‘perfect body’, that our lives will be better. In reality this isn’t the case. There’s more to you than your physical appearance and whilst consistent exercise may lead to weight loss, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you will achieve your ‘perfect body’. With that said, exercise for the right reasons- because you want to exercise because it makes you feel better not only physically but emotionally too. By physically, I mean the health benefits such as being less likely to get chronic diseases or having stronger muscles. And by emotionally, for me exercise is a stress relief during times when life could be better (such as when it’s exam time and I’ve come to the sadistic realization that I’m supremely screwed) as it relaxes me and clears my mind.
Do something you enjoy
Just because that chick who jogs past you everyday likes jogging, it doesn’t mean you necessarily will (I mean, come on people – it’s Melbourne, it’s wet, raining and the weather is as cold as my pessimistic heart, so jogging is the last thing on my mind). Invest in finding exercise/s you enjoy- try something you’ve never tried before like bikraym yoga, spin classes. Or to curb the crappy Melbournian weather, why not try something indoors like pilaties, zumba or salsa dancing? There are a range of active things to do, it’s only a matter of finding which one is best for you!
Consistency is Key
We all know how traumatic it is when mum or dad comes home and they’re fine one day and nek minute, all hell breaks loose and they seem to be on the verge of annihilation. Mood swings don’t get us anywhere and the same goes with exercise. If you exercise like a maniac one week and then stop another, you’re not going to get the long-term benefits of exercise. Try to make exercise part of your routine – like exercise before or even during netflix.
Never give up
Try to avoid thinking that exercise is ‘all or nothing’. Just because you missed an exercise sesh or didn’t exercise long enough for one day, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Remember, for exercise to truly be effective, it needs to be looked as something you enjoy rather than a chore purely carried out for the sake of it. There are some days when it’s perfectly fine to not stick to your exercise routine – perhaps it’s because you’re exhausted, other commitments and because you really can’t be stuffed. Just don’t beat yourself up for it!
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