Exercising daily

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

“Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.”

We all know exercise is very important for us. A healthy lifestyle can save us from many diseases. But even then we do not follow. WHY?

·         Because somewhere in the corner of our mind we explain ourselves that I am fine now, no emergency, so why to take so much botheration, will do when time comes…. etc. Like when some of us have cholesterol or diabetes we take medicines and continue eating fast food and do not exercise. We do not change our lifestyle and remain in our comfort zone. We think medicine will cure everything.

·         Most common reason of not exercising is - when to work out, I do not have time. Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.  When one has a heart attack and is hospitalized then the person has time to stay in the hospital. Everyone has sympathy with him because he is unwell. This kind of “importance” is liked by many people. Everything becomes self explanatory as now he is a victim of something serious.

·         If we see people around us do not exercise then we feel that we are also right by not exercising.

We should aim to include exercise in our daily routine as we brush our teeth and take bath, so that we can prevent any medical condition. To have an ideal weight is important but sometimes people who are overweight or obese think it is impossible for them to reduce weight. They either do not start or give up soon. Weight gained over years cannot go away in a few days; it will take time, have patience and be persistent. When you visit a yoga studio or gym or participate in a marathon and see even older people are fit and fine, then you feel out of place and realize how fitness matters. So, to motivate yourself to exercise:

·         Have exercise lovers around you.

·         Work out at a fixed time, so you are mentally prepared for the routine.

·         Wear your exercising clothes to make movements smooth.

·         If you find exercise boring, keep changing your exercise. For example, include yoga, swimming, brisk walking, aerobics, running, dancing, cycling, playing some outdoor game, work outs at gym etc. on different days. Main aim is of moving your body.

·         Join some gym or yoga studio where you work with a group.

·         When it comes to laziness, think of the benefits of exercise and imagine your toned body.    

·    Write down how you feel after every workout. Whenever you feel low just read these notes which will energize you.

·         If you are above 40, then exercise will help in delaying aging and will keep you fit. Today, no one wants to be dependent on someone. We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.

·         Give yourself micro-challenges and long term challenges.

·         Compete with yourself.

·         If you do not know where to start, start with walking. You will find number of videos with variety of workouts online; choose which you like. Workout with that. You can go for a variety like yoga, aerobics or simple exercises depending on your interest.

·         Get a fitness tracker – a fitness band like Fit bit or any fitness tracker app. Through them you can track many things like step count, calories burnt, kilometers covered, etc. Through this you can set your mini goals.

The first thing to keep in mind is that in order for something to become ‘routine’, you need to stick at it. Once you’ve set up a system for when/how/where you’re going to exercise, keep at it, even if you really don’t feel like it. It’ll become easier over time and will eventually become a habit that you don’t even need to think about. Decision is yours, whatever you follow or not follow. Even indecision is a decision.

 It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

                                               Happy exercising!