May 06, 2002 10:34 AM
2214 Views
(Updated May 06, 2002 10:58 AM)
How does one get the perfect balance of mind and body? With the daily pressures of work, family and home, it is very essential to make plans. Of course, plans can always be modified. One such important plan for our lives is exercise. Exercise is very essential on a daily basis. Then it becomes a habit, part of our daily routine. But the first few days are the most difficult. To get up from the bed early morning and wear those shoes is the biggest obstacle resolved if one does accomplish it. Sometimes we need that extra motivation to get us moving. I used to tell myself I am going to exercise everyday and used to end up exercising only 3 times a week. Now that was a bad exercise regime I kept. As a result on the days I used to miss my exercise I would end up cranky.
On the perfect day, I would get up early seven days a week, put on my running shoes and religiously go for my run. That would do wonders for me and my attitude for the rest of the day, knowing that I had accomplished my fitness goal. Once you get started, it's easy to keep going. Most weeks I am only able to rouse myself from sleep and run an average of two to three days. The other days I do floor exercises or stretching while watching TV. I have realised that to plan a basic exercise routine is very essential. It lays the basis for a foundation for fitness. So I would ideally go for a walk, walk up the stairs, instead of taking the elevator(I still do that) around 45 minutes of physical activity everyday. People who are successful at maintaining a lifetime of regular exercise look for opportunities to move. For them something is better than nothing. They vary their workouts to stimulate increases in fitness levels. To them, exercise is a priority. For every excuse that prevents you from taking action, there's an equally compelling reason to just go ahead and do it. Statistics too show that fit people are also eight times less likely to die from heart disease. It helps us keep good quality of life.
What is important is to make exercise a habit. A routine in our lives. Something like brushing our teeth. Something that we just get up and do. And feel good about it. It is important to make the appropriate time for exercise. To make exercise a habit, it needs to be on the agenda in a specific time slot, not on that'to do' list that you turn to'when you have a minute.' As far as making exercise a habit, however, science is on the side of the early birds. People who work out in the mornings are much more likely to stick to their programs than people who leave it until later. No matter what time of the day you don your walking shoes, keep it consistent. Once you figure out where you are going to put the exercise in your day, figure out what kind of workout you're going to do in that slot. Then, be reasonable about how much exercise you're really going to be able to do five days a week, every week, all year long. And once you feel the benefit of it; establish it as a lifestyle.
