If you're having trouble getting
your exercise program started, try
just easing into it by starting
to walk for short periods of
time. This won't take much of your
time and you can start today! Half
the battle is just getting started. You
can easily conquer that by just going out
for a ten minute walk - today!
Don't put
it off because you don't have the time, or
because you don't have the money to buy equipment.
Those excuses won't fly for this. Just
get out and take a walk! If
you haven't exercised for a while, start with
just ten to fifteen minutes. Gradually build
up to 30 to 60 minutes, daily. If you're
like most people, you'll start to really
enjoy this time and you'll love the way
it makes you feel. Around this
time of year there are lots of short
(one to six mile) walking and jogging competitions
and also similar events for charities.
These are GREAT motivation for you
to train (walk) on a regular basis and it
gives you a goal to work toward. Many of my
clients use competitions, one after another,
to stay motivated and focused on their
goals.
Now, don't
think you have to be in great shape or
be able to walk really fast to do these. In
fact, how you compare to others is not the
issue here. The issue is you working consistently
toward a goal, and getting fit and
healthy as you do that. Check
local sports and bicycle shops for fliers announcing
upcoming walking / running events. Send
in your registration now so that you're committed
to it. Start training for it (walking) and
write down what you plan to do each week to
be ready for the big day.
Chances are
you'll get hooked on this stuff. Once
you've achieved that goal find another event
and start training for that. Here's
what Becky did..
At age 46
I was not going to let my weight consume my
life anymore. I am very goal oriented so you
suggested that I set exercise goals
of participating in walking
competitions. I planned to do
a 3.1 mile walk that was almost three
months away. I walked daily following all the
of your instructions on how to train for it.
It felt so good to finish that race
even though I was still about
200 pounds and came in third to
last out of about 150 people. I knew at that
point that I would be successful at
losing every pound I wanted
to lose.
My next two
goals were a 6.2 mile walk and my ultimate
goal was to walk a marathon, 26.2 miles. I
achieved the 6.2 mile race goal a couple of
months after the 3.1 and I was still
almost last to finish, but that
didn't matter. A few months earlier
I couldn't walk down my driveway without
huffing and puffing. Last
fall I did it. I walked a marathon. My family
is still amazed at my accomplishments.
It was so much fun. When I crossed
that finish line, the feeling
was incredible. Oh, I lost over 100 pounds
in the process of all this training.
Thanks again Greg for all your help.
Becky
Houston, TX
