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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Yes, Make Time for Exercise! The saying “Don’t Put Off For Tomorrow, What You Can Do Today” is true for many things including making time for our exercise routines during the holidays. Since we’re smack in the middle of the holiday season and busy, we may find it hard to get to the gym. But I suggest that we “Make the Time” instead of trying to “find” the time. What’s the difference? Making the time means making a commitment instead of the “maybe later”.
Yes, it’s the holiday season. Yes we’re shopping, traveling, eating, drinking, eating, and eating; okay, we’re busy! But why do some of us exercise all year long including now and why do some of us lose our motivation especially during busy times? I believe that there is no secret or magic will- power but just habit and a few tools that will help to keep us going. I always think about this when someone comments on my being in shape. I usually reply by saying ” it took a lot of time” (of course I say thank you first!). Upon reflection I also always remind myself that “I make the time” and this is what made it a habit to carry me through during the busy times! And I’ll add, no matter what (unless I’m sick of course, or on a lazy vacation). Now, the folks who know me usually say “but June, you’re in the gym all the time”. While this is true most days, I can’t wait to leave the gym cause I’m in it too much! But my motto really is “consistency is key” not perfection, so let’s make time because there’s always another holiday, business meeting or occasion to skip.
When I first started to exercise I never thought about the amount of commitment it would take me to shape up, but looking back now, I realize it was a process and not an overnight one at that. I’m just glad I started and I didn’t over think it. And I’m so glad that even during busy times, I still make the time even if the amount of time is much less, because consistency and habit did give me some results (click on my photo book cover and read more of my story, if you’re curious!). Here then are a few things we can remind ourselves during this holiday season when we’re more likely to skip.
It’s Not about “All or Nothing at all”. If we get to the gym late, it’s better than not at all. If we shorten our exercise session, it’s better than not exercising at all. If we miss one day, then making it to next our exercise session is better than not exercising at all. Each thing we do and each thing we accomplish, become successes in their own right. This includes keeping our exercise routine going even when we shorten it. I always tell myself and my clients that consistency counts, not perfection, and when we feel a sense of accomplishment, that’s something!
Make it a Priority. Taking care of our health is almost like having a jealous lover (I bet this sounds weird), it requires our time and effort. We may want to feel better, look better and be healthier, but do we make it a priority more times than not? Sometimes we just can’t have it all! So if we’re trying to burn the candle at both ends, we may need to decide where our priorities lie. Examples of not prioritizing enough? Examples might be when we try to stay too late at the party, go to too many parties, have one drink too many, try to do everything and aim for perfection at everything. Maybe we can skip one workout, and one party instead of going to all the parties and no workouts?
They Can’t All Be Gems. Again, another way of saying this one is “There is No Such Thing as Perfection”. When we’re tired we can work out less intensely, but we can still burn some of those extra calories from last night’s party, can’t we?
So whatever our health & fitness goals are, however long we think it will take to reach them, we can keep it going this holiday season one day at a time. Not only will we be taking steps that make us feel better now, we will increase our chance for long- term success at improving our health and fitness in the new year. “If we can do it now, we can continue to do it all year long”. And besides, we can make a bit of a dent in our holiday calorie burning, and lessen the guilt too many of us feel when we eat during this time of year.
Follow me Junefit on Twitter every Sunday for a new tool taken from my book, and follow my blogs at Voskos Greek Yogurt
Make Time for Exercise!
June M. Lay M.S.
June Fit
Enjoying my tips? Get a head start thinking about a new year weight loss goal with my book, published and available. Here’s the link to Amazon, http://www.amazon.com:80/Its-Not-Diet-Creative-Eating/dp/1432743597/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259605985&sr=1-1
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