It’s easy to get in a rut—to sit all day at work only to come home and plop down on the couch for the remainder of the evening. And even though you know you should get some exercise, the thought of it is exhausting…it is much easier to keep sitting. And so you do. Inactivity leads to complacency.
Stepping out of the sedentary lifestyle is both a physical and mental commitment. A key point in developing an active lifestyle is choosing activities you enjoy. You don’t have to go to the gym and run on a treadmill, you don’t have to do 5 million burpees, you don’t have to do things that make you dread exercise.
Physical Commitment
Play your favorite sport! Go swimming, walking, roller blading, hiking, or rock climbing. Take a dance class or join a yoga studio. Figure out what works best for you and get out and do it. And if it gets boring, try something new. The key is enjoying it. You want to make this a lifestyle, not just a weeklong fad.
Mental Commitment
The mental commitment to physical activity is essential. “Mind over matter” you always hear, and it is true. You have to stay positive. No more “I can’t”, “I’m too tired”, or “I’ll start Monday”…take control of your thought pattern and remind yourself you CAN (and should)! And do it! Good decisions, often times, lead to more good decisions. Don’t get discouraged when you’re not perfect. You shouldn’t strive for perfection, but for health! Think about the big picture.
Our bodies are designed to be active. And there are many health benefits that come with an active lifestyle. A healthy weight and blood pressure, more energy, better sleep, reduced stress, and better self esteem can all be results of consistent exercise. Not to mention, it reduces your chance of developing potentially fatal health conditions. So instead of sitting and sitting…and sitting some more, let’s think of our health and get moving!
Learn more about Dr. Ayoola and Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
