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Fitness InformationExercise & Motivation, Part 2: Overcoming Inertia & Effort Started
by:
Tanja Gardner
Copyright 2005 Tanja Gardner
In the 1st article in this series (http://tinyurl.com/8ztbo), we gave you an summary
of the stages of change in Prochaska’s Transtheoretical model. The 1st three of these stages are all simply about effort started. They apply to anyone who’s not actually on a regular basis
elbow grease at the moment. If you were active in the past, but don’t now (i.e. you’re in the “Relapse” stage), then, motivationally speaking, you’re in one of these stages. Simply as a reminder,
the stages are:
- Pre-Contemplation: Once
you’re not active, not thinking simply about it, and actually don’t see why you should be;
- Contemplation: Once
you’re thinking simply about effort active, but not quite available to get about to it yet; and
- Preparation: You’ve thought, you’ve decided, and you’re production
arrangements as you see this – you’re simply just about to start, honestly!
PRE-CONTEMPLATION
If you’re at the Pre-Contemplation stage, you don’t actually want to change. Others strength
have same
you should, or you may have see thing
simply about why activity’s supposed to be nice for you, but deep down, you’re not convinced. As far as you’re concerned, there’s nothing wrong with your life exactly as is.
If this sounds like you, I invite you to take a candid look at your life. Are you truly happy with how things are? Look back over wherever
you are now compared to wherever
you were ten years ago. If the same trend continuing
for another ten years, would-be you honestly be happy with wherever
you’d end up?
If so, congratulations! You’re the only person who knows what’s right for you, and no-one, including me, can tell you how you should feel simply about it. If there’s nothing you’d like to change simply about your exercise habits, you probably don’t need to be reading this article. If you find, however, that there are things simply about your life that could be better, let yourself think simply about them. What’s not exactly the way you want it?
What would-be your life look like if it *was* the way you wanted it? What would-be you feel like? You don’t have to do thing
right now to change – simply let yourself think simply about what could be better.
CONTEMPLATION
If you’re at this stage, you cognize you want to do a change, and you’re thinking simply about what your life strength
be like if you do it. You’re not quite available yet though, and that’s OK. Instead of beating yourself up for not having started yet, take a deep breath and give yourself a chance to actually explore why you want to get much active.
What exactly do you want? To become healthier? Stronger? To slim down or tone up? Why do you want it? What difference wish it do in your life? These are questions that wish help to do it easier to stay impelled in future.
Think simply about how you could turn what you want into a specific, measurable goal. Ensure sure that goal is big enough to inspire you, but realistic enough that you don’t believe it’s doomed to failure from the beginning. If you have a *really* big goal (for example, to lose a large figure of weight, or to vie in a sporting event), think simply about breaking it down into a series of smaller goals.
Consider starting a fitness journal to answer these questions (if you already support a journal, simply write them in there). Once you’re sure you’re crystal clean on why you want to exercise, you’ll find yourself moving naturally into the next stage – your ‘why’ wish driving you to thinking simply about the ‘how’
PREPARATION
At this stage, you’ve distinct that the need for change is stronger than the need to stay the same, and you’ve started thinking simply about how to do it happen. You strength
contact a gym, call a personal trainer, or simply decide to go for a regular walk.
If you’re here now, it’s time to start exploring how you’re going to do your goal happen. There are many an route to be active, and it’s important to find what’s right for you. The fastest
way to kill your motivation is to simply throw yourself into the 1st exercise programme you come across and expect possession to support you going. Possession may be a factor, but
your programme likewise of necessity
to be enjoyable, convenient, and activity for your budget. Several possibilities you may want to consider include:
- Gym classes
- Dance
- Martial arts
- Mind/body activities like yoga or t’ai ch’i
- Walking/hiking/running
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Weights training
Record your research and thoughts in your fitness journal. If you can’t find thing
that sounds like it wish be convenient, pleasurable
and affordable, think simply about consulting a fitness professional. Chances are, if you understand wherever
you want to be and why, as you start investigation how you can create routines that wish get you there *and* let you enjoy yourself once
you do, you’ll find yourself haptic sensation to get started.
Which is once
you come into the next stage - Action.
Simply simply about the author:
Optimum Life's Tanja Gardner is a Personal Trainer and Stress Management Coach whose articles on holistic health and relaxation have appeared in various media since 1999.
To see much articles like this one, please subscribe to Optimum Fitness News at http://optimumlife.co.nz/Newsletter%20Signup.htm. To find out much simply about how you could benefit from online personal training, please visit http://www.trainerforce.com/optimumlife/.
To find out much simply about holistic fitness and stress management please contact Tanja on tanja@optimumlife.co.nz
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