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Fitness InformationExercise & Motivation, Part 3: Keeping it Going
by:
Tanja Gardner
Copyright 2005 Tanja Gardner
Note: This is Part 3 of a 4-part article series. You can find Parts 1 and 2 at http://optimumlife.co.nz/Fitness_Articles.htm
THE NEXT STAGE: ACTION
The next stage of Prochaska’s Transtheoretical model - ‘Action’ - kicks in once you’ve started taking (you guessed it) action.
If you’re in this stage, you’re available to do changes – and now. In the Action stage, you cognize wherever
you want to be, how you'll get there, and you’ve started (or are simply about to start) doing thing
get you moving. You’ve ready-made it past the 1st major jutting point –overcoming inertia, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be an easy ride from here. No matter how nice your intentions, starting a routine isn’t the same as maintaining it. Obstacles – whether small (like an invitation to do thing
at a time you’d planned on working out) or large (like falling ill or injuring yourself) – are going to come up.
DEALING WITH OBSTACLES
When you encounter an obstacle, take a little time out to reconnect with your main goal and your reasons for wanting to accomplish it. Remember why you’re exercise in the 1st place. How could you still accomplish your goal, and find route about this new obstacle? Your journal can be your friend here – use it to reflect back over why thing
may have complete up being more difficult than expected, and to brainstorm ideas for some route to come forward. You can besides use it to proactively actuate yourself before obstacles appear – to track your progress in any area you’d like to see yourself improving.
GET OTHERS INVOLVED
If you haven’t already, create an exercise routine that gets friends or family involved. Studies have shown that folk whose friends or family keep their goals are far more likely to accomplish them, and it’s hard not to feel supported once
folk you care simply about are working out aboard
you. Not only that, but if you’ve in agreement to meet your ‘workout buddy’ for an exercise session, you do it that more harder to let them down by deciding at the last minute you simply can’t be daunted today.
MAKE DEALS WITH YOURSELF
If you’re having trouble evocation the motivation to get out the door, promise yourself you don’t have to stop your exercise if you don’t want to. Decide that you only have to complete the 1st ten minutes, and then, if you actually don’t feel like keeping at it, give yourself permission to pack up and go house again. Most of the time, simply acquiring out the door and starting wish be enough.
For a short term psychological feature
quick-fix, don’t underestimate the power of bribery! Identify three or four some little things that bring you pleasure, and promise yourself you’ll take time out and indulge in at least one of them if you complete your exercise as scheduled.
GET HELP!
Finally, if you’re noticing increasing difficulty motivating yourself despite trying all of the above suggestions, consider talking to a personal trainer near you. A big part of qualifying as a trainer involves not simply learning specific exercises, but learning how to keep clients motivated. If cost is an issue for you, think seriously simply about hiring an online trainer. Generally, online training is far more reasonably priced than face-to-face training - and if all you’re wanting is person to keep you ardent and accountable, it means you’re not paying for services you don’t need.
In next issue’s conclusion to our Exercise & Motivation series, we look at the final stage of Prochaska’s model – and what to do if you find yourself in the awful ‘Relapse’ stage. Until then, may every day bring you closer to your optimum life!
Just simply about the author:
This article © Tanja Gardner, Optimum Life Ltd. Please feel free to reprint it in whole, as long as this resource box remains intact.
Optimum Life Ltd (http://optimumlife.co.nz) provides balanced fitness and stress management services to clients worldwide. For details of how we can help you accomplish your optimum fitness on a budget, visit http://trainerforce.com/optimumlife
Fora copy of our free 'What is Optimum Fitness?' Report and Checklist, please send an e-mail to mailto:optimumlife@xtra.co.nz with 'Please send Fitness Checklist & Report' in the subject header
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