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In the fall of each year, as summer fades from our view, we often find ourselves having to work diligently to \u201crestart\u201d our fitness activities in preparation for the holidays \u2013 and the year to come. As the seasons change to shorter days and cooler weather becomes a reality, we have to \u201cre-think\u201d our fitness plans\/goals and address the changes that are coming \u2013 thoughtfully and carefully \u2013 in order to ensure continued growth and results.<\/p>\n
Being able to understand the \u201ccycles\u201d of life and how the changing seasons affect us is important in programming your fitness activities for the balance of the year. Success comes when we plan and evaluate again what it is we want to achieve with our fitness activities and then \u201cre-set\u201d our priorities to account not only for the change in the weather \u2013 but our lives as well.<\/p>\n
I will share with you some tips on how you might maintain your momentum when it comes to fitness programming following the summer months of mostly fun activities that don\u2019t fit the mold of \u201cexercise\u201d. Remembering exercise can be a form of \u201cplay\u201d is important when transitioning to the fall and winter months that lie ahead. Let\u2019s be creative and hopefully this article will spark a thought (or two) or maybe an idea that might help you move into the fall and winter months ready to continue challenging yourself \u2013 and not just \u201cworking out\u201d \u2013 or \u201cexercising\u201d.<\/p>\n
The key to transitions in life \u2013 as well as with fitness activities \u2013 is the thought that goes into planning the program. Very often, the mind conceives of an idea that captures what it is\u00a0we REALLY want to get out of our fitness activities but the heart never gets fully engaged in the plan. We THINK our way to a new plan, but do we ever really FEEL our excitement about the plan (and its possibilities) as well? This question relates to having exercise BE FUN so that you return to it again and again.<\/p>\n
I connect my mind (thoughts) to my heart (feelings) every day when I go into my \u201cquiet time\u201d \u2013 visualizing and then appreciating the training I have planned for the day. What is missing in my opinion \u2013 and the most common reason people quit on their fitness activities \u2013 is\u00a0that they never connect the mind \u2013 which conceives the plan \u2013\u00a0to the heart \u2013 which \u201cexperiences\u201d the plan. If you love what you are doing \u2013 you will do it for life \u2013 just as I have done with my running program over the past 52 years.<\/p>\n
Technology is killing physical activity and squeezing out the present moment. I see this every day at my gym: people mindlessly peddling on a stationary bike, watching TV, looking at their phones and completely disregarding the activity \u2013 and the moment. No wonder people are bored \u2013 and quit \u2013 they are not present and have no way of knowing if what they are doing is in any way fun \u2013 or useful to their purpose (if they have one in mind at all). Smart phones DO NOT need to be in the gym or constantly with us. Taking a break\u00a0while we exercise is a GOOD thing. This is a time for you to enjoy and promote your own well being. Let\u2019s release the\u00a0stresses of life for even a few minutes \u2013 and learn something new about ourselves in the process!<\/p>\n
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You should connect your\u00a0mind to your\u00a0body BEFORE starting your training session so that you can enjoy what you have chosen to do. This inexactly what I do. This way, I first\u00a0\u201csee\u201d with my mind\u2019s eye and then experience it in my imagination before I even get to the gym to train. When the \u201chard\u201d days come \u2013 and they will \u2013\u00a0(especially when you have been away from planned fitness activities for a while), you need\u00a0your heart and mind to communicate regularly with each other to ensure success with your plan.<\/p>\n
When I say everything in life starts with a thought and gets carried out into the world through the feeling side of our nature, I am saying that life is constantly communicating through our senses \u2013 thought, feelings, and intuition. With thoughts and feelings working together in harmony, you will not have to make excuses or have any regrets later because you are totally committed to your purpose. This is true personal power.<\/p>\n
In order to be successful in executing your plan you must\u00a0engage your WHOLE being in order to maximize your results. This is HOW you get through the fall and winter months \u2013 by preparing in advance with purpose \u2013 and setting goals you really want to achieve. In enjoying the journey \u2013 and learning more about yourself in the process \u2013\u00a0\u00a0you can rest in the knowledge that your life works!\u00a0This sounds pretty great to me!<\/p>\n
The issue of adherence is being answered today through technological advances that help you track your progress and also assist\u00a0you in managing your behavior. By this I mean there are innumerable devices on the market that will tell you how well you have done, whether you have met your goals and also show you what you can do to improve your results. The problem as I see it is that you are still accountable and responsible for your results regardless of how much you use technology to keep you \u201con track\u201d. How much fun is that?<\/p>\n
I solved the problem of adherence early in my\u00a0life by falling in love with being active as a child and then finding new ways to engage my body \u2013 and mind \u2013 as I got older. I later came to believe in recording my sessions in writing and this behavior allowed me to learn even more about my own capabilities \u2013 and potential \u2013 in the process. I found a method for staying on track naturally that worked for me and today I have complete running records dating back to 1979. I know what I have done, what I\u00a0am capable of\u00a0doing \u2013 and\u00a0am able\u00a0to set goals going forward that are based upon my results from my past and current work.<\/p>\n
Looking back through my running records\u00a0I\u00a0can\u00a0learn a\u00a0great deal\u00a0about my current capabilities based upon\u00a0the goals\u00a0I have accomplished.\u00a0This knowledge gives me the opportunity to set my course for the coming year \u2013 and define\u00a0what I want to achieve going forward. (Run\u00a0a 6 minute mile on my 80th birthday for example?) It is in the process of envisioning your goals \u2013 and experiencing the results before they occur (in your mind) \u2013 that you will succeed \u2013 enabling and empowering yourself as you move toward success. Remember that everything in life \u2013 as well as\u00a0fitness programming \u2013 starts in your imagination first and then gets revealed in the \u201creal\u201d world through your choices and activities.<\/p>\n
Always start with what you enjoy doing most and then add additional\u00a0activities as you go. Change is inevitable and if you embrace\u00a0it willingly \u2013 and allow yourself the opportunity to make new choices \u2013 you will grow in confidence and commitment to your purpose. If\u00a0what you are doing\u00a0seems natural and fun to you \u2013 keep going and enjoy it! If not, make minor adjustments at first \u2013 and then if necessary \u2013 more significant changes\u00a0later. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is the rule here.<\/p>\n
The internet has many options and \u201cmeet ups\u201d are a good way to go. There are groups for running, cycling, walking, hiking, swimming, sports related activities such as volleyball and handball or racquetball \u2013 and any interest you can imagine. Meet ups are pretty much everywhere and if not you can start your own meet up group right where you are \u2013 from workplace relationships to volunteer activities to church activities \u2013 whatever suits you.<\/p>\n
If you find people who have a common interest in what you would like to do, the group will \u201ckeep you on track\u201d while you share, learn and build new friendships as you accomplish your goals together. Team sports \u2013 which is another way to go \u2013 (softball, basketball, etc.) can also keep you motivated and interested in your physical wellbeing by holding you accountable to a group that needs you to participate to be successful (bowling, swimming meets, road races etc\u2026) Going through the \u201ctough\u201d months on your own can be challenging, so finding support with other people who care as you do is always a great strategy.<\/p>\n
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The gym setting can be challenging because you are on your own most of the time (unless you hire a trainer). The times where you can interact with others and form mutually supportive bonds with other like-minded individuals is through group exercise\u00a0programs (there are many options)\u00a0such as aerobic or yoga classes. Each method has value and both can be lots of fun while you learn what suits you as an individual. These and other group activities are very popular because they bring people together \u2013\u00a0enabling\u00a0you to\u00a0learn and share your journey\u00a0together (yoga classes are particularly powerful in this way).<\/p>\n
In the summer of 1982 when I joined Nautilus Plus after my wife left me, I went to as many as five aerobic classes a week because they were fun, challenging, and the music and moves helped me forget my pain for a while. I eventually went back to running but I never forgot the great help I received by participating in those classes. The instructors were young, enthusiastic, talented and absolutely LOVED teaching the classes. All in all it was a very positive and supportive experience that helped me get through a rough summer of questioning and uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Originally posted on\u00a0healthynewage.com<\/a>. Reprinted with permission from Nicholas Prukop.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n