Easing Into an Exercise Program

You have read about it online and in the newspaper. Your doctor talks about it every time you see each other. What am I talking about? Regular exercise of course. The scientific studies are clear and the benefits are numerous. Regular exercise is better for you than any food, drug or vitamin.

So why are so many (maybe you) negligent when it comes to getting into a consistent fitness program? After 30 years in this profession, the short answers are easy.

There are two main problems involved. First, when it comes to the way most of us approach exercise there are just too many rules. The more rules the better chance for breaking them and the lower the success rate.

Second, most of us get involved in an exercise program that is inappropriate for our needs. After a month or so, we either end up injured or disappointed in our progress. Both reasons take us away from our original goal.  

I see problem #1 happen all the time. Someone goes to the health club and is instructed to exercise every other day, three times a week. Lots of structure here for someone who has no exercise structure at all. They miss a day and the whole week is shot.

In an attempt to solve this problem I suggest to my clients that they approach a fitness program with absolutely no rules what so ever. I say exercise three days in a row if you feel like it. Skip a week if that suits you. The ultimate goals is to be more fitness active than you were the month before.

Problem #2 nicely follows suit. Most exercise programs are still based on the body building model fitness established fifty years ago. unless you really want to be a body builder, that model does not work very well.

Most people want to reduce body fat, improve balance, feel more flexible, fix an aching back and so on. If these are your goals then a health-based exercise program will works much better for you.

What do you do? When you are first starting out, less is more. Start with basic exercises that help balance and stabilize your spine. Integrate them into your day for 5 to 10 minutes until you feel like you're getting into a groove. Then you can increase the time spent.

Next, stay off the weight and cardiovascular machines (they take away balance and coordination) and instead perform exercises that will make your body more flexible while increasing balance and strength all at the same time.

These exercises will prepare and allow you to perform your real world daily tasks with ease. They also require less time making your exercise time more efficient.

Now you why it has been so hard to succeed. Need some help with your fitness program? Let me help make it easier for you to get all the health benefits your doctor is talking about. For more information, feel free to email me to woody@sequoiahealth.com or check out my website at www.sequoiahealth.com. Look for and sign-up for my free No Cost consultation.