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DEL.ICIO.USSticking With It
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is exercise easy? No. But I’ve decided that sticking with an exercise program DOES come down to two very simple issues - 1) actually beginning each exercise session, and 2) actually finishing each exercise session.
Seriously. Take a look at past efforts that have failed. In my case, they failed because I quit going. I quit going because either I thought I had better things to do, or I was not inspired to do what I was there for and left. And then I just quit going altogether. See a little bit of yourself in that?
This is why I’ve found a personal trainer to be such a valuable part of the equation. First, when you have a personal trainer, you have a scheduled time and place to do your exercise. It’s on your calendar. So while you may think, “I should just return this phone call for work” or “My son really wants me to take him to the movie,” you look at your calendar, and there it is - an appointment. Something on your calendar that tells you “No more phone calls this afternoon” or “Johnny’s just going to have to wait to see that movie.” And you go exercise. Half the battle is won!
Now, you’re at the gym. You’re thinking “Ugh, I don’t feel like doing this” or “I should have taken Johnny to that movie.” In the past, that was all it took for me to say to myself, “I’m outta here!” which then led to that slippery slope called Quitsville. But with a trainer counting your reps, telling you which weights to lift and how, are you going to justify putting those weights down and walking out the door? Of course not! You press on until you are finished. And there’s one more successful day under your gradually loosening belt.
So, not only does a trainer provide the knowledge, supervision, program development and other things I’ve talked about in past blogs. But simply by “being there,” he or she helps you deal with these simple but often difficult-to-overcome mental roadblocks, helping you stick with it and reach your goal!
I’ve been exercising regularly and vigorously for more than three months, and I have no desire to quit. An all-time record for me sticking to an exercise program! Thanks, Fitness Together Sandy Springs!
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Comments
By Sheila
June 7, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
3 MONTHS. All I can say is WOW! That is great and I know you feel much better and much better about yourself. Keep up the good work and in 3 more months you will be saying, “I have been exercising for 6 months”. I am so happy for you. Sheila
By Betsy
June 7, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
You described me to a T. The easiest thing for me to do is to talk myself out of exercising. Although I will have to give myself credit about not quiting a session. Once I am there I stick it out. But getting there (to the gym, on the treadmill, a walk around the block, or whatever)is a major accomplishment because “I just don’t have time for that right now.” What that really means is that I have not made exercise a top priority. It sounds like you have, and I hope I can recall your blog about it every time I am tempted to do something “more important” instead of exercising. Actually, nothing is more important. Keep those encouraging blogs coming. They are really helpful. Betsy
By Joe
June 8, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
I start going to the gym and go religiously for a few weeks, even a few months. it never ends gradually with me. I just don’t go one day. And then I never go back. Until I start going again religiously a few months later. I don’t know why I do that. In the summer I keep very active with outdoor activities like hiking. I hate being indoors in the gym during the summer.