Written by Marta Wein, B.A., BSc., HK
This is Part 3 of 3 of this fitness saga. If you missed any of the early parts click accordingly: Part 1 – Part 2
5) Your success is more than exercise
Do you remember seeing all the e-cards online stating that “Abs are made in the kitchen”? Well, they do speak a certain truth.
Exercise is only part of a balanced lifestyle and is only a small part of what you do in a day. If you were to exercise 1 hour daily during the week the amount of time spent not exercising is still 161hrs! That means 95% of your week would be spent on other things besides exercise. You really cannot expect all your physical and health benefits to come from only 5% of your daily activity. When looking back at the Wellness Spectrum you see that exercise is a controllable factor that can lead to health benefits.
One other controllable factor is your nutrition. This plays a HUGE role in not only how our bodies look but how they perform (function). A well balanced diet should have 3 main meals as well as snacks. There are large amounts of time and energy spent on not only consuming these meals but also preparing them and, let’s be honest, thinking about them. To think that nutrition plays a minimal role is to ignore the elephant sitting next to you on the sofa. For most of us following nutrition guidelines for a well-balanced diet is enough. For those who want more specific information finding the appropriate information on nutrition needs that are right for you can be tricky. A registered dietitian is your best source of information. Different from other professions, this one is regulated. It is still important to check those references nonetheless to ensure a right fit.
6) Have fun
Despite the word ‘work’ in workout, making exercise part of your routine should not be a chore, it should be fun! If you add an element of fun to working out you are more likely to stick with it. For some the simple act of performing a workout routine is rewarding enough but others need just a little bit more.
Find something that works for you whether it is playing a sport, taking part in a fitness or dance class, playing outside in the sunshine or following a plan in the gym. Adding a social element to exercise is also something that helps individuals keep the positive motivation going. The sense of community can be very strong when a group of people come together for a common goal, and let’s face it we all like to know that when we are suffering through a tough workout we are not the only ones.
To sum it all up, success in finding an exercise routine that works for you is a multifaceted endeavor. No one can tell you what you enjoy except you, so don’t be afraid to try something that might be out of your comfort zone. Just remember that we can all find ourselves somewhere on the health spectrum and that our health isn’t static. It changes and so should what you do to maintain your position on the positive side of the health spectrum. With all the information available to you and all the choices required of you, do try to have fun.
