The initial idea of regular exercise may be a major hurdle to overcome, but the effort is worthwhile. Exercise has tremendous benefits on many levels.
Even moderate levels of exercise will boost the immune system, lowering the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, and even cancer.
Exercise helps build positive thought patterns, and can relieve depression, anxiety, stress, worry, panic and anger. Studies also show that there is a link between physical activity and mental ability.
When your mind has a mental programme that constantly confirms that you love to exercise you cannot fail to improve your overall fitness and health.
Follow these 7 golden exercise and fitness rules:
Golden Rule 1 – Move!
Becoming more active is something that is vitally important on your journey towards a fitter you.
Get into the habit of moving your body as often as possible in your everyday life.
Look for simple everyday opportunities to be active, even if it’s just a short walk or a mini trampoline work out for 10 minutes in the morning.
Golden Rule 2 –
Learn to Love Exercise!
Learn to enjoy being active. Always connect with a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment when you exercise and use affirmations and visualisations to build the belief that you love to exercise.
A good affirmation for this would be ‘I love to exercise and keep fit.’ Connect with a feeling of enjoyment and pleasure as you state your affirmations.
The more energy you give the affirmations, the stronger the belief becomes. The motivation to exercise and keep fit then becomes normal and natural – something you love doing.
Golden Rule 3 – Choose Exercise You Will Enjoy
Find the right form of exercise for you – if you love nature, walking or jogging maybe the thing for you – taking in the great outdoors.
You may love the gym and so going three times a week will not seem like a chore.
If you have a competitive nature maybe tennis or squash will suit you. If you love to dance there are many dance based exercise classes, or maybe you need something a little more gentle like yoga or tai chi.
Think about what suits you best and commit to a programme. There is no shortage of gyms and exercise classes.
Golden Rule 4 – Adopt Good Habits.
There are simple new habits you can adopt to increase the exercise you take daily. Where possible walk or cycle instead of using the car, if you take a bus or train, get off a stop earlier and walk.
Park at the farthest point in the car park of the supermarket or shopping centre and walk in. Always choose to walk up and down the staircase instead of taking the elevator.
Feel good as you do these things and be grateful for the opportunity to get your heart rate up.
Golden Rule 5 – Set A Goal.
Consider increasing your fitness to run a half or full marathon, or do that long ten-mile walk for charity or a sponsored swim. Having a goal will help to keep you focused on exercising.
Once you achieve a small goal you will find it becomes a little addictive and you will need another one to follow up with.
You may do a three-mile walk for charity and then find the ten-mile is the next step, or run half a marathon then go for the full marathon the next year. This way, you build upon your fitness goals gently over time.
Golden Rule 6 –
Find An Exercise Buddy
If your motivation to exercise is not strong, consider find a buddy to run with or walk with. You will motivate each other and you are far more likely to stick to a plan that involves another person.
Consider getting a canine buddy, dog walking is a wonderful way to commit to daily walking. The dog will not accept your excuses not to exercise with him/her.
Golden Rule 7 – Build Exercise Into Your Social Life:
Instead of meeting a friend for a coffee, meet up for a walk. Swap a night at the pub for a regular night bowling, skating or salsa dancing.
Extend your circle of friends by joining a club that is focussed on exercise; there are running clubs, rambling/hiking clubs, rugby/football clubs, tennis/badminton clubs. This way you will gain the benefit of the exercise and the social aspect of the club too.
Paul Smith Physical Intelligence 