Monday, June 28, 2010

How to get started and stay motivated with your exercise program!

The easiest and most sure fire way of getting started and continuing with your program is to work with a personal trainer. You don't won't to miss an appointment so you, first of all, show up! Secondly, you have someone to write your plan, monitor your form, mix up the exercises to prevent boredom, and keep you progressing so you don't get "stuck". I welcome new customers and encourage you to contact me at nbestes@gmail.com for an appointment.

The second best thing to do is make a contract with a buddy saying that the two of you will work out together. This is another case of built in incentive to show up as you don't want to let your friend down! You need a plan for how and when you exercise. Consider mixing up aerobic exercise with anaerobic exercises. In other words, do a day of weight lifting and then the next day do the treadmill, bike or just run. On days of weight lifting alternate doing upper body one day and lower body the next.

When I first started working out I did 3 days of strength training (with a trainer), and cardio on most days that I didn't lift weights. I now take 1 day off a week and my program includes cardio almost everyday and weight training 4 days a week plus I throw in some classes like yoga, body combat and a sculpting class. I'm a firm believer in starting small by doing something that YOU WILL DO! A year will go by whether you exercise or not so why not start tomorrow with that first step and let tomorrow be the first day of the year you get into the shape you want. You really can do it. And remember. . . . . we do not grow too old to exercise but rather grow old from lack of exercise.

2 comments:

  1. you have such a great way of keeping me motivated. just one day at a time.

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  2. You're right about one day at at time, Sometimes the hardest part is "getting there" which is done by one foot in front of the other with the "just do it" mindset. Once it's over - wow, it's done.

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