Zimpapers Logo

Chris Lunga Healthy Living
It seems that every New Year when we come up with resolutions or a to-do list and most often, we put exercise, or joining a gym high up on that list. We may even manage to do it for a couple of weeks and then it dies a quick death and we blame the lack of time. So September 2015 is already passing through and very soon October will greet us and still we have not prioritised our health, we have not been engaged in any meaningful exercise program.

So how can you find that elusive time, so that you can squeeze in an exercise programme? Whether you are a student, employee, employer, middle aged or older you can control your time no matter your circumstances no matter how busy you think you are.

Why exercise?

How much does your life mean to you?

What value do you place on your health?

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health. A motor vehicle that is never serviced will start giving little problems and if not attended to will eventually break down needing costly major service or to be parked forever.

Our bodies are like that motor vehicle, and exercise is that regular service. The down side to not exercising, is an increase in body weight, body fat that will cause you numerous problems as you age, not to mention loss of shape for both men and woman on top of those numerous “little” ailments that really lower your enjoyment of life.

So if you do not want to be a regular at the doctor’s rooms; you need to consider an exercise programme, regardless of your age.

Health benefits of exercise are numerous:

Exercise improves your mood, the feel good factor after 20 minutes of a disciplined work out is amazing.

It improves energy levels, boosts strength and stamina by improving cardiovascular system. It also improves the heart and lung function to improve blood oxygen circulating through the body.

Exercise controls weight, burning and utilisation of excess calories.

Helps to combat opportunistic ailments and disease;

Improved health means higher chances of an ultimately longer life.

It all begins with motivation, there is no magic bullet.

Motivation is like bathing, it’s recommended you do it daily. Self motivation is key to start and maintain an exercise program daily, If you find you are unable to fit into that pair of jeans you bought just last month or your health is not what it used to be, then you know that action is needed. Motivation is that inner power that pushes you toward taking action. It may also be failing health, a doctor’s stern advice that jolts us into action. Peer pressure, something or someone can be the motivation that gets us going.

Remez Sasson founder of motivational site SuccessConsciousness.com says, “Motivation is powered by desire and ambition, and therefore, if they are absent, motivation is absent too”.

Then its discipline, habit forming and taking advantage of our natural body clock.

Whether you are a morning person or a late night owl, our body clock or circadian rhythm, regulates the time we get up in the morning, the time we feel sleepy, the time we eat etc. So our body clock regulates our activities.

Once you do something often enough your body clock realises your timetable and takes over. It becomes ingrained in our subconscious minds and before you know it you are engaging with less effort, you become used to it, you form a habit.

That is exactly the way it works with exercise. Once it is time, early morning or evening your body clock reminds you and sets you up emotionally and physically to get going. Guilt sets in when you decide to forego or skip an activity.

An effective exercise routine needs only 20-30 minutes a day and can make a tremendous change to your life, improve the quality of your lifestyle and allow you to live longer.

So we visit that statement again, “I can`t find the time”.

Once you have found the motivation, you need little tweaks or fine tuning to your day to make that difference. You have the time, you are just not managing it right.

Wake up 30 minutes earlier than usual to fit in an exercise programme.

Watch less TV. Taking 20 minutes off to work on your health instead will make all the difference.

Squeezing in a 20 minutes work out from an hour long lunch break will help you cut down on your food consumption and give you energy to tackle the rest of the day.

Take the stairs rather than the elevator. People working on the first, second and third floors should ban themselves from using elevators unless they have medical conditions.

Rope in a friend, colleague or neighbour to exercise with which helps maintain exercise dates.

Walk more, drive less. Walk to the shops and other places.

Exercise should not be a toss-up with other chores or tasks. Remove obstacles make exercise time convenient.

Be religious about your exercise time, schedule your meetings around your exercise time.

Do not compare yourself with others, you may see some well toned and slim or muscular bodies. Just focus on yourself and the goals you need to achieve.

Be realistic and patient with yourself, take time to expect results.

Keep a fresh spare kit in the boot of your car if you are driving, and eliminate an excuse of forgetting it at home

Forget the past. You may have been a lousy athlete at school or in your youth. You may even have tried exercising before and gave up for one reason or other. Every time you put on your training shoes it is a new experience.

Whatever you chose may be sore initially but as you get regular, pain turns to enjoyment and very soon to addiction. Exercise addiction.

Where to exercise?

When one mentions exercise many people automatically have visions of a gym, the house of pain. Some people just do not have the confidence to exercise in that environment. Exercise can be done anywhere, many exercises can be performed in the safety of your own residence or even in a hotel room, one can, sit up, press up, squat, skip, cycle or swim, or take a brisk walk around the block etc . . . . the exercises are many and varied

Always remember that exercising your body benefits you, not your family, partner or coach.

The hardest thing about exercise is to start doing it. Once you are doing it regularly the hardest thing is to stop doing it. — Fin Gray (Fitness Motivator).

The writer is a healthy living enthusiast Feedback: [email protected]