When it comes to fitness, there are so many paths to take. Not all lead to the same destination. It depends on what you want from fitness.
Remember the definition….
Physical Fitness=
The ability to do activities of daily life with ease
and have energy left over for recreation and to meet emergencies.
Choose your destination: Get clear about what you want from weight loss and exercise, then train for what you want. If you goal is to do burpies better, then do burpies. If not, skip the burpies!!! If your goal is to have the stamina to travel and walk around amazing places with friends and family without fatigue – then walk often at the level your body can do now and gradually build up your tolerance of walking. Even if you start with 15 seconds several times a day, you are training for YOUR goal. These are the questions to ask yourself to know where you want to go:
- What daily activities do I need to do?
- What do I want to be able to do for fun?
- What is important for me to be able to do to meet emergencies? (ie: get up off the floor if I fall, be able to climb the stairs)
You are here: Where are you now? Again, another important questions if you are going to get the destination you want. What are you able to do? What gets in the way? Awareness is key. Taking a day or two to ponder these questions can make getting to your destination much easier. Jot down some thoughts before moving forward with your exercise plan.
Stay on course: How do you know if you are on course? Expert advice is helpful. However, what your body is telling you is more reliable and accurate than any outside measure (like how much weight lifted, how many miles you moved, or the latest fitness trend). Here are some ways to help you from getting caught in a detour:
- Physical or mental fatigue: Learn to tell the difference between feeling tired because you were physically active all day and feeling tired because you were more mentally active. Mental and physical fatigue can feel the similar. When it is mental fatigue, give your body what it needs by moving in some way. If you get energy from moment, it was definitely mental fatigue.
- Tired or lazy? A better term for lazy is just not motivated. This is very different than being physically tired. They can feel the same unless we really take a closer look. If you are feeling lazy, check to see if your goal is too big and overwhelm is draining motivation. Lower the goal and see if that cures laziness. Check to see if you have just lost sight of your destination, the whole reason you want to get moving in the first place. Remind yourself of your destination and see if that gives you some energy.
- How do I feel after exercise? If you walk away from exercise feeling worse about yourself or physically exhausted, it was too much! The right exercise for you right now is the one that makes you feel better physically and mentally. Choose what makes you feel better, and you found what is right for you. Do that exercise as often as you want to feel better!
More next week….
Keep Moving, Be Well
Janet
Please share these posts with anyone you know interested in losing weight with or without weight loss surgery. Click here to learn more about the UMass Memorial Weight Center
These weekly blogs are general guidelines. These guidelines apply to patients who are cleared by a physician for the type of exercise described. Please contact your physician with any concerns or questions. Always report any symptoms associated with exercise, such as pain, irregular heartbeats, and dizziness or fainting, to your physician.
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