Exercise Is Not A Luxury

By Steve Wilkens, BodyTrac Health & Fitness™

Q: I spend so much time taking care of other people and other things that I find it hard to schedule time to exercise. When I do have a break, I just want to rest. How do I fit it into my life?

A: Most of us have hectic lives. We wake up early, get ourselves ready, get the kids ready, feed everyone breakfast, drive to work and take the kids to school, work a full day at the office or at home, pick the kids up, chauffer them to their various activities, supervise homework, feed everyone dinner, prepare for the next day, and get everyone off to bed. Does this sound familiar to you?

We know we need to make time for ourselves to eat healthy and exercise. The will and desire is there, but we often lack the effort that produces a lifestyle of good habits. How many times have we all said these things: “My New Year’s resolution to lose 10-20 lbs. or more?”, “I want to look good for the summer, my high school reunion, or a special event.”, and “I want to be healthier and be around a long time.”?

We can all grab a hold of short-term goals and make short-term efforts, but when we are not able to sustain these efforts, we feel defeated. In order to continue exercising over the long term, we must focus on the important reasons why we should be exercising and eating healthy: overall health and longevity.

Exercise has been proven to increase energy levels, improve body image, boost the mood, increase mental functions and focus, fight depression, anxiety, and stress, help control cholesterol, obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, plus lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and many other potentially debilitating illnesses.

It can be as simple as strengthening your back, so you can play with your children on the floor. Increasing stamina can help you to take a hike, go on a school outing, or walk your dog. Improved flexibility enables you to do household chores and enjoy playtime without pulling a muscle. Even the benefits of relieving stress can make you more tolerant and understanding with family, friends, and co-workers.

Longevity is an important topic. There are no guarantees, but we do know that exercise and eating healthy greatly increases the experience of life and the process of aging. Wouldn’t it be better to exercise now and be able to spend time enjoying our lives and families as we mature, rather than risk our quality of life because we did not make time for ourselves when we were younger? Wouldn’t it be great to have the opportunity to watch our children and grandchildren grow up?

If weight loss is one of your goals, don’t get discouraged in the short-term. Make physical activity a habit that you practice several times every week. Find things you enjoy to do and people who will do them with you. Seek experts to help you better understand your food choices and to explain and show you how to tone muscle, lose fat, and exercise at your appropriate heart rate. Make time for your self for all the right reasons.

On a practical note, write down your specific reasons to implement exercise. Keep them before you and remind yourself of them often. Plan out your routine and take an honest look at anything that disrupts your follow-through. Insist on “me time” to do things for yourself. This is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Even small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact. By just exercising an hour twice a week and cutting your daily calorie intake by 200 calories you can look to lose 30 lbs. over the course of a year. The same family that you devote so much of your time and energy to wants you to be healthy and around for a long time. You can be an example to them of how to care for yourself, so that you are available and able to care for others.

Steve Wilkens has been a personal trainer in Tallahassee for seven years with IFPA and ACSM certifications. He is also an owner and trainer at BodyTrac Health & Fitness in Killearn and holds the title of Mr. Florida Bantamweight 2003.