As I was preparing for my circuit training class one afternoon, a fellow trainee came up to me and asked, “How do I motive myself to exercise?” I thought about it for a moment and replied, “Well, getting yourself to the gym would be a good start. Once you’re here and see all of us preparing—you’ll be raring to join us.”
Although said in a lighthearted manner, my classmate (if you will) got my point: Desiring exercise starts with putting oneself in an environment that promotes exercise. This is followed by the need to have an intrinsic and realistic exercising goal that is not time bound. To put it another way, your health/exercise goals should be your own and you shouldn’t forget to have fun while on your way to achieving them.
Exercise goals are long-term goals. After all, very few of us can be like Elysium actor Matt Damon and spend four hours a day in the gym and be disciplined in what we eat—given the enormity of healthy food choices that we have available to us. If you know what I mean…
Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Select an exercise activity that you find interesting and do some research – What is it? Is there a gym near you that offers it? What are their rates?
- Like Goldilocks, try and try until you find the perfect fit – Don’t be discouraged if you are not too thrilled with your first exercise choice. Just think that you have yet to discover the new one.
- Consult your doctor before engaging in any physical activity – Best to get the necessary clearances for your peace of mind.
- Start out the right way – Consult with a trainer or instructor for your first few sessions so that you’ll be more informed on the proper execution of your chosen exercise.
- Don’t forget to have fun and ‘rest days.’ – Getting fit and feeling better can be an enriching experience so always be mindful of the journey and not the destination. Also know when to take a day off and rest as too much exercise may lead to unanticipated injuries.
Enjoy your exercise journey guys!
Contact information:
If you would like to set an appointment, you can reach Dr. Villasor at the Makati Medical Center trunk line number: 888-8999 (Local 2357) or through their direct line: 844-2941.
