| Imagine if an old friend were to confide in you about an | | | | of human nature. On days like these focus on 'why' |
| investment that was impossible to fail...how would you | | | | you are doing it. Think about all the people you care |
| react? Also suppose there was a huge amount of | | | | about and who may need and rely on you. What |
| supporting evidence for the investment claims...wouldn't | | | | would happen if you became ill or disabled and was |
| you be inclined to take advantage of the opportunity | | | | unable to work for a period of time, or worse, if you |
| and not miss out on the rewards? Although the | | | | were out of the picture completely. How would things |
| answer to these questions seems obvious, when it | | | | change? If something happened tomorrow, how would |
| comes to investing in our health and quality of life we | | | | your family or business manage without you? What |
| often choose to ignore what obviously works. Take | | | | do you want your life to be like in the future? There |
| for example, exercise... | | | | are many tasks or chores we do, that we may not |
| Physical fitness may be the ultimate investment | | | | like, but are necessary to live a happen and productive |
| opportunity. Think of it this way. If you are willing to | | | | life. Focus on the bigger picture. |
| make the commitment (investment), you will feel and | | | | Indecision can be defeating, but doing "anything" is |
| look healthier, have an abundance of energy, be more | | | | better than doing nothing. There are no wrong choices |
| self-confident, more productive and discover a more | | | | and very few choices that can't be undone or done |
| joyous and fulfilling life. These are rewards that money | | | | again. Can't decide on a particular exercise program or |
| cannot buy and the substance of high quality living. | | | | routine? Pick a few exercises and start with |
| And, the investment of exercise becomes even more | | | | something simple. If you don't like it, go on to the next |
| attractive when you consider that there is absolutely | | | | exercise. |
| no down-side risk. You have everything to gain and | | | | When you lack the confidence to start something new, |
| nothing to lose. How much better can it get? How | | | | take a deep breath and try to figure out why. Are you |
| many times can you remember ever having a better | | | | hesitating because you really lack the skill or is it just |
| offer? The honest answer is probably never, and yet | | | | imagined? If it's real, try to find out where to gain the |
| many of us fail to act on this extraordinary opportunity. | | | | skills you need or find someone with the right skills who |
| We simply choose to procrastinate or ignore the | | | | can help. In the case of exercise, finding a qualified |
| proven benefits of exercise! | | | | personal fitness trainer can sometimes do the trick, but |
| Here are a few reasons that sometimes inhibit our | | | | be wary...some PFT's are overzealous and tend to |
| willingness to "step out" and make a change or take a | | | | start newcomers on programs that are too strenuous. |
| chance: | | | | Life just seems too busy to find time for some |
| Sometimes our vision gets clouded. We lose tract of | | | | activities. Large, uninterrupted chunks of time are very |
| what is really important. Forget about the less | | | | hard to come by. And if we're honest, when they do |
| important activities that tend to clutter our daily routine | | | | come, we'd rather do something totally pleasurable! |
| and focus on exactly what needs to be accomplished | | | | Exercise has to become part of your routine. It can't |
| to reach your goal. | | | | be an option. Make it a high priority just the same as |
| Looking at the "big" picture can seem overwhelming. | | | | your career, and other areas of interest. You will be |
| And the bigger the task, the more overwhelming it can | | | | surprised at how easy exercise becomes when |
| seem. Break the task apart into smaller pieces. If you | | | | approached this way! |
| want to lose 50 pounds try losing 10 pounds and | | | | Have you ever subconsciously (or otherwise) invited |
| repeat the process five times! Need to start an | | | | distractions so that you have a "good" reason not to |
| exercise program? Begin with short, simple exercises | | | | get something done? Sometimes it's the simple things |
| and then slowly expand your routine. Don't exercise | | | | like answering the phone or sitting down to watch that |
| too hard when first starting-out or you will become | | | | "one" TV program, that distract us. When you find |
| stiff, tired, disillusioned and soon quit. | | | | yourself doing this, take control of the situation and |
| Have you ever not wanted to start something for fear | | | | make a conscious decision to do what you are |
| of failure? Take the first step, acknowledge the fear | | | | avoiding. |
| and the next step will come easier. Once fears are | | | | To get the full benefits of exercise, or any other |
| acknowledged, they usually quiet down. | | | | fitness endeavor, you must agree to become a willing |
| Sometimes we start to think that a task is unpleasant | | | | participant. This will require commitment on your part. |
| or boring. Just like any other activity, this can also be | | | | And remember, as you embark on your mission you |
| true for exercise. There are days when we just plain | | | | are investing in something near and dear to your own |
| lack the enthusiasm and motivation to continue. It's part | | | | heart...your life and a future of healthy living. |