Keep Exercise a Priority

By SUZANNE MCGINNIS

If you heard about the teenage athletes that died as a result of heat exhaustion/stroke last week, and read my article, you probably realized the fatal consequences of dehydration, especially in August. My condolences go out to those families.
Please make sure you read last week’s article before you start any exercise program.

No time to exercise? REALLY???

When I had The 8 Count exercise studio, I had many well intentioned individuals wanting to start a fitness plan. The challenge for me was convincing those that were “on the fence” to schedule time to start moving. It didn’t have to be at the 8 Count. My motto was, if you can’t get help at The 8 Count, get help somewhere.

If there was an actual book of “neglecting your health and wellness excuses,” I think I have heard them all. The one excuse, however, that tops the charts is lack of time.

Do people that exercise have more time than those that don’t exercise? Perhaps some people have careers that are more demanding and time consuming. Maybe those with children have similar time restraints. What about those people with both a career and children? Their schedules couldn’t possibly allow time for exercise. REALLY???

The only reason someone chooses not to exercise is because they don’t make it a priority. We are ALL faced with the challenges of fulfilling obligations with the stress of time restraints; even those that exercise.

If you do not fit regular exercise into your daily schedule you are essentially saying that you don’t have time to care for yourself. You are choosing to put your health and wellness on the backburner. You are sending a message to your family and friends that feeling good and living a long healthy life is just not for you.

Exercise is the best prescription for disease prevention with only positive side effects. It promotes heart health, reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol, prevents some types of cancers, helps to prevent and cure obesity and diabetes. In my experience, exercise can also improve mood, regulate hormones, help ensure a good night’s sleep and increase energy levels.

Are you ready?

Get on a pair of walking shoes and walk out your front door. Choose a time either early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature has cooled off, at least until September. Try to walk continuously for 15 minutes in the beginning. Eventually you want to work up to 30 minutes of exercise every day. If morning or evening doesn’t work, then find a place to work out on your lunch break. It doesn’t matter when you do it but you must make it a priority, or it won’t happen.

Although walking is probably the most accessible form of exercise, choose something you enjoy. The more you enjoy the activity, the more likely you will be to stick with it. Monticello might be a small town, but there are plenty of fitness opportunities around.

If you enjoy dancing, there is a Zumba class at Turtle Cove Clubhouse on Wednesday evenings. If you enjoy biking, try a spin class at Jordan Engineering. If you like a “women only” atmosphere, Curves may be for you. For swimmers Hunter Pope offers aqua aerobics several mornings a week. If you need more structure and guidance, there are certified personal trainers available right here in Jasper County.

You would be surprised at the mini-fitness groups that have also formed in our community. There are deer dashers, track queens, church groups, sports fanatics and P90Xers. If you can’t join them, create your own.

For those who prefer working out at home try Wii fit, Netflix fitness video streaming or FitTV on Dish Network. Try getting all family members off the sofa and on their feet for a fun way to get connected and burn some calories and fat.

After you have stopped making excuses, made exercise a priority and chosen a fun way to work out, find someone to be accountable to. Invite a friend, family member or co-worker with a positive attitude and similar fitness goals, to join you.

Finally, when you want to quit remember this quote by Winston Churchill; “Never, never, never give up.” There will always be a deadline, meeting or activity that will creep its way into your daily schedule.

Resist the temptation to move exercise down your list of priorities. Your health should always remain at the top. It will be some of the most rewarding work you will ever do.

If you have any questions about this article or other fitness questions/concerns please email me at Suzanne_mcginnis@bellsouth.net.