PSYCHOLOGY OF EXERCISE

It is important to keep changing your routine and set new goals. This prevents monotony and gives one something to work towards.

Exercising regularly is not the easiest thing in the world. Not all of us have the good fortune of actually "liking" exercise. Having said that, it is possible however to train your self to enjoy it (well, at least for the most part). It is all in the mind!

There has been so much media hype about it (and rightly so), that it is hard to find an educated person today who is unaware of the benefits of regular exercise. Whether they act on it is another story altogether.

Why this complacency when the writing is on the wall? Maybe a sense of invincibility smothers us. Like the smoker who believes he will never fall victim to lung cancer, most of us think we can bypass that responsibility for the day without repercussions.
One step at a time

There is a psychology behind learning to exercise regularly. To begin with, focus on goals, both short term and long term. Visualise the positive changes in your body (both internal and external) while you go through the motions. Envision a healthier, slimmer, stronger you.

Don’t get discouraged by the gym rat or by slow progress. One step at a time, as you begin to feel better every day, and you really will, when the endorphins start kicking in.

I encourage people to see this as time alone for themselves. Most people multi-task trying to make ends meet. Rarely do they even have the opportunity to connect with themselves during the course of the day. Use this as a time to contemplate, unwind and de-stress.

How does one de-stress while breathless on the treadmill? The mere act of the repetitive, structured movement of the extremities diverts the mental stress to the physical action and actually creates alpha waves in the brain that generate a calm state of mind.

As you continue to work the cardiovascular system, the endorphins released give you the elevated mood and improved moral.

When this is repeated frequently enough, you start to look forward to that very activity that causes the "high". It feels great when it’s completed and the results are indisputable. This is reason enough to keep at it.
Making it a habit

According to the transthoretical model of change, an individual goes through a series of stages before the act of exercise becomes a habit. This could take as long as five years of regular exercising for you to fall into the category where "Fitness" is part of your lifestyle.

During the course of this process there may be many an occasion that can challenge your resolve and you may find yourself sliding backwards. But there is always the option of getting back on the wagon.

Initial rapid weight loss can be exhilarating. Inspiration in itself. Then comes the plateau. During the plateau phase it is important to find something other than your weight to keep you motivated. The compliments slow to a crawl and the scale doesn’t move. Keeping the weight off is just as hard work and you need to compliment yourself on that.

Take up other projects in the meantime and stop obsessing about the scale. This is a time when exercise can wane and inspiration runs low but persistence invariably pays off and the plateau gives way to a new horizon.
Maintenance phase

Then comes the maintenance phase where you have achieved your goals, but have to sustain it. Or improve your already excellent condition. Although not as hard as the earlier phases, there can be a sense of complacency that may result in return to earlier habits and weight gain.

I believe it is important to keep changing your routine and set new goals. This prevents monotony and gives one something to work towards. There’s always place for improvement.
Feel good

Emotional eating, stress, fatigue, travel, lack of sleep can all interfere with good intentions. Feel good about yourself, including the body you are in now.

Sometimes it may be required to lay off a little with the exercise or indulge in your favourite treat.

Keeping things in perspective and priorities right will get you the results you want and try and have fun while doing it.