Fitness is a state of body and mind working together to optimize the well-being and potential of a person.
Mind and body are inseparable in the human state of being, and therefore, both must be united and utilized for true fitness. A fit body is driven by motivating images, feelings and self-talk within the mind. A fit mind relaxes with the comforts of a body that is healthy and easily performs daily activities and steps up to the plate for challenges and reaching new goals. A person who stays fit takes responsibility for themselves and learns to make good choices that benefit their body and mind.
Proper management of time is essential to good health and fitness. One of the most common excuses people use for neglecting exercising and eating right is that they think they don’t have any time, and therefore they never make time for them. To overcome this, begin by taking an honest and accurate account of how you spend your day.
Create a chart beginning with whatever time you get up at and write down what you do with every half hour. For example: 7:00 Wake up, 7-7:30 Shower, 7:30-8:00 Breakfast, etc. Do that for at least one work day and one day off. Most people have some surprises when they find out where their time is actually being spent. Make an honest assessment and decide where you are spending your time that does not aid you in attaining your life values and purposes. Figure out where you can cut something out and add in regular exercise to your schedule. Plan for time to prepare healthy meals for yourself and your family.
Things that get put into your schedule are the things you will get done. If you don’t know much about exercise or eating well, find someone who does and has the type of body you would like to have and have them teach you. When the student looks, teachers will appear.
Stress is one of the leading reasons more and more people are getting less and less done. Many people feel they are too stressed to take time for exercise, or because they are stressed they grab convenience, high-calorie foods to temporarily feel better.
To break the stress and poor fitness cycle, first learn to start and end your day with some breathing exercises. Breathe in a deep breath and hold it for 4 seconds. Then exhale slowly. Do this for 1-2 minutes. There are many other breathing exercises you can practice, as well. The point is to breathe in a way that gets you to relax.
Take responsibility for yourself in your life and assess what you can control and change, and what you cannot. Instead of worrying about things that are not your business or beyond your control, focus your mind on things you can achieve. Spend time picturing the type of body you would like to have and imagine what you would have to do to achieve that. If you don’t know, find out. Most people are happy to share with someone who is genuinely interested in what they do, and they are happy to give advice. By spending your time thinking about the exercise you will do and how you will enjoy eating healthy meals, you make it much more likely that you will do them. What we focus on consistently tends to be what we do.
The most important thing you can do for yourself to live a fit and healthy life begins with taking responsibility for yourself and accurately assessing where you are now, where you want to be, and finding out how to get there. Then, put an exercise routine and healthy eating plan into your schedule and stay consistent. Focus your mind daily on the positive outcomes you want to achieve.
