Happy New Year 2016. Resolutions made? Resolutions broken?! Year end indulgences and inertia may urge us to get moving. Unfortunately, one month into our new regime we may have already missed two weeks of the every day boot camp we signed up for. Better luck in 2017. Not really! In considering life changes, every day begins a new year. I recall my grade four teacher once starting the class with the then curious phrase, "Today is the first day of the rest of your life". Now I get it! Change starts now. The task before us is putting one foot in front of the other, not falling backwards. It is of course useful to reflect where we have been, to build on what we have developed, learn from our mistakes and then consider our possibilities. Sometimes we attempt a 180 degree about face to get on a track that may not be ours. While there are no secrets to fitness success, there are some useful components:
1) Be reasonable in your self-expectations. First, look back! When was the last time you exercised? What did you do? Did you have fun? Why did you discontinue? It should be obvious by now, but you are not other people. One size does not fit all, so figure out how you got to where you are now and how long it will reasonably take to get to where you want to go in a manner that keeps you going.
2) Utilize available resources. Look around you. The new year personal challenge to chart a fittest-self course occurs at a time of year least conducive to movement. If you live in the northern hemisphere nature may be telling you to hibernate until the mercury rises and the snow melts. Winter wonderland activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and skating may not be right outside our door. Like the gym or fitness studio, we still have to get there. Your immediate environment may still hold opportunities for a variety of physical activities. Indoors--empty walls, floors, door frames, stairs, table and counter tops and chairs can be engaged to build strength, flexibility and stamina. The natural environment and landscape features can become our best fitness friend when we consider their possibilities for running, jumping, climbing, balancing, playing etc.
3) Work on the fundamentals. Winter has traditionally been the best time to do repairs and upkeep, and the body need be no exception. Tennis elbow, jumper's knee, plantar faciitis...there are many physical conditions that prevent us from our chosen activity. Consider a program that addresses our injuries, and restores our fitness foundation--one that focuses on breathing, alignment, balance, core strength and joint stability.
4) Have a sense of achievement. Pick one new physical skill that you can work towards and practice it for at least a few minutes every day. It may be standing on one leg for 20 seconds, doing the splits or a handstand, juggling, shooting a basket, or something more complex, like learning to tango.
Up next, more on 1, 2, 3 & 4...
1) Be reasonable in your self-expectations. First, look back! When was the last time you exercised? What did you do? Did you have fun? Why did you discontinue? It should be obvious by now, but you are not other people. One size does not fit all, so figure out how you got to where you are now and how long it will reasonably take to get to where you want to go in a manner that keeps you going.
2) Utilize available resources. Look around you. The new year personal challenge to chart a fittest-self course occurs at a time of year least conducive to movement. If you live in the northern hemisphere nature may be telling you to hibernate until the mercury rises and the snow melts. Winter wonderland activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and skating may not be right outside our door. Like the gym or fitness studio, we still have to get there. Your immediate environment may still hold opportunities for a variety of physical activities. Indoors--empty walls, floors, door frames, stairs, table and counter tops and chairs can be engaged to build strength, flexibility and stamina. The natural environment and landscape features can become our best fitness friend when we consider their possibilities for running, jumping, climbing, balancing, playing etc.
3) Work on the fundamentals. Winter has traditionally been the best time to do repairs and upkeep, and the body need be no exception. Tennis elbow, jumper's knee, plantar faciitis...there are many physical conditions that prevent us from our chosen activity. Consider a program that addresses our injuries, and restores our fitness foundation--one that focuses on breathing, alignment, balance, core strength and joint stability.
4) Have a sense of achievement. Pick one new physical skill that you can work towards and practice it for at least a few minutes every day. It may be standing on one leg for 20 seconds, doing the splits or a handstand, juggling, shooting a basket, or something more complex, like learning to tango.
Up next, more on 1, 2, 3 & 4...
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