Workouts are like play dates for adults. When our children are young, we make an effort to be sure they have opportunities to play with other children their age. We sign them up for all different activities to keep their brains and bodies active and get or keep them socialized.
As the kids grow up, they choose which activities they want to go back to, but they have that foundation of activities to fall back on. If your child then decides they want to do nothing, chances are you will encourage them to pick something, anything to keep them busy.
No matter what your motivation is, if it’s for health or purely for your sanity, chances are you will keep them busy.
So what happens when your parents can no longer tell you what to do?
Chances are you become lazy, set in your ways, slowly decreasing your activity level until you are left with your day-to-day activities of sleep, eat, work, chores, family responsibilities (and no where in there is your play time).
That’s where I come in … It’s time to play!
I have said it before and I will say it again: Try something new. Pick a sport, a workout class, any activity that interests you. What if your Mom only put you in team sports and you are an individual athlete? What if you had a bad experience in gym class as a kid, but there is an activity you always wanted to try? It’s your life; you have control. Try it!
Bring a friend to play. If it’s personal training sessions, most of the time the trainer will give you a discount if you are training with partners. If it’s a sport or class, it will be a lot more fun with someone you know. If you have to partner up, you’ll feel more comfortable and, if it’s hard, well, misery loves company. Make it fun.
Signing up for a series will help you stay more committed. Try it once. If you like it, suck it up and try a longer term. It takes about 24 days to create a new habit, so stick to it. It’ll soon become part of your life.
Make it your new “coffee date”. Even if you just change your sit-down coffee into a coffee-walk. You can burn an extra 300 calories compared to sitting and chatting.
Find a time of day that works for you. There are classes, sports, activities at all times of day. From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and every time in-between.
If you enjoyed jumping, skipping, hop scotch and bouncy balls as a kid, then chances are you’ll love a class that utilizes tools such as stability balls, bosu, agility ladders and tubing.
No excuses … now go on out and play! If you need more ideas, feel free to contact me. As always, I’m listening.
This column is provided by Peak Fitness. Mrs. Lee Randell is an ACE-certified personal trainer. Contact information and past articles are available at www.pkfitness.yk.ca/Clients. Anyone who wants to begin an exercise program should consult their physician first.
This column is provided by Mrs. Lee Randell, independent fitness consultant, who is an ACE certified advanced health and fitness specialist and personal trainer. You can reach her at www.mrsleerandell.com.
