When we think of getting in shape, we often chose our preferred
method, whether it be getting a gym membership, running, or
signing up for Zumba classes, to name a few. It seems we tend to put all our
eggs into one basket.
I advocate treating
our health like we do our financial investments…diversify, diversify, and
diversify. We know that our financial health depends on our money being
allocated in a diverse portfolio, so that when one investment stops producing
(or worse, takes a hit) we have other investments that are growing and
hopefully covering our losses. Your health is a lot like that. If you invest in
one place, for example a gym membership, as your only option for getting fit,
you are setting yourself up for failure. Why? Something will happen that will
keep you from going as much as you need to. It’s not a “maybe something will
happen”, something WILL happen because life happens… (Car breaks down, can’t
afford it anymore, can’t find child care, don’t feel like driving, or you run
out of time). The same happens if you just chose running and a rainy month gets
you off track. Maybe you’ve chosen those Zumba classes and will experience the
same pitfalls as trying to get to the gym. I find that I can get my workout in
everyday I’m scheduled for it if I have multiple options. Here are the “tools
in my tool belt (aka options)” and how by themselves I can be set up for
failure and how by having all of them I am successful.
-
Gym membership- I love going to the gym. I get
at the Gym what I can’t get any place else; personal attention from someone
with fitness expertise and access to variety of quality equipment. Sometimes I
learn something new just by watching another member perform an exercise. The
drawback is that I have to drive there and I have to factor in travel time,
childcare, and gas. It’s easy to talk myself out of making the trip some days
so it’s good that I have other options. Like…
-
A Home Gym- I am lucky to have a home gym,
complete with treadmill, recumbent bike, weight bench and dumbbells, DVD player
and mats. You don’t need all of this though. A simple set of light, medium, and
heavier weight dumbbells (or exercise bands) and a little bit of space in your
living room or bedroom are all you really need. Home gyms are great when you
are pressed for time and can’t get to the gym. Sometimes I forget to wash my
workout clothes or just don’t feel like being presentable so it’s great to be
able to work out where no one is watching (except my yellow lab). However, sometimes
working out at home doesn’t “work out” lol. As a stay at home mom, I just need
to get out of the house sometimes. When the kids are home, they want to be
where Mommy is. If I’m in my home gym, so are they. It can be difficult to
concentrate on the workout or do a fitness DVD without tripping over them. I
have mitigated this a little by making a “kid friendly” area in my home gym,
complete with two kids sized cushy armchairs and TV, but if hubby is home, off to
Planet Fitness I go or to:
-
Boot Camp/ fitness class/ or sport: Sometimes I
can talk myself out of going to the gym because I get bored…you know like the
commercial “I lift things up…I put them down…” lol. I may not actually feel
like exercising at all, but know once I get into an exercise class or boot camp
with other people, I will have fun! The social aspect of this kind of training
is so rewarding and FUN. It can bring me out of my shell! I also like tennis or
going someplace to hike, when I have time for a change of scenery. I go when I
can but let’s face it, we are usually talking about something that requires
time and travel. So when I want a change of scenery, but don’t want to drive to
get there, it’s time to:
-
Run/ Bicycle: I can strap on a pair of sneakers and an Ipod
and head out my front door or hop on my bike to enjoy an energetic workout. But, then it rains
sometimes so I’m back on the treadmill at the gym or in my home gym. Then
sometimes I can’t get any kind of workout in so it’s good that I:
-
Eat Healthy- this is the most important tool in
your tool belt. You can win 80% of your weight loss/ weight control battle just
by eating clean and controlling your portions. It gives you a lot of wiggle
room when you can’t get a workout in.
Not only can having several workout options keep you from
missing an exercise day, it keeps it fun. Variety is the “spice of life”.
Variety in your workouts keeps it interesting and keeps you going. By the way,
your body likes it too and your results will be even greater J
I’d love to hear about your diverse portfolio of workout options J
I’m not
perfect…I’m just trying to figure out this whole health thing, just like you.
Thanks for letting me share my experiences with you J
Please consult your
doctor before beginning or changing your diet and exercise regimen.
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