WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EXERCISER? THE BIG “C” WORD

WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EXERCISER? THE BIG “C” WORD

I exercise! I run! I lift weights! We’ve all heard these expressions before. But just what is “an exerciser”, “ a weight lifter” or “a runner”? Is “an exerciser” someone who makes it to the gym 3 times a month? Is “a weight lifter” someone who lifts 5 days straight, takes 10 days off and then lifts 5 days straight again? Is “a runner” someone who used to run 5 times a week but hasn’t laced-up the running shoes in months? Guess what the BIG “C” WORD is I’m looking for here? Ah, you’re getting close.

You’re either considering or have already endured life-changing weight-loss surgery because you truly want to live a long, healthy life. But you still have an important journey ahead of you and what you do on this journey will determine just how successful you’ll be. Exercising is indeed an important part of it, but more than likely you weren’t very successful at exercising in your pre-operative days and have a bad taste in your mouth about it. But what’s done is done. This is a new you now. It is time to leave the past behind and start focusing on your future. This is about the new, thin life that lay ahead, so don’t get discouraged about taking-on an exercise program—get excited. Here’s the trick. It’s that Big C-word you’ve been trying to figure out……… That’s right, CONSISTENCY.

The most important part of exercise isn’t how many miles you can run or how much weight you can lift; the most important part is staying consistent. A few days of exercise here and there isn’t going to cut it. In fact a few weeks isn’t. It has got to be a life-long, consistent habit; that is if you want to maintain your weight-loss. That is if you are dedicated to living the life you desire. When you stay committed and remain consistent, exercising becomes just a routine part of your day. Something you “just do”, and possibly something you’ll become passionate about.

Now, you have to be careful during your post-operative journey. It is easy for your mind to trick you into believing that you are on track with exercising and doing everything you should be doing, and your mind might be right. But truth be told, there are no quick fixes in this life. We can take-on an exercise regimen for four weeks and not see much weight-loss at all. This is when the problem starts. Americans are used to speed and efficiency. We want fast results, and when we don’t get them we become frustrated and we give-up. We throw up our hands and say “this is useless.” Patience my friends…. patience.

So just what can you do to get on track and stay consistent with exercising? What can you do to avoid that give-up attitude? Try these tips.

1. Be honest with yourself: Only you know the truth, but it is very easy for your conscious mind to rationalize that you “can’t” exercise or that you just don’t have the time to do it. In other words—to make excuses. Be aware excuses and don’t let them overtake you.
2. Make a commitment to yourself: Hey, if you sit down and really make the commitment that you are going to exercise at least 3 days a week for six months, there’s a better chance you’ll succeed. And I guarantee you’ll see results—tremendous ones.
3. Stay off the scale for 2 months: Scales can be deceiving. Stay away from them because if you see something you don’t like, that give-up attitude is waiting right around the corner, a perfect recipe for failure.
4. Don’t make excuses: Anytime you make an excuse for not being able to exercise on a given day, it means that other things in your life are more important to you than your health. Keep this in mind: What can possibly be more important than your health? Well, nothing, because all of those other things that come before exercise are meaningless if you’re six feet under.
5. Believe in yourself: Belief is conviction. When you put your mind to something and stay committed, you will succeed.

Want to know what separated true exercises from self proclaimed exercisers? Well, it's that word that starts with a "C". Read on and find out.

Thomas J. Kersting, LPC, Ph.D is the author of FAT PROOF: Power Programming Your Bodies Weight-Loss Computer (Harbor Press, coming in Winter 2006). Dr. Tom has helped countless people to lose weight with his power programming method. Please visit his website to sign up for his free e-newsletter or to receive a copy of his Power Programming Weight-Loss CD and a special free offer. http://www.fatproof.net/.

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