The
Importance of
Exercise vs. The
Myth of Perfection by Teri Hebert
I
think there is a pervasive myth that exercise means people expect you to be thin, ripped, and a few Photoshop fixes away from being a fitness model when you wake up in the morning. BUT, fitness isn’t a tool to change others’ perception of you. Fitness is also not an end result. Fitness is a tool to change YOUR perception of your own limitations. Your health and fitness plan is about nothing more than YOU. If you are thinking of starting a new fitness plan, check out a few things that I find motivating about exercise:
1. EXERCISE IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH. That seems really obvious, but here’s what I mean: Exercising just 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week fights heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Heart disease is the number one killer of adults in the U.S. today. What if that could be prevented by exercising for 30 minutes a day?
2. EATING HEALTHIER ALSO REDUCES RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Please, go eat a carrot. A cucumber. Celery! Some kind of veggie that is not smothered in ranch dressing! Then do it again tomorrow! This reduces your risk of heart disease (again, it’s the number one killer of adults – make it go away!).
3. EXERCISE IS MEANT TO BE FUN. Wait, what? But I HATE pushups, and burpees, and running, and weightlifting . . . Ok, so don’t do those things. If you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to look forward to it and make it a daily habit. Find what makes you happy and excited about getting active!
4. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS. No two people have the same body type. No two people will have the exact same results, even if working the same program. We are all different, unique, wonderful people. We were made that way! Celebrate it! Focus on YOU. Best advice I can give as you ponder either starting a new healthier lifestyle, or as you keep on your healthier path – be patient with yourself. It takes time, patience, and consistency. Celebrate the milestones along the way to your goal. Take the first step: DEFINE YOUR GOAL. Then make a plan and get moving! In addition to her Editor role with Mohawk Life magazine, Teri is a Certified Personal Trainer and Owner of THebert Fitness in Richardson (thebertfitness.com). She also hosts the CityLine location for Texas Fit Chicks Boot Camps (7am T, W, F).
