GETTING STARTED WITH FITNESS: By Marie Tortora Reluctant to start a new fitness program? What’s been keeping you? Perhaps you are afraid it may be another failed attempt or the task itself seems daunting. That is a shared fear of many people. Don’t look at starting a new workout program as a temporary change, but think about beginning a workout program as a permanent lifestyle change. This will help keep your goals realistic and attainable. Perhaps you even look at exercise as something that is a chore, but changing your mindset will help you stick with it and enjoy the journey into making a lifelong change.
FOR THE RELUCTANT EXERCISER As you consider leading a healthier, more active life, think about your reasons for making this change. What is motivating you to take the next step to a healthier you? Many of us are motivated by the thought of improving our appearance initially, but there are many reasons to begin an exercise program. Being able to move about more easily in our daily lives, reducing stress and anxiety, improving our general health, becoming stronger, and living longer are also good reasons. As we age, our bodies lose muscle and can become stiff. Sticking with a regular
exercise program or having an active lifestyle can enhance your quality of life as you age. Pick a few specifics that are most important to you, to remind yourself about why you started this journey along the way. TIPS FOR PICKING THE BEST WORKOUT FOR YOU AND WAYS TO STICK WITH IT! Pick an activity you might enjoy. Sometimes non-traditional forms of exercise like playing basketball with a friend or going for a hike can be more enjoyable as an activity and don’t have to feel like a chore. (Continued on page 26)
(Continued from page 22) Students are trained cognitively, strategically, and emotionally in how to deal with disappointment, whether it’s not placing at a tournament, not breaking a board on the first try, or failing a belt testing. Challenging kids in such a way; and holding them to higher standards lets them understand on a cognitive level how valuable and capable they are. The lessons learned also resonate in every part of their being because they have lived through them. As a result, they are less likely to become a target or to be victimized, they experience less fear and anxiety, and they are able to manage daily stress more effectively. Through time and hard work, martial art training can help to cultivate well-rounded, and resilient kids who can walk the 999 others steps it takes to complete the journey to success. Dr. Sheila Rochefort-Hoehn The Zen Life Center, Inc. 407-247-7443 thezenlifecenter.com