Short stints better than nothing
How has your year started? On a positive note, we hope.
Can you believe it, we are now into February and you’re into your second month of exercise? You’re feeling the benefits of eating healthier too and best of all can see the Christmas stodge slowly fading from your waistline. When you see results like this your motivation to keep going increases, you want those goals you set and in another few weeks you could reach them. Well done.
Or are you like millions of people who are optimistic on January 1 and by February 1 your enthusiasm and motivation is just a distant memory? Are you still procrastinating about where to start, or waiting for a sign to give you a helping hand?
A key barrier to being active or eating better is an all or nothing mindset. If you can’t work out for an hour, what’s the point? Or I had a healthy lunch yesterday but last night I ate takeaways, so what’s the point? This type of thinking encourages you to “disengage” in positive behaviours. As humans naturally we steer clear of anything that is going to cause us pain or discomfort and exercise and weight loss are perceived as being uncomfortable.
So let’s look at an approach that may help you begin during February.
Five minutes of exercise performed once every hour may improve glucose and insulin levels in obese people better than an hour-long session.
Another study found that a 10-minute ride on a stationary bike improved cognitive responses as opposed to someone who sat and read for 10 minutes.
And immune function may be significantly enhanced with a 20-minute bout of exercise. Eating some fruit and vegetables is better than eating none. Drinking some water each day is better than drinking none. Getting some sleep is better than none.
Research proves that something is better than nothing when it comes to exercise and eating better.
So let’s get going in February. Begin by thinking how a short 20-minute workout at the gym, a 1- minute walk around the block, a 10-minute bike ride will enhance your health. It doesn’t have to be hours long. Adopt a few healthy eating habits. Next time you go out for coffee avoid the sweet treats, or cook yourself an omelette with some vegetables instead of toast and honey for breakfast. Making small changes will encourage a positive mindset and will have a far bigger impact on your well being than doing nothing.
Several “somethings” per day will become “a lot” of things over time — and you may not even feel as though these things are taking much extra time. Then over time you will find that lack of time will cease to be an issue.
■ Come and see us today — we are here to help you get started. Her Fitness 59 Ingestre St, P3489121 or E:results@herfitness.co.nz
■ Angela Hewson is director of Her Fitness and a qualified personal trainer.