Are you making the best job of fitness?
IALWAYS WONDER why it is that Jews don’t put as much time or effort into their health as other people. Could it be the fact that exercise or PE isn’t pushed in our schooling environment, or do we have an overwhelming drive to put our career before everything else? What is success and how do we define it? Success comes in many varieties. Career progress is definitely one gauge. However, our health, whether emotional or physical, can often be forgotten.
Have your health and family suffered at the expense of your career? Seriously, I want you to think about it right now.
If it is an effort to play footy with your children in the park because you become breathless after two minutes or if you struggle to walk up a flight of stairs without letting your heart rate max out, then you really need to ask yourself: am I prioritising what is really important in life? The answer is obviously no.
It’s ironic. As Jews we are taught to choose life over anything else, so why don’t our actions reflect this? It starts with our mind-set. Often a health goal just seems so unattainable, because we have let things go for too long.
Can this be changed? Absolutely. I’m going to give you a little tip for long-lasting health and fitness success. Instead of being generic with your goal-setting, for example “I want to get fitter” or “I want to lose weight”, try the following. Figure out your “why”.
Why do you want to make the changes in your life? Is it because you would like to enjoy your retirement and be active? Is it because you want to be able to feel fit when you play with your kids?
If you can establish your why in life, you are far more likely to stick to a routine and achieve success.
Once you have got to grips with your why, the next step is implementing a routine.
Another point that often lets Jews down is that we tend to be time-poor. We can’t — or we think we can’t — dedicate the time required to make a change.
You have to look at this another way and ask yourself how you can be smart with your time. What type of exercise gives you the biggest bang for your buck?
Many people are now finding that health clubs are just too timeconsuming. What about being more productive with your time and doing workouts at home?
There are plenty of options for exercise outside the gym setting — perhaps doing circuits or buying a punch bag and boxing, or investing in cardio equipment such as a treadmill or bike.
As the owner of a mobile personal training company, I can see the value of home training and the time it saves. For one thing, you will cut out the procrastination of saying “I’ll go to the gym in 20 minutes”.
In any case, if you are starting out, a gym can be an intimidating place. In your own environment, you can feel comfortable.
Now, here are two more tips to get you started.
First, let your calendar become your best friend. Pencil your workouts into your diary, in the same way as you would any other appointment. Plan the week and try to stick to your dedicated times.
Second, tell people that you are embarking on a weight-loss or fitness journey. Ask your friends and family for support and accountability to keep you on track when you’re wavering with food or exercise.
Having a tight bubble of people around you to support you will lead to a greater chance of hitting your fitness goal.
It is never too late to make a change and turn things around. Spend just five minutes really understanding why you want to make a change. I guarantee you will have more clarity and you’re bound to take action straight away.