True health means being fit, able to do most anything you want to do, and not feeling as if your body is slowing you down. But how many of us actually have that? I think many of us talk the talk but don’t actually walk the walk. I’ve got the top 7 reasons why you’re not doing it and how to fix it.
You don’t get enough sleep. Starting off strong by recommending you lie flat on your back! Doesn’t seem like great fitness advice, does it? However, sleep deprivation actually causes us to make poor choices, including blowing off a workout. If you get between 7 and 8 hours of sleep per night, your internal systems will run more smoothly, your mental state will improve drastically, and you’ll get your workouts in more often.
You eat crap. I love the guys in the fancy BMWs standing at the gas pump putting in the high octane stuff because they want their “babies” to run at their best. Most of ‘em have guts hanging over their belts that clearly shows they don’t do the same for themselves. Maybe you’ve been adding a few more salads into your week lately, which is a start, but if you’re still scarfing down pizza, hamburgers, and french fries a few times a week, you’re not doing yourself any favors. Treat junk food as a special treat only and limit to no more than twice a week.
You watch 7 hours of TV a day! The average American spends almost as much time in front of the TV as they do at their jobs! You’re not only not working out, but you actually burn more calories reading a book than watching TV (you shift in your seat more apparently when reading). Watching “The Biggest Loser” is not going to make you a Biggest Loser … just bigger.
You have two modes: diet mode and eat whatever you want mode. When we’re dieting, we’re watching calories, measuring out meals, tracking in a journal, and checking in on the scale. All things to get us moving in the right direction. But then we hit our goal weight (or just give up in frustration) and ricochet back to where we were which is often worse than where we were before. You need to find the happy medium between living like a monk and partying like a celebrity. Try to integrate small changes into your life slowly so that you become more healthy over time instead of just whipsawing back and forth.
You don’t do cardio hard enough. Maybe you actually hit the gym two to three times per week, but you’re not doing your cardio hard enough to make a difference. It might be the same workout you’ve done for months and your body has conditioned to it or might be you’re strolling along on a treadmill with a trashy magazine thinking that this “counts.” If you’re not a big sweaty pile of goo at the end of your workout, it’s not hard enough. Do more.
You ignore weight training. Weight training is crucial for fitness. We need to lift, push, and pull heavy things to keep our muscles strong and vibrant. If you’re just a runner and never do any weight training, you might have strong legs but I bet you can’t even do one pushup from your toes. We need cardio combined with weight training to live a healthy and fit lifestyle.
You hop from fad to fad. Maybe it’s martial arts one month and P90X the next. Or you try yoga for a while, think it’s too slow, and slam yourself around in a boxing gym. While variety is great, it really helps to stick with two to three activities that you enjoy and try to develop them to the best of your abilities. You’ll see greater returns on your time investment and you’ll feel empowered from your newfound skills.
Like many things in life, getting fit is often about focus. By trying to concentrate on making simple changes in just a few areas, you’re likely to see greater results than by attempting a complete lifestyle change. Let me know what reasons have kept you from being fit now or in the past.
Cheers!
Lisa
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Thanks for this Lisa, this is a great post. I even believe that finding a work out buddy is the best support. You can’t let a friend down. Fads are great, but friends in fitness are forever.
That’s a great way to put it Kathy … friends in fitness are forever! I have two women who have been working out together with me for 12 years now! :-) There’s a little more chatting than a usual class but they look great and there’s always time for coffee after L–
What a great post, Lisa; straight, no chaser. I love that sleep is at the top of the list. When that is a hot mess, everything else follows.
love the post!
and especially the part about the Beemer driving guys!
I was laughing other day at dude who was driving a Viper and he was soooo outta shape yet his car was sweeeet!
You. Make. Sense.
No kidding.
Thanks Natasha, I definitely put sleep #1 on purpose, it really is one of the most important things … L–
Lisa,
Good list here. One of the things I also think is an important tip most people don’t seem to use more often when trying to stay fit is getting enough water during the day. It’s good for losing weight and building muscle.
-Mitchell
Mitchell, that’s a good one to add :-)
I know it’s been said already but it’s great that you put sleep top of the pile. So under rated for health and fitness.
I think the key for a lot of people is knowledge. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions out there and some people just don’t know where to start
Thanks Jamie, glad you all recognize how important sleep truly is :-) L–
Thanks for this Lisa! It is plain and simple. I made sure that my workout at the gym today was worth my time – I was a big sweaty pile of goo!!! I just found your website and subscribed to your newsletter. You are awesome!
Tina thanks! :-) and we’ll be starting the newsletter the first week of November. :-)
Love this, Lisa! Great reminders of how “small” indulgences can really derail your progress. I needed that reminder.
Mary you’re quite welcome. Sometimes I write blog posts for myself … this was one of them. I needed the reminder too. ;-) L–