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Here we are again ready for a new year and resolutions. How many of us maintain and sustain them? Resolutions of improving our health and fitness are usually at the top of the list. We do a wonderful job starting and sustaining an exercise fitness program for about two weeks then after that it seems impossible because of all the other commitments, responsibilities-even quitting because we don’t see a quick enough change. It really isn’t so hard if we just give ourselves 17 minutes. Yes, 17 minutes of hard work to build a habit. For most sedentary individuals some positive changes will be noticed. So, you think to yourself, “how can I get anything out of just 17 minutes or even walk into the gym and leave, what will people think?” Don’t worry about what anyone thinks, this will work. The last time we went to the gym we may have spent about 1 hour there and maybe we worked hard and maybe we could have worked harder. So here we are thinking about our busy day and possibly getting to the gym…then, canceling that idea bleeps right through our mind with some guilt, failure and frustration. We’ re so conditioned to think we have to find 1 hour in this packed day of ours. But if we condition ourselves to only 17 minutes, it will get done, and if not at the gym then at home. 17 minutes may not be the standard for health fitness benefits but it will make improvements and make positive changes for a healthier lifestyle and on some days you’ll even find yourself extending that time.
If your not going to try the gym then do it at home, try some calisthenics and use the cardio machine you probably already own that has instead become a clothes hanger. On alternate days of resistance/cardio simply concentrate on the cardio for the entire 17 minutes… go for a hard walk, jog, rebound exercise, jump rope or even dance. You can even apply some stretching in between and again while relaxing before bedtime. Alternate your days this way for six days and rest one. If at the gym take some time to learn about the different machines there. Ask questions, get some help even go there when it’s slow so you can take some time to understand the proper use of different machines, areas they work and why. Hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions is a great idea, especially for proper form and safety.
17 minute conditioning will eventually become a way of life without the guilt, excuses and frustration. You won’t always be perfect but there’s a better chance of staying with it; remember, “there’s always time to fit it in.” When we start to take care of ourselves in one area of life we naturally do it in other areas as well, even our diet and our surroundings. Life becomes less hectic and we find more time, time even to slow down with what’s important making us and those in our lives much happier.
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