Written by
Lisa Hampton, MS
If you’re like many people, getting in shape and losing weight are your top goals this year, especially after all the festivities of the holidays. But you know how this story goes – you make some changes for a while but they only last a few weeks. Then you feel guilty and disappointed for not keeping your resolutions. It’s understandable to be enthusiastic at the start of a New Year but it’s also perfectly human not to be able to maintain the momentum.
People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily. – Zig Ziglar
No matter what goals you’re striving for this year, improve your chances for success by infusing your goals with patience, compassion and mindfulness.
Be PATIENT with yourself as you begin a new fitness program. There are lots of new forms of movement and programs to choose from and they take time to learn. I see many students get frustrated because they can’t do a yoga pose in class. Then I ask them if they’ve ever done it before and they say no. Why put so much pressure on yourself to do well when you’re learning something new? It takes time and practice, day by day to improve and then sometimes, you’ll still fall out of tree pose! Lesson – Stop being so serious and have fun!
Show COMPASSION for a body that hasn’t moved in a while or has aging and/or injured joints. Start slow and be aware of each and every moment as to how you’re feeling. For example, Mary says she’s going to walk for 30 minutes every day. It seems like a reasonable goal except that Mary has knee issues and hasn’t walked in 6 months. After 10 minutes of walking, Mary’s knee starts to hurt but she continues because she “has” to get her 30 minutes completed. After a few days of this, Mary’s knees hurt so bad that she has to stop and complains that exercise isn’t for her! Obviously, Mary needs to reset her goals and/or find another form of movement. Lesson – Be kind to yourself!
Practice MINDFULNESS as often as you can. If you’re mindful when you set your goals, you’ll make choices that are more aligned with your true nature and actually enjoy yourself. By staying mindful during your exercise sessions, you’ll gain insight and appreciation for how your body moves and reduce chances of injury. In addition to the physical benefits, mindful fitness transforms you emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as well, creating lasting change this year and for many more. Lesson – Honor your true self!
“I get by with a little help from my friends.” The Beatles
I’ve been teaching outdoor group fitness for over 15 years and one sentiment that has been expressed over the years is how nice it is to walk and exercise with other people. I created Park Fitness so that people could enjoy exercising outdoors and learn how to use the park environment for strength training exercises. Every Saturday morning from 8:00 – 9:30, our group meets at Balboa Park or La Jolla Cove to soak up the sun, breathe in the fresh air, move our bodies and share a few laughs. Park Fitness is a moderate intensity walking workout for those who like being outside but aren’t ready or not aligned with the ‘boot camp’ format. What are you waiting for – your friends are waiting!
For more information, please call Lisa Hampton, MS at 619.224.2101 or visit her website for more information on how mindful fitness may improve your life.