Part of the reason so many people make New Year’s resolutions that never last, or rush into the latest crash diets only to gain the pounds back later is that there is no quick fix for health and fitness.
Anyone who wants to improve their lifestyle and change a chubby body for a lean one has noticed something that needs much improvement, but unfortunately few stop to think about how long it took to get in bad shape and recognize that it can take just as long to undo the damage. Sadly, the modern world is full of calorie-laden foods and labor-saving gadgets, and it’s all too easy to gradually lose your shape just by taking advantage of the convenience life now offers us. Sedentary jobs and a lot of sitting down only add to the problem, so anyone serious about getting in shape must accept that it will require a lifestyle change.
Getting in shape requires no expense. You can satisfy our need to feel like we’re doing something about our problems if we go out and grab pedometers and books full of healthy recipes, but the secret to health isn’t really a secret at all. You need to expend more energy than you consume and you need to use your whole body as well as your mind.
Bright toys can help, but you have to wonder if the novelty will wear off. Around the world, people get fit using game consoles connected to peripherals like the Wii Fit Board or a dance mat, but when the novelty wears off, the fitness level drops again. Similarly, gyms run their business in a way that expects their memberships to go unused. Human nature has us drawn to new and fresh things, but we’re still hardwired to enjoy sugar and kick back!
For these simple psychological reasons, true fitness and ongoing health require commitment, dedication, and a lifestyle change. Accept that you can get fit by going up and down stairs or walking around the neighborhood spending money on exercise equipment, but you need to know what will work for you. Will you walk in the heat of summer and also in the depths of a snowy winter? Or is a treadmill with a TV in front of it better for you? If it’s the latter, can you be absolutely sure you won’t be bored?
Likewise, while it can be fun to try new recipes and learn how to make a meal, when you get home from work after overtime and are tired, will you get upset? Would it be easier to stock up on low-fat ready meals?
Some people can make the necessary change after a health scare. Some will do it for their family. Still others find that one day they just realize it’s time to make a change. However, many get help, whether it’s from a counselor, a diet plan like Weight Watchers, or a hypnotist. Everyone needs to find what will work for them and tailor their efforts directly to their own needs. There is no quick fix, there is no magic bullet, you have to be ready and mentally strong. Once you’re in the right frame of mind, it’s time to get started, but start slowly and don’t expect miracles. You have the rest of your life ahead of you, use it wisely!