Motivation | Balanced Life Fitness - Jack Kenefick Certified Fitness Trainer

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Motivation

’ Tips for Exercising During Hot Weather

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

Exercise can be a daunting task any time of the year, especially in the hot summer months. Trying to jog or walk in the heat of the day can be miserable and quite a tough task. The heat may even discourage some from trying to exercise. However, exercise is important year round, and staying hydrated is one of the most important tasks to remember when exercising in the heat.

Not only should you keep water with you while exercising in the heat, but it is important to drink water before you exercise as well. This will help keep you better hydrated during your workout. If you are walking or jogging, consider investing in some sort of hydration pack that you can wear on your waist or back so that you have water accessible at all times. If you will be participating in a very high intensity workout, consider a sports drink like Gatorade to help hydrate you as well. Following your exercise you should continue to drink fluids to replace those lost during your workout.

If the heat still seems too overwhelming for exercise, try swimming. Swimming is a great activity to burn calories and help you stay in shape. It is still important to drink water though, as dehydration can still occur.

Don’t forget to wear sunscreen anytime you will be exercising outdoors. Make sure to choose a sunscreen that is water or sweat resistant, with an SPF of at least 15. It’s not impossible to stay in shape and exercise in the heat, but by following these tips, it will be much safer.

Tags: exercise, Hot Weather, Motivation

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Making Exercise Fun!

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Exercising is something we all need to do, but we don’t always have the motivation to do it. Making exercise fun helps to make sure we get to the gym or play that step aerobics video again.

Two ways to improve your outlook on exercise are to work out with a partner and exercising to your favorite music. At the gym, a good pair of headphones allows you to blast your number one band without disturbing anyone, and gives you that extra bit of energy you need to get up and go. Liken it to having to watch your speed when driving while your favorite tunes blast on the radio!

When exercising at home, kick it up a notch with some up tempo music from your favorite artists. Incorporating dance into your aerobics workout makes for so much fun that you might even forget it is good for you. Simple everyday chores like vacuuming and dusting can be turned into quite a workout when all you have to do is dance.

A gym buddy can be wonderful motivation for keeping up with your exercise routine, and having a lot of fun in the process. While safety is definitely number one, there is room for plenty of lighthearted shenanigans when you have your best friend along for the workout. Make an event out of it; after the gym, stop by your local cafe, then head over to your favorite store to try on that outfit you’ve been dying to fit into.

Tags: exercise, fitness, Motivation, Weight Loss Training

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10 Ways To Help Motive You To Workout

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Lack of time, energy, and motivation seem to be common obstacles for men and women alike when it comes to getting busy with and sticking to an exercise program.

We live in a fast society with a lot of pressure to look toned and thin. However, the first thing a person must realize when wanting to get into shape is that their motives for wanting to get fit have a lot to do with how successful one will be in their weight loss training or fitness training. Studies have shown that people who set out to exercise with the intent to just look good or impress society have a lower chance of keeping weight off and maintaining a healthy body weight than people who incorporate exercise and a healthy diet for the health benefits, overall sense of well being, and longevity factors. Of course we all want to look attractive, but the desire to exercise must have more meaning than just the benefit of looking good.

Below is a list of 10 ways towards motivating to get into shape, including ways to trick your body and mind, as well as making time.
1.) Start with simple, attainable goals. Rather than starting with a goal of exercising for two hours five to seven days a week, set out for a goal of one month to work out for 30 minutes two to three times a week. If the goals are not reasonable, chances are a person will not stick to them. In addition, a person can trick their brain if they commit to something for atleast 28 days. The mind will take on new habits after this amount of time and it will feel normal rather than like a struggle after the body and mind get fixed into new habits.

2.) Start eating healthy, take vitamins, and drink lots of water. Again, the 28 day habit trick will work here as well. Even if not starting a weight loss training or exercise program just yet, adjusting eating habits will do wonders for the way a person feels and can increase energy levels. Replacing white flour with whole grains, whole grain pasta instead of white pasta, doubling up on vegetables, not eating after 5 p.m., and eating a larger breakfast and smaller dinner are just some of the ways in which to start eating healthy.

3.) Hiring a personal trainer is another wonderful idea for many people. A personal trainer or fitness trainer can be a big help with motivation and can get a person on track. Sometimes this is the best choice for someone who lacks the self discipline. A fitness trainer can help a person know their limits as well as push them to where they need to be. Levels of fitness training vary with each person and it is hard to know sometimes which exercises are going to be the most beneficial for each individual.

4.) Tune into television programs or read about others’ success stories. This is a very powerful approach in getting motivated. It is always nice to know there are others out there who have been where we are and can give us a boost of confidence and reassurance that each person is capable of reaching their goals.

5.) For those with extremely busy lifestyles, block scheduling can be an effective tool. Sometimes the small amount of television time or two hours of internet time can be substituted with a short workout.

6.) Getting involved in fun activities that require exercise, such as dancing or playing for a softball team.

7.) For people who hate the idea of working out around others at a gym, try investing in some workout DVD’s or again, hire a personal trainer to meet you at home. These are a great ideas for people with limited time and simply don’t want to exhaust themselves and sweat around a lot of people.

8.) Write a contract to yourself and sign and date it, setting the specific day in which you are going to start your exercise program. Do this in front of someone you feel the need to be accountable to.

9.) Socialize and make friends with other people who have similar goals and who live healthy lifestyles.

10.) Lastly, when you do start whatever fitness training program you choose, reward yourself once in a while with something nice. It is important to give yourself a treat and credit for a job well done and for taking the steps toward a healthier life.

Tags: Motivation, Personal Training, Weight Loss, Weight Loss Training

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