Get Motivated to Get in Shape
Healthy Aging Depends on It

It's never too late to get in shape, even if you've never exercised or participated in sports a day in your life. Fitness becomes even more important as you age to keep your body and mind functioning properly.

Don't be one of those baby boomers who choose to continue an unconscious lifestyle of little or no physical activity and poor eating habits and set themselves up for a future of pain, medication and dependence on others.

It's not hard to get motivated. There are so many reasons to get fit. The promise of improved wellness, weight loss, and pain relief are excellent reasons to get in shape.

1. You need to make the decision.

You must make a conscious decision to improve your health because you want to, and not for, or because others say you should. I can give you all the reasons in the world why you should exercise, but it will do no good unless you are ready to change your attitude.

Anyone that is in touch with reality today knows that physical activity is vital for good health. Yet, the majority of adults do not participate in any type of physical activity on a regular basis. Many start, but most drop out sooner or later. Many of the best health clubs rely on yearly contracts to make big profits because of this very simple fact. Within 6 weeks after joining a gym the average person stops working out.

We are like children. If forced to do something we will most likely rebel and do the opposite. The decision to make a change in lifestyle is not an easy one, and it's one that can be made only by you.

2. Enjoy what you're doing.

Although you can have the best intentions and be very motivated to get in shape, if you don't enjoy the activity or get satisfaction from it in some way, it's unlikely that you will continue.

If exercising sounds really awful to you find a way to make it more attractive. Many find listening to music makes their jogging more enjoyable. For others working out with a friend or joining a group with similar interests is motivating.

I had no problem getting motivated to exercise on my cross trainer. It got rid of an aching lower back that had kept me from getting a descent night's sleep for years. But it was boooring. I found a way to overcome the boredom by recording my favorite TV programs and movies and watching them while I exercised, and it still works, five years later! If the movie is very intense I have been known to forget myself and double my exercise time.

My husband listens to music while he swims. He has a waterproof walkman on which he records his favorite music and changes the selection often to keep it interesting. He gets into the music and into the rhythm of the strokes and nothing can stop him. He says that some days he feels like he's flying.

3. Get results.

In order to stay motivated, you must see results from all your hard work. Looking good, stress relief, improved memory, improved sleep, increased energy, are just a few of the great results you can expect from getting fit.

Although my initial motivation to exercise was to relieve back pain, these days I exercise because apart from knowing its' good for me, I have become addicted to feeling energized, and that's the best motivation for me.

When we set goals for ourselves and accomplish them it gives us incentive to continue or even challenge ourselves further. We baby boomers are not ready to sit back in those rocking chairs yet. Just because our age sounds old doesn't mean we have to feel old. There is still so much living to do, places to see and new things to learn and we should feel as good as we can to enjoy it all.

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