Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Weight Loss Tip #6: Find a Vigorous Activity You Love


I have a client who, like others I've worked with, realizes that she's missed opportunity to get the most out of her past fitness efforts. Why? There are a number of reasons people have less than ideal results, and most of it has to do with engagement.


Like anything worthwhile, if you want anything you're involved with to be as successful as possible, it has to have significance for you. You need to feel truly emotionally invested and committed. Sometimes that just takes maturity and determination. Sometimes it's a matter of personal discipline. But one way to ensure engagement is to pick an activity that's just plain fun.


I know people who are passionate about hiking, yoga, swimming, and, of course, running. These are all good activities to test out your own level of enjoyment (provided running is not too demanding for your lower body joints). But sometimes you have to venture off the beaten track. I have a heavy punching bag and a target bag in my studio and after nearly a year, my client expressed interest in learning how to box (I teach traditional, pro-style boxing as well as doing fitness training).


A powerful transformation takes place when she gets those gloves on! And whenever we work in mitt and bag drills, she pushes herself to unprecedented levels of intensity, always ending with a big smile on her face.


Boxing training is great fun, but it's not for everybody. Other demanding, slightly less traditional but higher intensity exercise activities include dancing, roller blading, racket sports, martial arts and rock climbing.


Try something new. You never know what might open up for you and bring you to that next level of both program success and sheer enjoyment.

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