There are lessons to be learned from our fit brothers and sisters.
Habits that are consistent, across the board, with healthy people and these routines and tendencies can be just the examples that the less "naturally inclined to be fit" can learn from.
Fit people do not cruise parking lots You will never find a fit person driving around the parking lot at the grocery store trying to find a spot closer to the front door. Actually, I could go even a step further and say most fit people wouldn't even be in a car to begin with. They'd be walking, bag in hand to the store, smile on their face.
Why? Because they love to move their body.
They truly aren't thinking about Health Canada's recommendations that we should be getting 2.5 hours of activity a week. They aren't thinking about all the awesome health benefits their walks will provide them (like preventing chronic diseases, prolonging their independence, decreasing their stress and improving their quality of life).
They are, quite simply, enjoying the act of walking.
What I think, however, is even more important to note: Fit people do not count their walks as exercise. A walk is simply a mode of transportation for them, or a chance to get some fresh air, or an opportunity to walk the dog.
Their "exercise" will take place later when they fit in their actual workout.
Fit people do not use food as a reward system People who are fit enjoy eating clean, but they aren't martyrs either. They, too, can enjoy pizza and chocolate cake, but what they won't do is reward their "good behaviour" through the week with a binge night at the buffet table or pub on the weekend.
There is no self-talk, no negative connotation with food.
Food, to fit people, is there to fuel their body - and good, wholesome food does just that. That is the "reward" unto itself.
Fit people do not have excuses Give a fit person a busy week and he, or she, will still find the time to 1) prep their meals; 2) eat their breakfast every morning; 3) get their workouts in; and 4) get enough sleep.
There will be no excuses or whining about why they can't and why they aren't.
This is not because they are super human. It is simply because these habits are ingrained into their routines.
If you want to create new healthy habit, experts recommend you start with one and grow from there. On average, it takes 66 days to cement a new habit into our grey matter, and it's these habits that we now know are the true bits and pieces behind losing weight and getting fit.
It's not about will power or self-control. It's making these new activities become second nature to us, so that when life does throw us a curve ball, like packed schedules, it doesn't phase us. Our workout is just as much a part of our life as turning out the lights. It's learned and now instinctive.
PJ Wren is a local trainer and the fitness half of the www.gofitgals.com team.
