The fresh start of a new year holds promise for people across many areas as new expectations are set. Attempts to reconcile the road to those expectations begins anew. Developing new habits can be challenging. It takes about 21 days to develop a habit (good, bad or ugly is still 21 days!)
When it comes to returning to or beginning an exercise program start slowly and work towards a goal each day, week and month. The big-picture goal is important but a person needs to have smaller accomplishments on the road to reaching the ultimate goal.
Keeping with the exercise example, going from couch to treadmill will evoke a flury of feedback from all muscle groups….”what did you just do to me?!?” That is negative feedback and discouraging. Gradual progression in cardio, weight training or other forms of exercise is essential to success. Gradual progression does not mean taking 5 days off after a session! The 2nd or 3rd day of exercise should contain enough variety so that the same muscle groups aren’t getting pounded every day.
If you have any questions about exercise program design, progression or goal setting, contact us.
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January 12, 2009 at 3:42 pm
annemoss
Our gym gets an onslaught of newbies every year who drop out within a month. I just think people need to be less obsessive at the start and think of it as incorporating exercise into a schedule instead of killing themselves to the point of never wanting to return again.