3. To each his own activity
If you want to make your good habits stick for a long time, the most important thing is to enjoy your physical activity. It must fit in with your schedule and personality. Before investing time, money, and energy in a new activity, take a few minutes to answer these questions:
- What kind of person am I? If you are more intellectual and need to clear your head during your activity, then look to yoga, cross-country skiing, etc. If, on the other hand, you want action, try more energetic activities like boxing, climbing, and snowboarding.
- How much time do I have? Take the time to look at your work and family agendas! Are you free in the morning, at lunchtime, after work, in the evening? If your schedule is really packed, think about exercise you can do at home: skipping rope, free weights, yoga (using videotapes).
- What are my goals? To improve my fitness level, I can try martial arts or weight training. My flexibility? How about ballet or gymnastics for adults. Lose weight? Try speed walking or swimming. Relax? Yoga or Pilates. Or simply have fun? Why not join a salsa class?
- Alone or on a team? If you like to socialize and spend time with friends, turn to team sports and forget about the Tai Chi!
- What is my budget? Some activities are more expensive and require special equipment, for example: skiing, golf, and horseback riding. Others, such as walking and power yoga, are not expensive at all.
Start slowly but surely!
You don't need to be in great shape to start a new physical activity. Start slowly with short, low-intensity sessions.
It is much better to get satisfaction out of small successes than be disappointed by a failure. Over time, your fitness level will improve so you can increase the duration, intensity, and frequency of the physical activity you do. Remember, it must become a part of your daily routine!
