21 Dec 2012 Motivation – The spark that ignites
by Karl Lenser
“New Year’s Day is but one of 365 mornings each year than can afford me a new start towards glory. Life is an uphill race that becomes progressively more difficult. There is no time for dallying. Each day requires its own spur.” — George Sheehan, M.D.
“I know I need to exercise and get my body moving, but I just can’t seem to get motivated.”
How many times have you heard that statement? That simple sentence clearly sums up the issue of motivation and exercise. Most of us know that choosing to become physically active is a wise decision and should be part of a healthy lifestyle. We know that being active will give us more energy and productivity. Our self-esteem will increase, and our illness days will decrease.
However, with more than 60 percent of the United States overweight or obese (30 percent body fat or higher), the activity patterns of many individuals are less than what is necessary to combat poor health and reduce the chances for certain hypokinetic diseases, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and heart disease.
So why don’t more people become physically active? The most popular answer — “I just don’t have time.”
My reply is that those folks do not make time to get moving and improving themselves. Sleeping in or watching TV takes priority over one’s health. One’s priority elicits the behaviors that support that specific priority.
The deeper issue in getting active is finding the motivation to spark the flame of physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Motivation comes in many different forms and methods, but what I have learned over the 25-plus years in this industry is that all motivation has to come from within. You can’t make anyone get active. Each individual has to be self-motivated in order for change to occur.
Motivation is the need, drive or desire to act in a specific way to achieve a particular goal. Everyone needs a goal to get them moving. Goals give individuals a reason and a purpose for getting out the door for a walk or going to the fitness center at 5 a.m. or 9 p.m. What will it take to get a spouse or friend or yourself moving?
There are some health-related goals that should be made by everyone, and they include getting one’s body fat to around 13-16 percent for men and 17-27 percent for women; a cholesterol level of less than 200; blood pressure around 120/80; managing stress in a healthy way and to get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
Sacrifice and discipline are two things that go hand-in-hand when trying to become more active. You can’t expect to add something without giving up something else. For example, if the only time that you can exercise is at 5:30 a.m., then you may have to sacrifice a bit and get to bed earlier. I don’t always enjoy running at 5:20 a.m., but that is the best time for me based on my schedule.
It’s all about priorities.
My motivation frequently goes back to road races as they give me a purpose and reason to push myself in the early mornings. Fit folks will find a way and a time to get the workout in. Objects in motion tend to stay in motion, while objects at rest tend to stay at rest. It’s the physics of fitness in a nutshell.
You have to find your own motivation from within. Once you are motivated to move, establish a realistic goal and find ways to meet the goal. You will need discipline, desire, dedication and support from family and friends.
Discover some group exercise classes or look for a walking buddy. The social component in exercise is very powerful! No man is an island when it comes to exercise. Find something to enjoy and stick with it!
A Conway resident, Karl Lenser is the director of wellness programs at Hendrix College. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. An accomplished runner, he can be reached at [email protected].
