….and here’s How to Navigate “The Road Less Travelled”.
As M. Scott Peck said in his book The Road Less Traveled, “We cannot be a source for strength unless we nurture our own strength.”
Just think about the context of that quote for a moment while relating it to your own level of health and fitness and how you might see yourself in the future.
I firmly believe fitness, good health, longevity, and independence into old age, is a relationship solely between you and your body. In other words, “If it is to be, it is up to me.”
Here is an unfortunate fact of life succinctly explained in this quote by Stephen Covey, from his bestselling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “Most of us think we don’t have enough time to exercise. What a distorted paradigm! We don’t have time not to. We’re talking about three to six hours a week – or a minimum of thirty minutes a day, every other day. That hardly seems an inordinate amount of time considering the tremendous benefits in terms of the impact on the other 162 – 165 hours of the week.”
That quote pretty much says it all but still, there are far too many people out there who think they have no time for bodily exercise, but, sooner or later they will have to find time for illness as a result of their inactivity.
Lifestyle is also closely related to chronic disease. If you already have a chronic condition, you might have questions about exercising.
How often can you exercise? Which exercises are safe? And also, your need to understand the basics of exercise and chronic disease. Go here to learn all about How Exercise Can Improve a Chronic Condition.
As you age, resting and rusting (sitting) becomes the quiet killer; but fortunately, it is NEVER too late to halt or even reverse the aging process and discover the many benefits and pleasures of healthy eating and engaging in an anti-ageing exercise program.
So, now would be a good time to check out my article 4 Anti-Aging Exercise Ideas to Help Combat the Aging Process.
These changes to your lifestyle are the cornerstone to your future independence. Learn to think like this: “If I change my lifestyle I will change my life (for the better).”
You might read this and write it off as being too late for you at your stage of life. Well, just remember this: Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
My experience is that most people have no idea how good their body is designed to feel. But I can guarantee you that you’ll never regret exercising, but you’ll always regret not exercising.
To be very blunt, the only thing standing between you and your better health is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can’t achieve it.
Starting is what’s stopping most people. So, get started.
And, how do I get started you might ask?
Just get out of bed, pull on some clothes and go. Don’t give your brain time to make up excuses.
Find an activity you can enjoy for the rest of your life…..because that’s how long you’ll need to keep doing it. Check out this article too as it will tell you Why Strength Training is SO Important as You Start Aging.
Health and fitness isn’t a look, it’s a feeling.
So, ask yourself this question: “How do I feel at the moment?”
Our bodies are our allies, and they are always influenced and shaped by our thoughts and beliefs so there lays your answer.
Exercise changes your body…..but it also changes your mind, your mood, and your attitude. Isn’t that enough reason to change your lifestyle and habits?
I have always been a great believer in lifelong learning.
So the analogy when it comes to our own personal fitness program is “PROGRESSION” – it is the only key to continuous improvement.
James Clear nailed it when he said; “What got you here won’t get you there. If you want to see different results, you have to do something different. If you want to see progress each week, then you have to progress each week.”
A little tip on getting started with your new fitness program: “A year from now you will wish you had started today.”
Fitness for health and longevity is not a competition or about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be and about having independence in your retirement years. Put in the work. You don’t get what you wish for.
You only get what you work for.
It is never too late to be the person you could have been so grab a friend and get going.
My final motivational thought for you is this: When you feel like quitting, remember why you started.
Cheers – John – your Active Ageing Mentor and Coach – it is my mission is to help you pull down the roadblocks to a better life.
P.S. Help a friend find better health – like and share. Thanks.
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