Sustainable Fitness

The concept of sustainability is on most or our minds due to the dire need to keep our planet in balance. We can transfer this mindful concept to fitness regimens, as it is essential that we keep our bodies in balance for quality of life and longevity. Finding a program that takes into consideration the future not just the present moment of getting in shape fast is the key to exercise compliance, which leads to sustainability.

Despite all of the hype promoted by gyms, infomercials, celebrities, friends and family, if a fitness regimen is not for you, you won’t stick with it.

How do you find what you can sustain among the myriad of exercise programs and classes available out there? You’ve got to find what triggers joy and excitement in you. It will most likely suit your natural biorhythms and body type.

There is a saying in athletics; we don’t find our sport, our sport finds us.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you start investigating who you are and who you are not.

Becoming conscious of what triggers passion in you will help lead you to your true fitness calling.

1- What sport did I like to do as a kid? What sport did I hate?

2- What sport did I fantasize and maybe still fantasize being a champion in?

3- What tempo do I live by? What tempo can’t I live by?

4- Am I a group person or more of a loner?

5- Do I like to sweat? Do I hate to sweat?

6- Do I love to dance at weddings? Do I hate to dance at weddings?

7- What music do I like? What music do I hate?

8-Am I self motivated? Do I need bit of prodding?

- If you’re a loner, love to sweat and like speed you might try running or cycling.

-If you hate loud booming music and hate to dance at weddings, you guessed it; you might not want to tag along with a friend to a Hip-Hop class.

-If you love to dance to the beat and love groups try Zumba, Hip-Hop or take a Salsa lesson.

-If you always wanted to be Mickey Mantle and love groups find yourself a softball league and join a team.

-If you need a little prodding, like the idea of cross training and like personalized attention you might hire a Personal Trainer.

You get the idea.

I was an armchair figure skater my entire life dreaming of twirling on the ice as I watched the sport on television. For a year I sat in the stands watching my son skate until I got the courage to ask his coach for a lesson. I was 50. I now skate 5 days a week and travel around the world to compete. I love groups, I love to dance, I’m very musical, I had been an actress and I am fulfilling a lifelong dream. Figure skating is the perfect sport for me.

Please note that this article is not written to pigeon hole you or stop you from trying something outside of your comfort zone. It’s written to make you aware that fitness is an extension of yourself and should reflect that. Your time is precious. Spend it doing something you LOVE to do, not something that you feel you HAVE to do! It will make the choice to exercise easy, effortless and sustainable for a lifetime.

The Buddy System

Do you remember when you were a kid and you had to find a buddy for class trips, swim classes, etc? You'd rush to be with a good friend, line up and then be given a number or letter to designate your pairing. Someone in charge would then call a practice drill and you'd "sound off" at the top of your lungs. As the day progressed there'd be intermittent buddy calls to make sure everyone was accounted for. Schools, camps and youth groups understood the value of keeping kids paired up. Accountability was the key. You had to watch out for one another to make sure no one got lost, hurt or "in trouble".

Now lets progress to today. The buddy system is not just for kids. It's the perfect plan for helping you maintain your fitness program. Find a good friend or relative (someone you like spending time with) with a similar schedule and workout goal and create a fitness plan together. Decide how many days you can commit to, what kind of workout you'll be doing (classes, walking, joining a gym) and how you'll be keeping in contact. You can set up a calendar on your phone or computer or create a printable calendar and post it on your fridge. Whatever gets your attention! Now, the most important thing is to commit to being held accountable. Call, text or e-mail reminders to one another. Have a buddy code name and "sound off." Be a kid again and have fun with it. Fitness should be fun and social! You'll find that it will become something you look forward to and want to do instead of "have to do."