| Are you a fan of the "Cathy" cartoon?
Cathy's amusing (or annoying) propensity to fail at everything
she attempts gives us an insight into our own behaviour. Take
exercise. Like Cathy, we may have attempted to take up some
activity in the past, and like her, we may have given up, for
whatever reason: non-motivating leader, conflicting schedules,
too much effort required, or simply missing a class or two,
which derailed our entire train!
We are not alone. Research shows that close to 50 per cent
of people drop out within six months of adopting an exercise
program. Research also shows that people often have to make
repeated attempts at exercise before they make it an ongoing,
regular habit.
So there's hope! Here are some tips to get back on track:
- Look at all the options available
to you. There's more to exercise than aerobics classes
and weight training if that's not your bag. If you're artistically
inclined, you may like activities like dance or figure skating.
If you're the social type, you may enjoy team sports like
volleyball or group activities like walking clubs. If you're
a loner, you may prefer cycling or walking on your own.
- Find out what's offered in your
area. Check your newspaper for listings. Call your
municipal recreation department, your YM-YWCA or your community
centre to obtain schedule and cost information. Call the nearby
school or community college-they sometimes offer classes too.
You could also ask if you can watch or participate in one
class to see whether it suits you.
- Pick an activity that fits your
budget and your schedule. Are you going to be able
to attend most of the classes? If you do your activity on
your own (without classes), do you have a schedule? What might
interfere with that schedule? Anticipate obstacles and plan
a strategy to stay on track.
- Choose an appropriate level
— beginners' classes are an excellent way to "get
a feel" for an activity. There's no need to become an
athlete overnight. Worry about building up your intensity
later. For now, concentrate on attending.
The effort is well worth it. Many Canadians find that physical
activity helps them to work more efficiently by relieving mental
stress. Others find themselves more satisfied with life in general.
Try it for yourself. Then (unlike Cathy) try again!
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