Fighting Laziness
Sunday, March 15th, 2009
Laziness happens to all of us at some point in our lives. With the grueling hours of work each day and the seemingly never-ending family chores that need to be done, it is hard to muster the energy needed to visit a gym once every two to three days. Not visiting the gym, however, is a dangerous prospect. It is a well-known fact that the physically unfit are suspect to more diseases as they age, leading to shorter life spans. For those looking to reverse their trends of laziness, here are four tips to help overcome that desire to sit on the couch and do nothing.
Set a Gym Schedule…and Follow it - If you put an event on the calendar, you are more likely to follow-through with it. Not only will your coworkers, bosses, and family be unable to take time you have already blocked off, in most cases, but you will also get a daily reminder of making the trip to the gym. For some, this is all that is needed.
photo credit: Frances Berriman
Appoint a Trainer/Personal Coach - Most people have at least one friend who is a gym-rat. The friend that seemingly has been in-shape since he or she was born. Use this person as a motivator by asking them to personally see that you get your workout in regularly. Make sure that the one you choose is someone who will not easily give up in trying to get you off your sofa.
If you have no friends who can help, find someone in the classifieds who works as a personal trainer. It may cost a few bucks now, but the hospital bills you may save down the line are well worth it.
Workout in the Mornings - Most people make the mistake of leaving gym visits to the end of the day, when they are most tired and ready to sleep. For those who are able to get to their workouts at this time consistently, it isn’t a problem. For those who aren’t, switching to morning workouts may be the answer.
It may seem a terrible proposition to have to wake up early each morning to workout, then have to work a job all day. But in fact, lifting weights and running can be quite refreshing in the early hours and may make you more attentive at your job.
Run Errands Around the Gym - Need to stop by the grocery store to pick up a carton of milk and bread? Pick one close to your fitness center and stop by after riding a bike for half an hour or so. Need to pick up the kids from an after-school activity? Leave a hour early and do a few reps while waiting. Going out on errands doesn’t have to be time detracting from the gym.
Missing a few trips to the gym right now may not seem like such a big deal. But it forms a habit for laziness and, after a time, sets the seeds for physical unhealthiness. Take initiative and find what works best for you in getting to the gym. Otherwise, you may find yourself regretting not doing so later in life.
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Tags: Fitness, gym, lazy, working out
I’m so glad that I’m addicted to weight lifting. It’s such a good habit to get into.
I have to hit the gym all the time, if i take a break for just a few weeks I get a good old pot belly
Not only will you live longer, but as a result of being healthy I hear that you have better “performance” as well.
Till then,
Jean
For me the perfect time to workout its late in the afternoon
I think its a pretty good idea not that there aren’t other sites out there that already do something similar but I think it might catch on here pretty well
Pak team lack skill, passion and mental fitness says Wasim Akram. Do you agree?
It can be hard at times to get to the gym, especially if you work a good distance from where you live, but if you work hard at the gym it will be worth it in the end.