With extreme joy and much excitement, I would like to re-introduce Jeff Ford back to the H3 Daily world! Jeff recently joined H3 as a full - time Fitness Specialist, which means he will be lending his expertise to the blogworld as well.
Before I give you his first post, here's his bio in case you have not had the chance to meet Jeff at H3 or via the H3 Daily site.
Jeff Ford, B.S., ACSM Certified Personal Trainer®
As the newest H3 Fitness Specialist, Jeff is responsible for facilitating Health Habit Review sessions, personal training sessions, fitness classes and lectures. Jeff graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. degree in Marketing and a minor in Health Sciences. He is a Certified Personal Trainer through ACSM.
So, here he is with his first post:
Uncovering Lifestyle Motivation
A lifestyle is the result of one thing: our motivation. Behind every great success, there lies a strong will and desire. In our relationships, jobs, parenthood, diet, or fitness program, our determination is the driving factor. What’s also important to remember is that when we find our motivation, hold on to it. Clench it with every muscle in the body and never turn back. Today we’ll learn how to uncover it and some key thoughts from an ACSM expert on the art of fitness motivation.
Michael Bracko Ed.D., FASCM breaks down five types of fitness that when tailored to the individual uncover true fitness motivation:
1. Functional Fitness - This category includes your leisure activities. Golfing, bowling, gardening, and playing with children or grandchildren. The idea is to stay active no matter what age.
2. Health Related Fitness - You participate in fitness for your health! Most likely, yoga, tai-chi, stretch and relaxation, involving both the mind and body. Even simply walking or casually riding a bike on an exquisite day falls into this type.
3. Physical Fitness - Involves a conscious decision to work out regularly. These are the” gym rats” or the daily walkers, runners, and bikers. If an individual’s motivation lies in this category they picture fitness as training their entire body.
4. Recreational Athlete Fitness - As a recreational athlete your motivation lies in a specific sport. Allowing for cross-training and general fitness workouts to lead you to a sport-specific goal!
5. Elite Athlete Fitness - A rare breed. Generally an elite’s focus is on a high level of training with a disregard for fun. An improved time or better race finish is the light at the end of the tunnel.
Which category drives your motivation?
The good thing is many people get their fitness motivations from more than one category, Bracko believes that by narrowing in on a personal type of fitness you’ll find that motivational niche.
Now that you’ve selected a type of fitness or better yet a combination!
Read on for a few quick recommendations that may in fact help to uncover doubly the fitness motivation:
Wake up early and knock it out. By getting up and completing a daily workout you leave no room for error. Now if something happens to come up after work, let’s just say no worries! Excuses are diminished and you’re ready to tackle the day.
Create a workout binder. Personally, a workout binder is essential to my overall success. Begin by creating a collage of pictures that will serve as your cover, the pictures should include anything and everything that is important in your life. For instance, pictures of family, friends, pets anything that will give you the drive to continue you’re healthy lifestyle. Every time you look at the binder you understand why it is you do what you do. In the binder include your strength training logs, cardio logs, and food journal. It may also be helpful to keep your goals
Keep evolving when things become comfortable. Beginning an exercise program and lifestyle modification is one thing, but mixing it up from time to time keeps the motivation intact. Sure it’s great to find what you like, but continue to explore other avenues of fitness it will allow for new and exciting gains.
Source: Bracko, Michael. The Art of Finding Motivation for Lifelong Fitness. April 9, 2010. May 9, 2010.
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