Group Fitness

Is it really difficult to make your health a priority before it becomes a priority?

Many of us seem to have difficulty finding time to commit to ourselves. We take our health for granted until we become ill. Why is this? Commitment is the main reason why so many of us have difficulty maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Although there is a common misconception that lack of time is the reason that we fail to stick to a healthy fitness regimen, but not so. Even people with the best of intentions find themselves overwhelmed when tugged in too many directions at once. It’s easy to break a promise to ourselves; somehow when others need us self-care is the thing that gets put on hold. Every once and a while this is okay, but think about your future and all that you hope to do, in all the realms of your life. Isn't your health essential for the achievement of those goals? Unless we take care of our health, we cannot take care of business, family and other interests. People who swear they don't have time for self-care can somehow manage to make time when their health becomes a threat.
 Remember, as with all things, we get out of it what we put into it. A true commitment is a heartfelt promise to yourself from which you will not back down. It means arranging your schedule to ensure you make time for whatever you have promised yourself. It may take more effort on your part, but that's okay because you are committed to improvement and achieving positive results. We're not just referring to the productivity of your work life, but all parts of your life. When you are healthy and feeling good, you make better decisions and find more creative solutions to problems. You're more fun to be with, and you have more to give to those you care about.
Don't let the inevitable interruptions delay your speedy return. While fitness is a priority, interruptions in your exercise routine do occur. Injury, travel and obligations may force you to give up some exercise time. Fortunately, in the context of a life time, a week or two off is no big deal, and you can congratulate yourself for your flexibility. But don't let a week or two off mean you take a year or two to get back to your program and reaffirm the priority of regular exercise.
Harrell Jackson is a fitness expert, group fitness instructor and certified personal trainer. He conducts classes in the greater Galveston, Clear Lake and Houston areas.

Questions and comments can be directed to
P.O. Box 2217, Galveston, Texas 77553-2217
(409) 599-0304.