Physical Activity: Overcoming Barriers
Overview: Let’s be honest, we can all think of countless reasons why we don’t need or want to exercise or be more active in our daily lives. Of course the most common excuse is not having enough time to fit physical activity into our schedules. Lack of motivation or self-discipline is another common excuse among inactive people. So how can one prevail over these hurdles in an effort to become more active? Below are some strategies that can help you when you seem to keep finding more and more excuses…
Make it a priority. Writing down when you will workout each week can be helpful. Hold yourself to it as if it were a meeting or class and don’t allow other things to get in the way. This will help you to begin to value your health as much as you do your education and other aspects of your life. Start small. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking your dog, or parking farther away at stores are examples of how you can add more activity to your daily routine. Also, set realistic goals for yourself in writing and have a time frame for when you want to achieve them. This may be starting out with one day of activity per week or scheduling a fitness test at TSHC.
Make it enjoyable! If you hate treadmills then don’t force yourself to use one! Pick activities that you enjoy such as basketball, going for a walk or jog, going dancing, joining a martial arts group, or taking a fitness class here at ISU. The list of possible activities goes on and on. Find an exercise buddy. Finding a friend who also wants to become more active can combat motivational struggles. Whether you go on walks together or go to spinning classes, knowing that someone is counting on you to show up will help you to stay on track. Not seeing results? Many people who are active in order to lose weight or “get in shape” often become frustrated when they don’t see quick results. Therefore, it is important to focus on the other great outcomes of exercise such as improving your health. Additional motivation can come from using exercise as a stress reliever, a way to improve your mood, or as a social time to be active with friends. There are countless benefits of exercise, so just find what motivates you and as a result you’ll begin to be active more consistently and the rest will follow!
What Thielen Student Health Center Can Do For You: You can schedule a fitness consultation with the fitness specialist at TSHC to discuss the barriers that you may be facing in your efforts to become more active. Verbalizing your struggles to someone else can help you to see them from a different perspective. In addition, you can discuss solutions that have worked or have not worked for you in the past and collectively come up with new ideas to try. You can also discuss the appropriateness of your current goals with the fitness specialist and this can help you to get back on track or to begin being active. Appointments can be made by calling the main appointment line at 515-294-5801 or the Wellness Center at 515-294-1868.
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Last update: 27 Feb 2008
For more information, please contact:
Iowa State University
Thielen Student Health Center
515-294-5801
