THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF EXERCISE
One way to stay motivated for exercise is to break it down into parts. Taking it in parts or sections can make it more manageable and easier to tackle. In addition, learning about each part will give you a deeper understanding of its importance and why you should not skimp or skip on any section.
Step One Many people do not understand that the first step is to prepare. Many people do not do this and it probably accounts for a large number of people quitting a program. Preparing for your workout is crucial. Not only does it ensure that you have time. But it prepares you mentally. The first thing you should do in step one is to actually schedule your start time. Exercise should be placed into your planner or schedule just like eating, running errands, going to work and other important things. Next you should have a plan. What type of program will you be doing during your scheduled time? Will you walk, swim, do pilates or yoga? Once you have your time scheduled and know what type of program you will be doing you should gather up any gear you will need. Everything should be handy and ready when your workout time comes.
Step Two Step Two arrives when your scheduled time is facing you. This is when you have to actually go through the motions of getting started. This is the time when you will have to make the decision of whether you are really going to workout or not. During this step many people talk themselves out of exercising. They have a million and one excuses not to do it. If you have carried out step one you will have time to workout. You will know what type of exercise to do and you will have your gear ready and waiting. Completing step one takes away some of the excuses that can now arise. Step two is when you have to turn off that little voice inside of your head that is telling you to skip exercising. You have to make up your mind and be determined that you will exercise, no matter what. One way you can quiet those thoughts is to simply go through the motions of preparing to workout. Put on your workout clothes, fill up your water bottle and tell yourself that you will start your workout and that you can quit a few minutes early if you like. The key is to take action to quiet those mental arguments. Getting started is the hard part for some people. I find once I start I don't want to quit early or workout less. It's a mind game we play with ourselves. But once you are going you will feel very proud of yourself.
Step Three If you have made it to step three of the workout you should congratulate yourself on overcoming those mental arguments that tried to get you to avoid a workout. Step three is the warm up phase. This is where you will warm your muscles, increase your body temperature and blood flow. So your body can transition into exercise with as little risk of injury as possible. Your warm up can include walking, stretching or specific exercises that you like. The warm up should be performed for at least ten minutes.
Step Four Step four is the actual workout that you planned to do in step one. You may have scheduled walking, cardio, strength training, swimming, tennis or using an exercise machine. Whatever you have chosen to do, do it for at least 25-30 minutes.
Step Five
Step five is the cool down stage. This is when you can congratulate yourself on completing your workout routine as you go through the motions of cooling down your body. It is important that you do not skip this portion. Take about five minutes to stretch as your heart rate and respiration start to slow down.
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