Easy Steps to Fitness and Health - A Post/Repost by Kimberley Payne
- Kimberley Payne
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
I am fortunate to have had many wonderful experiences in my career and one of those was was a collaboration with Global Television for the Global Lifestyle Challenge back in 2009. This was one of the blog posts I wrote that still resonates with me today. I still firmly believe that "The Game of Life is too short to be sitting on the bench." I hope you enjoy this post and I would love to hear your thoughts!
Yours In Health,
Kimberley
Previously Published:
So you have located your desire to become healthy and fit and you’ve started to take a good look around you. You have probably found a few fit, healthy people and the next step of your journey is to model their behaviors. Now I don’t expect you to start running the Grouse Grind overnight, however I do expect you to ask them a few questions, and find out what their schedules are like, and how they manage their time to include healthy activity.
At this point you might be feeling like a fish out of water. Maybe you’re thinking that sitting on the couch is a far better way to spend your nights. But I can guarantee you that eventually your habits and lack of preventative healthcare will catch up to you, and that high cholesterol you’ve been shrugging off as No Big Deal, is going to turn into a prescription for drugs and regular visits to the cardiologist. Try to keep that in mind when the television calls your name, and the remote looks like the doorway to a life of your dreams. Remember, you can sit down and watch fictional people living lives of adventure, romance, success and achievement, or you can start living your own dream life by getting out there and filling your time with activities, goals, family and friends. The Game of Life is too short to be sitting on the bench.
You are now ready to make some changes. You can start by choosing healthier food options. Your daily menu should be rich in fruits and vegetables, so start by cutting out that scone for breakfast, and replace it with a fruit salad and a small omelette. This will give you some much needed vitamins and protein to get your day started on the right foot. From there, I would recommend you take a quick 15-20 minute walk before you hop into your car and commute to work. A 15 minute morning walk can make a huge impact on your day. Just 15 minutes can help wake you up, clear your mind, reduce your stress and tension, improve your metabolism and burn some calories. But most importantly it gives you momentum as you move into your work day, and that momentum gives you energy and sparks a flame that will guide you towards continued healthier choices.
At work, it’s easy to get trapped in your office, locked down by deadlines and projects. Telling yourself that fit, healthy people don’t have to deal with these exact same issues is one of the greatest lies that you will ever tell yourself. Let’s face it – Fit, Healthy People Have Careers Too! They also have children, families, and social responsibilities! So what are they doing that you’re not doing?
They:
– WORK OUT or GO TO THE GYM before or after they go to work.
– TAKE THE STAIRS and NOT THE ELEVATOR.
– GET UP AND WALK AROUND THE OFFICE.
– PERIODICALLY STRETCH, even at the office!
– USE THEIR LUNCH BREAK TO WORKOUT.
– WALK OR RIDE A BIKE TO WORK.
– PACK A LUNCH with HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES.
– TAKE REGULAR CLASSES such as Yoga, Pilates and Group Fitness.
– PLAY OUTSIDE WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
– WALK IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
– WALK THEIR DOGS.
– Are ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SOCIAL SPORTS such as Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball etc.
– Take part in OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES such as hiking, biking, skiing and golfing.
– Take part in ACTIVE CHARITABLE EVENTS such as The Sun Run or The Weekend to End Breast Cancer
– Take part in ACTIVE HOBBIES such as gardening, dancing, horseback riding, motorcycling, sailing, camping, and bird watching
– SURROUND THEMSELVES WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE WHO LIVE ACTIVE LIVES
These are just some of the many things that Fit, Healthy People do on a day-to-day basis. If they can do it, then so can you! Get moving today, make the commitment, to yourself and those you love, to START LIVING AND STOP SITTING! Tell everyone you can about your plans, and they will help keep you accountable. Find a buddy, find a friend, find a mentor or find a trainer. Find someone who will support you as you take the steps to change your life. Start participating and soon others will be looking to you as a model of health and fitness!
by Kimberley Payne
Director of Education
Endorphin Junkies
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