Reason number one ________________________. Insert your name in that blank. You have worth and by your words and your actions you either increase that worth to yourself or you decrease it. You can build a reserve in your brain so that if it gets sick, you have enough cells connected in so many ways there is some to spare. You build reserves of power, will power, strength and flexibility, and determination by improving and maintaining your fitness.

Reason number two: You are protected from every major disease that causes early death. Your risk of cancer, heart disease, Stroke, Hypertension, Lung disease, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, are all decreased.

You are better off if you are fit, no matter what your weight. This begs a definition of fitness. It ain’t being able to wear a Speedo guys or a bikini gals. Lots of thin people are over fat! They have very little muscle and the ratio of fat to muscle is too high. They are not fit. To assess your fitness measure these things your pulse for one minute before and after a one mile brisk walk. Record your walk time and the two pulse values. Do as many as you can without stopping. If you are less fit, do them from your knees. If you are more fit, do them on toes and hands. If you do not know what to do, go to YouTube.com and search for videos of people doing push ups. Then have a friend help you do the Sit-and-Reach. This is better viewed than explained but here is a written explanation from the Mayo Clinic:

• Place a yardstick on the floor. Secure it by placing a piece of tape across the yardstick at the 15-inch (38-centimeter) mark.
• Place the soles of your feet even with the mark on the yardstick.
• Ask a helper to place his or her hands on top of your knees to anchor them.
• Reach forward as far as you can, holding the position for two seconds.
• Note the distance you reached.
• Repeat the test two more times.
• Record the best of the three reaches.

The last two assessments are to measure your waist at the umbilicus, needs to be less than 40″ guys and 36″ gals. Then look at a chart and assess your BMI. It isn’t super accurate, but it is a ball park number. I have a calculator in the pages here on my blog.

Reason number three: You set a good example. The old if I can, then you can. Once you have been in action for 6 months you are in a position to encourage and help others to do the same.

Reason number four: If not now when? What is more important? Many people and I think more women than men, put off their self care because they feel they need to do for others or need to use the time more wisely. WRONG! You need to care for yourself first. Remember what they tell you on a plane - if the oxygen comes down - put it on yourself first then on someone else, even your kids. The same applies here, you have to do for you first, then for others. The basics, sleep, eat, bath, exercise and relax are all necessary.

Reason number five: You will be more productive. You will sleep better, feel stronger, have better stamina, miss less work and be able to do more. More isn’t always best, quality counts too, but both will improve as your muscular and brain stamina increase. It is a proven fact, get the book Spark by Dr. John Ratey and read the studies for yourself.

There you have it. 5 reasons to exercise now, not later. Quit putting it off, get started. Just start slow and build up to it.

Watch this blog for the opportunity to sign up for 4 weeks of positive wellness encouragement. I will have a sign up form available soon. would you like to get an email each day with a link to a 3-5 minute podcast with some ideas and encouragement about your total wellness. Be watching, it is coming soon. Let me know what you would like to hear? What questions do you have or how can I help you solve a problem with your wellness. Let me know, if you have it one of my other followers has it also, so please ask, leave me a comment on it.

A pdf from the Mayo Clinic is at the end here to help you track your fitness progress.

fsm14_persfitassmt

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