Dealing With Setbacks

 

The idea of an exercise program at age 50 and beyond is geared toward getting you to be active for the rest of your life.  This means being a drop-out or succumbing to setbacks is not an option.  You already know, from experience, that everyone who has ever started an exercise program has had difficulty staying with it at one time or other.

 

If you find that you have not been physically active for at least 7 days you are experiencing a lapse.  Think about why this has occurred and think about what you are going to do about it.  Try to keep your lapses short and get back on track as quickly as possible.  It doesn’t take very long for a lapse to turn into an excuse or a habit, and there you are again.  Don’t be too hard on yourself though, because having a lapse in physical activity is quite normal.  I don’t think we need to make a list of reasons of why we have lapses, because we all know that any old excuse will do.

 

“Fitness After 50,” by Walter Ettinger MD lists you some acceptable reasons for minor lapses:

•  If you get hurt
•  If you get sick
•  Family responsibilities interfere with activity
•  Pressing social engagements
•  Work
•  Travel and/or vacations

 

Well that certainly gives you plenty of opportunity to slough off doesn’t it?  Well, being ill is the only one that gives you more than a day or two grace period, according to Dr. Ettinger.  If you get hurt you can resume activity as soon as the pain improves and then modify your activity to protect the injured part.  You can take time off to care for a family member, but you need to factor in taking care of yourself too. The world isn’t going to end if you sneak in a few minutes of activity here and there, so get a babysitter and take a few laps around the block.   If you need to be involved with social activities you can ask your friends to do something physical with you.  If you are busy at work it is more important than ever to build in some time for yourself.   If all else fails you can get up a little earlier; your body will thank you.  If you need to travel; find a hotel with a fitness center.  If that isn’t possible take a pair of walking shoes, or pack an exercise video complete with resistance bands and work-out anyway.  If you are on vacation you can make it an active vacation or take exercise videos with you or climb stairs or sightsee.

 

So, no excuses, but if you have fallen off the wagon it is important to get back on

track quickly.   The faster you get back to your routine the more likely you are to succeed this time.   Renew your focus, find a support group, identify what leads to lapses, find new and interesting ways to achieve your goals and reward yourself for getting back into the picture. There are more ways to make exercise a part of your life that going to the gym.  Remember to have fun, play a sport, master a new activity or revisit an old one.  Dance, join a fitness class, or pursue active hobbies.  Put exercise on your daily calendar, dangle a carrot, make it a habit and take those lapses in stride.  A lapse does not make you a bad person.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Shapely Secrets]

Another thing you can add to that list is just plain boredom. People tend to do the same things over and over again. They need a fresh routine every now and then. Maybe throwing some different workout videos into the mix can help.