“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
— Mark Twain
A few weeks ago, I interviewed Andre Gear, an instructor at Dawson College in Montreal, Quebec. Andre has a B.Sc. in Exercise Science.
I’ve known Andre for a few years now, and every time we meet, I always leave feeling more knowledgeable and inspired to exercise and pay more attention to the components that make up physical health: sleep, diet, and physical activity.
You can watch our interview by clicking here.
Three Messages About Physical Health
Here are a few things that stood out for me from our interview.
I mentioned the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for adults in our interview. These guidelines suggest that the average adult should aim to engage in approximately 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
When you look at that number, it can feel overwhelming. And when a person feels overwhelmed with a goal, they’re unlikely to start it.
But Andre emphasized that instead of feeling overwhelmed by the thought of committing to 150 minutes of exercise right away, begin by incorporating short bouts of activity into your day.
2. Building Habits:
Forming a habit requires consistency and persistence.
Rather than aiming for perfection from the start, focus on establishing a routine that you can realistically maintain.
Consistency is key to reaping the benefits of physical activity and feeling better in your body.
Understanding that it is okay to start small and progress gradually can help alleviate the pressure often associated with meeting physical activity guidelines.
By focusing on consistency and finding activities that you enjoy, incorporating exercise into your daily routine can become a manageable and rewarding endeavor.
Importance of Consistency
Consistency is key to seeing long-term benefits in any aspect of life.
Whether it’s maintaining a healthy lifestyle, building a skill, or achieving a goal, staying consistent in your efforts sets the foundation for success.
Regular physical activity not only benefits your physical health but also plays a significant role in improving mental well-being.
Engaging in exercise releases endorphins, also known as the “feel-good” hormones, which can help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
Starting small and gradually escalating your activity levels is a practical approach to building a sustainable routine. Setting clear and realistic objectives can make the process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Something Is Always Better Than Nothing
It’s easy to get discouraged when we think of all the work we have to do, whether it’s losing weight, improving mood, or managing anxiety.
But a rule we need to apply to every part of our lives is that something is always better than nothing. When you do some “thing” for a long time, you can achieve massive results.
Richard
Video Interview with Andre Gear: Insights on Exercise, Sleep, and Diet for a Balanced Life!