WHAT EXACTLY IS AN EXERCISER? THE BIG "C" WORD

Thomas J. Kersting, LPC, Ph.D

I exercise! I run! I lift! Just what is "an exerciser", " a weight lifter" or "a runner"? Is "an exerciser" someone who makes it to the gym 3 times a month? Is "a weight lifter" someone who lifts 5 days straight, takes 10 days off and then lifts 5 days straight again? Is "a runner" someone who used to run a lot but hasn't run in years? Guess what the BIG "C" WORD is I'm looking for here? Ah, you're getting close. We can call ourselves exercisers, weight lifter's, runners or bikers. We can call ourselves the Pope for that matter, but only we, ourselves, know the truth. I've crossed paths with many people in my day and have heard numerous times "no matter how much I exercise, I still can't lose weight." Now I think I have the answer to their frustration. It's that BIG "C" WORD you've been trying to figure out��.CONSISTENCY. A few days of exercise here and there isn't going to get you to your weight-loss goal. In fact a few weeks isn't. It has got to be a life-long, consistent habit; that is if you want to maintain your weight-loss. With time, exercising becomes a routine part of your day. Something you "just do." And possibly something you'll become passion about with time. You see, it is very easy to convince yourself that you're on track, doing exactly what you should be doing to lose weight. And you might be right. But truth be told, there is no quick fix to anything in life. We can take-on an exercise regimen for four weeks and not see much weight-loss at all. This is when the problem starts. Americans want fast results, and when we don't get them we become frustrated and then we give-up. We throw our hands-up in the air and say "this is useless." Patience my friends��.. Patience. This is key. So just what can you do to get on track. Try these tips. 1. Be honest with yourself 2. Make a commitment to yourself that you will exercise at least 3 days a week for six months. I'll guarantee you'll see results. I also guarantee that after 6 months exercising will be as routine as brushing your teeth. 3. Stay off the scale for 2 months 4. Don't make excuses 5. Believe in yourself Thomas J. Kersting, LPC, Ph.D is the author of FAT PROOF: Power Programming Your Bodies Weight-Loss Computer (Harbor Press, coming in Winter 2006). Dr. Tom has helped countless people to lose weight with his power programming method. Please visit his website to receive a free copy of his Power Programming Weight-Loss CD. http://www.fatproof.net/