So This Is What They Mean By 'Just Do It'

Want to take your workouts to new heights? A new study says we should forget the "why" and focus on "how." In a small study of college students, researchers found that when it comes to motivating ourselves to exercise, it's better to simply create a plan of action for how we're going to work out than to sit down and list the reasons why we should be working out.

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, found that students who spent time thinking of actions they could take to boost their exercise habits were more likely to work out than students who spent time considering why they should be exercising.

I can see why that might be the case. After all, we can all come up with a bunch of reasons why exercise is good for us (improved mood, better health, weight control, etc.). But when it comes to actually getting off the couch, that's where many people fall apart. I can think about how going to the gym would be good for me, but if I don't figure out how to fit it into my day and what to do when I get there, chances are it's never going to happen. Good intentions only take you so far.

Case in point: My wonderful husband wanted to start walking every day, but he's got a demanding job and by the time he gets home, he's usually exhausted. So we've come up with a plan; either he walks to pick up his lunch during the day (accomplishing two goals!) or we take a quick walk before dinner as soon as he gets home and before he settles in for the night. It's amazing how just having that simple plan in place has "suddenly" helped him find the time and energy to work out.

It's a good reminder that when it comes to exercise, sometimes you need to just do it.

Comments

[MizFit]

and just have a supportive spouse like you!

thats so much of the battle & youre an encouraging wife (part yerself on the back :))

Miz.

[Sagan]

That's a good point. It's all too easy to focus on the reasons why and not think about how we should be incorporating fitness into our lifestyles.

[Mark Salinas]

Excellent points....Just Do IT!

[Mark Salinas]

Excellent points....Just Do IT!