In this final segment of my conference call with Bob Harper, trainer from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” we are going to talk about the final component to a healthy lifestyle—-exercise.
One of the callers asked Bob how a person can get excited about working out. He pointed out that blogs, such as this one, help motivate people. Bob said that exercise can definitely get monotonous and mundane so we have to find something that will be motivating for us. Some of his suggestions included: Accountability partners (friends), watching “The Biggest Loser,” listening to our Ipods, and reading health books and magazines. Find what works best for you.
He also said that we have to remember that once we have worked out, we feel good. That feeling in itself can be a huge motivator. Focus on how well you feel when you have done it and it will give you the drive to keep going.
A good question that was asked was how many days a week should someone exercise. Bob said that four to six times a week is ideal. It would be great to work out every single day, but Bob said that most people have busy schedules, so if they miss a day they get discouraged and end up not working out at all.
Bob reiterated that the goal to weight loss is to be realistic and to start small. If you can only start off by walking 20 to 30 minutes a few days a week, that’s okay. The point is to create a schedule that is manageable and one that can be adjusted, so in the future you can add extra workout time if you desire.
Bob also stated that when you make exercise time a priority it becomes “me time” and pretty soon you won’t want to miss it.
Another issue discussed was overcoming obstacles. Bob said that it may sound selfish but we really do need to put ourselves at the top of our to-do list. The better we take care of ourselves the more we will be able to give to others. We have to make sure that we establish boundaries because people will always try to take more from us than we are willing to give.
Finally, Bob mentioned that most of us are on tight budgets these days. He understands that we may not be able to afford a gym membership, and that’s okay. It costs nothing to take a walk outside.
Hopefully this three-part segment with Bob Harper has given you the motivation and drive to start off 2010 with a commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Related Articles:
Talking to Bob Harper: Trainer from “The Biggest Loser” Part 1
Talking to Bob Harper: Trainer from “The Biggest Loser” Part 2