According to a survey, many women blame their jobs for failed exercise plans – and we can understand why. The constant supply of sweet treats which are often too tempting to resist … the pressure to stay at your desk and work late … it all adds up and makes it easy to abandon plans to hit the gym.
One third of women feel this way and there are probably a number of men in the same boat too. We've all been on the receiving end of a rough day at the office. The end result is often a feeling of demotivation, but pushing through could be the best option for us.
Exercise is important for our overall physical health but it can also impact how we feel – just like how having a neatly trimmed beard can boost men's confidence or having beautifully styled hair can be a boost for women. Staying active and getting regular exercise is also a recommended lifestyle choice for those looking to address certain health complaints, such as elevated cholesterol levels.
Here, exercise (along with a balanced diet) can help you maintain a healthy body weight. This is important for anyone hoping to lower their cholesterol levels to as healthy level but can also have some impact for those with conditions such as diabetes.
The important thing is to understand your health and fitness requirements and plan your exercise accordingly. Research 'what is cholesterol' or 'what is diabetes' and get a good grasp of the condition first. If you have any questions, speak to a healthcare professional (like your GP). You can also ask them for advice on suitable exercises you can try but staying motivated will be down to you.
Think About Food: when researching 'what is cholesterol' you may have discovered some interesting facts about 'good' and 'bad' fats. Replacing 'bad' saturated fats with 'good' unsaturated fats in your diet can help to lower cholesterol levels. Use this to motivate you. Paying more attention to food labels can remind you about saturated fats (which should only make up a small part of your diet). If you have a sweet treat then aim to burn those calories with a workout.
Workout Regularly: if visiting the gym or following an exercise regime is new to you then the most important thing is to make sure your exercise schedule follows a regular pattern. This will help you develop a routine that is (hopefully) easy to follow so you stand a better chance of sticking with it. It can also allow you to enjoy gentler exercise over a longer period of time.
Remember, It Takes Time: it takes time to build new habits so don't expect to find it easy to stick to your exercise agenda straight away. Set yourself realistic goals at the start and don't try and change your lifestyle too drastically – you're only setting yourself up for failure. Once you've established a routine over a few weeks you can think about intensifying your efforts.
So, there you have it. Whether you've decided to start exercising as a way to lead a healthier lifestyle and contribute towards your management of conditions such as elevated cholesterol or diabetes or simply to improve your fitness, it's important to stay focused and motivated. Be honest with yourself about what you can achieve and learn about any underlying health interests by asking questions such as 'what is cholesterol' before you get started. That way, you'll know what you're doing is right.