HOW TO TURN INTENTIONS INTO ACTIONS
Check out this fantastic article from CNN.com about strategies that can actually succeed in helping to keep up the will to exercise:
“Resolving to exercise is a good start, but research has shown that there is a 46% gap between the intention to exercise and actually exercising, and nearly 80% of adults in the United States do not get the minimum weekly 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise recommended by the World Health Organization.”
“Starting and maintaining an exercise program require a behavioral change, and having a positive intention (or resolution) is a critical first step. But for most people, intention alone is not enough to change behavior. Initial and ongoing behavior development and regulation skills are also essential to help turn intentions into actions.”
The team at Comprehensive Gastrointestinal Health includes:
- Behavior coach
- Registered dietitian nutritionist
- Physical therapist/fitness consultant
- Nurse practitioner with expertise in weight management
The squad can help you achieve the missions outlined in the article:
1) FIGURE OUT YOUR “WHY”
“Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthier weight, improve energy levels, improve blood sugar control if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic (again, even if you don’t lose weight), improve brain function (even in children) and improve sleep.
Focusing on the non-weight-related and personally meaningful benefits of exercise can help you maintain a longer-term positive attitude toward exercise, along with a more realistic expectation of outcomes.”
2) MODIFY YOUR MINDSET
“Many people who do not exercise regularly don’t think of themselves as “exercisers,” and they lack confidence in their ability to exercise. Both of these factors can significantly reduce the chance of long-term exercise success.
Resetting your mindset isn’t easy, but it can be done. Setting smaller, more moderate short-term goals can help you build your exercise confidence. It is important that goals be SMART (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and timely) but also flexible. If your short-term exercise goals are too vague, too challenging or too far in the future, you are much less likely to succeed at building exercise confidence.”
3) BUILD A BETTER HABIT
“Many people blame a lack of willpower or poor self-control for their failure to exercise regularly. This may be a factor, but research suggests that building strong habits can significantly improve self-control by making behavior more automatic and effortless rather than relying on willpower and decision-making, both of which can be exhausted or depleted.”
MOST OF THESE SERVICES ARE COVERED BY YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE! Call us and we will help determine your coverage and facilitate all appointments. Call 224.407.4400 when you are ready to turn your excellent intentions into ACTIONS.