Going from a sedentary (couch potato) lifestyle to a physically active one has been a meaningful change that required continued commitment and consistency. The transition has been challenging, but I regularly remind myself that it is a journey that takes time and effort.
The first phase of my lifestyle transition was the decision to become physically active. This decision was influenced by different personal factors, such as my health concerns (diabetes, hypertension, and prostate cancer), the desire to improve my physical appearance (vanity), and my simply wanting to feel better (more energy). The decision to start exercising was difficult but important. I started by setting achievable goals and developing a plan that would fit my lifestyle.
The second phase was my preparation phase, which involved identifying the best exercise routine for my fitness level, schedule, and health interests. I started slow and gradually increased the intensity and duration of my exercise routines consisting of cardio, strength training, calisthenics, and flexibility exercises.
The third phase was my implementation phase, which involved putting my plan into action. I scheduled exercise time (5 am to 6 am Monday to Saturday), sleep time means being in bed by 10 pm and up by 4:30 am and eating about 2200 calories per day, and I made it all an unwavering priority. Additionally, I made it a point to track my progress using my Fitbit, a blood pressure monitor, and a health program offered through my job’s health plan called Rally. What I have found is, as in most things in life, consistency is key in this phase. I found it important for me to track my progress in order to stay motivated and to know where to make adjustments to my routine as needed.
The fourth phase is my maintenance phase, which involves sticking to my exercise routine and making it a part of my life habits. This phase has been the most challenging, but it has been an important phase for me to stay motivated and begin to see and keep results.
During my journey, it has been important for me to pay attention to my nutrition and hydration. Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated helps me support my physical activity, and I have experienced improvements in my overall health and well-being.
Moving from a couch potato to being physically active involved several phases for me. When I look retrospectively, it included making the decision to become active, preparing my exercise routine, implementing my plan, and maintaining my new lifestyle. It requires commitment, consistency, and a willingness to challenge yourself to drive personal health and lifestyle improvements. My journey reminds me that with dedication and effort, it is possible to achieve not only goals to improve my health and well-being but worthwhile goals overall.
Enjoy the journey!