Stay the Course: Be Fit for Life!

NEA Today, Apr 2004 by Crute, Sheree

Congratulations to each and every NEA Fitness Challenge team member. If you've made it this far, you've faced down your favorite food cravings, triumphed over your inner couch potato, and are in better shape than you've been in years. If you've really been having fun, you may not even realize the Challenge began seven months ago, and there are now only four weeks (that's 30 exercise days) left before we announce the champs!

Before you start thinking about what your school's going to do with the prize money you may win, however, remember one thing. Every NEA Fitness Challenge participant has already won the most valuable prize possible-better health and a longer life. And that's a prize we're determined to help you keep. So, we're going to show you how to achieve your short-term goal-completing the Challenge at a level of fitness and weight loss that's your personal best. Then, we're going to give you a bonus-an expert prescription for being fit and fabulous at 40, 50, 60, and beyond.

First, there's the business of getting to that finish line. You're almost there. You and your team have sweat together, watched your waistlines together; you've probably even wept together over that midnight chocolate cheat! You've made a lot of progress, and now you just need to make that final sprint to the finish line. If you're finding it easy to stay motivated, that's great. If, however, you're hearing the siren call of your former sedentary existence, that's perfectly normal, too.

To keep those frustrating yearnings under control, "consistently reconnect with your higher purpose, your real reasons for joining the Challenge," says Marc-Simon Sagal, managing partner of the San Diego-based company, the Winning Mind (www.thewinningmind .com). Sagal, who uses psychology to help everyone from members of the New York Rangers to the U.S. Army learn to perform at their best under pressure, explains that "holding onto those clearly defined objectives" can be an added boost.

GETTING TO THE FINISH LINE

Here's how you can beat the blahs and beat the competition:

COMMIT ON PAPER. "Write a letter to yourself," Sagal says, "and tell yourself how proud you are of what you've accomplished so far." Celebrate every pound lost and every mile walked. You deserve it!

JAZZ IT UP. Beat boredom any way you can, says Sagal. Buy some funky new workout shoes. Try out the new salsa, Tae Bo, or Pilates class at the gym.

DON'T GET OVERWHELMED. If you Can't handle the thought of walking 10 more miles, focus on short-term goals, Sagal advises. Pat yourself on the back for every two miles. Become engaged in the process and be happy with your accomplishments on any given day.

FIND POWER IN PAIN. "There's always pain and sacrifice associated with athletics," Sagal says. But rather than let the time pressures of getting to your workout, or your need to use a knee brace when you race walk, weigh you down, let that extra effort be your reward. "The amount you have to struggle is a measure of just how gigantic your achievements really are," he says.

MAKE ALLOWANCES. "If you can't make the full daily walk, try a series of short cardiovascular workouts," suggests Challenge fitness advisor, C.B. Yelverton. Remember, any workout you do for at least 30 minutes will suffice, even if you need to divide it into three 10-minute intervals.

TAKE APPROPRIATE MEASURES. If you don't seem to be losing weight fast enough, remember muscle weighs more that fat, says Yelverton. Measure your waist, hips, and thighs for a more accurate assessment of your fat loss. If your clothes are fitting better, then you're closer to your goal.

TALK TO YOUR TEAM. "If you, or other team members, are having trouble staying with your workout, set up a team meeting and talk it out," advises Yelverton. "Figure out fresh ways to inspire each other. Even highly trained athletes lose momentum the longer they follow a specific program."

START TALKING TO YOURSELF. "Positive self-talk or any affirmation that gets you going can help move you toward your goal," says Karlene Sugarman, a sports psychologist and author of Winning the Mental Way (Step Up Publishing, 1999).

HAVE FAITH. "Your mind definitely leads your body," Sugarman says. You absolutely have to believe you can drop another pound or make it another day around the track, or you just won't do it. See yourself as a winner!