Making a commitment is an important first step when starting on a physical fitness regimen.  It’s often difficult to go from a sedentary lifestyle to making physical fitness a part of your every day life, the kind of thing you do as a matter of course, like brushing your teeth.   Encouragingly, many report becoming addicted to exercise after a few months of committed working out.  Exercise produces endorphins, which give you a “natural high.” Avid sportspersons are familiar with this effect, sometimes called the “runner’s high.”   Making physical fitness an integral part of your daily life is greatly helped by finding an enjoyable sport and using that as a pathway to building physical fitness.

People do not often associate sports such as fencing with a “workout”, but it most certainly is.   Think about what the sport entails, though; once you have your fencing gear in place, you begin using a wide variety of muscles and cardiovascular strength to compete. Fencing also requires mental acuity and focus, which helps in making effective moves against an opponent.  This combination of using the mind and the body together engages the individual, making the workout something of a side thought, and the thrill of competition the focus.   This is but one example of using a sport as a conduit to good physical fitness.

For those with a more traditional workout sport in mind, there is always jogging and marathon running to consider. Books and Internet websites detail training programs designed to take a sedentary individual through a manageable course toward running a race, such as a 5K. No one starts out training for a 26 mile marathon, but plenty of people have humbler beginnings training for the local 5K cancer charity run. Training for charity events like this add an extra element of motivation. Extra motivation is always welcome when trying to establish a new fitness routine.

Always maintain realistic goals and be patient with yourself when establishing a new fitness routine for yourself. For those who are overweight, check with a doctor to be sure that you’re taking adequate precautions to guard your health.   Realize also that establishing a fitness routine need not be rushed. Years lie ahead in your quest to build your physical fitness, so always be sure to pace yourself.