Column: More Than Broccoli and Jogging, by Susie Hulst

I wanted to offer some profound advice that would help anyone struggling with a fitness relapse to get back on track.

In search of this profound advice I asked myself the question, “What exactly is the best way to get back on track?”

Hmm.

I then Googled tips for sticking to New Year’s resolutions. I reviewed curriculum from my college days on behavior change. I asked my Facebook friends what worked for them. I also thought about what has worked for me in the past. Through all this searching, I became somewhat overwhelmed.

There are so many helpful tips and pieces of advice. Tips like: keep a journal, workout with a friend, get a personal trainer, sign up for a 5-kilometer run, make sure your goals are specific, measurable and realistic, and so on and so on.

This is all great advice and I’ve heard it all before, but I had one question. Even knowing all this, how come I relapse and can never seem to reach my goal? I was searching for this profound advice that was going to get me out of my rut and that I could also share with you. (Yes, admittedly I am currently in a state of relapse.)

After several days of mulling over the subject, I came up with this. I
believe there is no special piece of advice. There is no special technique or secret trick. There is no special workout or diet plan that will prevent you from falling off track.

The best I can tell you is that no matter the advice you follow, it still boils down to a choice. In every instance you have the personal choice to take control of your health.

Now please be aware that some people have a harder time making healthy choices than others. Some people have more barriers or more extreme barriers to overcome. Environment, emotional state, personality traits, education and the way you were raised are common examples that can alter your everyday choices.

There are definitely ways to overcome or alter these barriers (see the examples above); however, it still comes down to personal responsibility. Just because you face a million barriers, does not mean you can give up on yourself. It just means you have to work harder.

So the next time you’re in a relapse, look up tips, seek advice, and through trial and error, find what works for you. Just don’t give up on yourself and keep seeking the answers. Health is a journey, not a destination.

 

Susie Hulst is the fitness director at the Albert Lea Family Y and is an American College of Sports Medicine-certified health fitness specialist. Her column appears monthly.