Ride the Immediate Rewards

Ottawa Personal TrainerShort term pain, for long term gain, but what are the short term rewards for people that want immediate results?  Don’t get discouraged, after a workout because naturally what you want is based on what you don’t have…therefore the cycle of bad feelings continues.  What you need is to think of your potential and long term. Start with being happy, that you have your current health and fitness levels, because it could always be worse. From there, it’s your starting point and it will just keep getting better. Don’t draw from what you don’t have. It’s not hard to do, if you use the tool of positive self-talk.

When we look at anything short term or immediate, we must always look at potential behind our results and be rewarded later.  On the other hand, short term actions that don’t produce enough immediate or short term rewards, can discourage you, if you don’t think about your potential and long term success.

To get the most out a fitness lifestyle change, you must set goals that are short term and long term with short term and long term rewards. If you don’t set a goal, how do you know your reaching it ?  Set Goals !!  As an example, lose 2 lbs in 10 days or get 5 minutes more on the treadmill at 7 km/h and of course, say NO to ice cream for a month.  Setting fitness and nutrition goals should go hand in hand, especially if you looking to see improvement on your body composition. It won’t work if your missing one.

What are some of the rewards to expect when thinking about immediate or short term rewards ?  Sometimes the rewards are hidden, especially immediate rewards. the reason is that your fitness lifestyle changes work from the inside out.

  1. The pump (my favorite)
  2. Your lungs get stronger
  3. You tap into your fat fuel (if you compliment with clean eating)
  4. You feel high, (mood enhancing workout chemicals kick in)
  5. Faster metabolism (At your rest your metabolism remains higher)
  6. Lower Blood Pressure
  7. Healthier Kidneys, form lower blood pressure
  8. Healthier Heart, from lower blood pressure
  9. Super Alert and Focused
  10. Your risk of diabetes goes down (gain more sensitivity to insulin)
  11. Water retention goes down (if that’s a problem for you)
  12. Sex drive goes up (Sex enhancing workout chemicals kick in)
  13. Emotional Rewards (Confidence, Self Esteem, Positivity)

I’m sure there’s lots more.. The point is in the end, if you don’t set short term goals and ride the wave of immediate rewards, you will wonder why things are not changing in the direction you want them to.