Health Improvement Research Paper
Health Improvement Paper
I like to think of myself as an active person. But when I really think about it, it is more of my ideal self is actually the active person. In truth, I work out a lot less than I would like to admit. When I am being good and on top of being active, I will be going to the gym four to five times a week. I feel great and proud of myself, but that trend tends to only last for a few weeks or months and then I am right back to going intermittently. It can be challenging to get the motivation to go. To be able to see any benefits from going, you have to be committed in continually going to the gym; when laps in going means starting back from scratch on endurance and stamina. From the many health benefits from physical activity, it is foolish to not go to the gym. That is why my health behavior I want to change is to go to the gym regularly.
When I have managed to go to the gym often and keep an active lifestyle, I do notice an overall boost in mood and energy levels. Not only do I not dread getting out of bed in the morning, but I wake feeling more refreshed. I can get out of bed without hitting the snooze button a dozen times and able to wake up …show more content…
earlier. By influencing my food preferences, I have a tendency to choose healthier foods, craving less heavy meals and make more fruit and vegetable choices, when I workout often. More importantly, working out is associated with decreased depression (Annesi, 2005), reduced feels of worry or concern due to stress (Dunn et al., 2010), protects against stress (Ensel & Lin, 2004), and helps with better cognitive functioning (Smith et al., 2006). Not only does working out have benefits of feeling and look healthier, but it has many long-term health benefits. Most importantly reducing the risk of stroke in women (Hu et al., 2000), delaying bone density loss (Vainionpaa et al., 2005), and because working out regularly helps fight off obesity, it reduces the risk of developing type two diabetes (Jeon et al.,2007).
There have been many obstacles that get in the way of going to the gym more often then I have wanted to in the past. Most apparent, is that it is a time commitment. When there is so much to do in a finite amount of time, I have to make choices of where to allocate my time and time for the gym just does not seem to be there in a busy week. Not only the time you have to set aside for being at the gym, is the time it takes to plan for the gym. I have to make sure I bring workout clothes, plan when I should eat and how long I can stay. Then, of course when I do find I have the time, I would just rather not go. I want to go watch Netflix instead of being active. To sit down, relax, and not have to do anything. I don’t want to be active and work up a sweat. I don’t want to deal with being all sweaty and foul after my workout and having to shower. I don’t want to have to push myself to keep going on the bicycle or the treadmill. I just want to sit and do something that involves no mental or physical strain.
What I know the most effective plan I can have for making time for the gym, is to schedule it as the required task it is.
How classes and meetings are scheduled, set time aside five days a week, where I required go to the gym. By writing out and planning my schedule for the month, I can see were all my availability truly is. I can plan for when to study and how much free time I do have open. I can schedule my week more efficiently and allocate my time in the appropriate areas, most importantly not wasting study time. Out of habit of making going to the gym a mandatory task, it will become second nature. I won’t think about what I could rather go do or how to get out of going to workout. Not only planning my month, but also packing and keeping the gym bag in my car, there is no excuse to skip
going.
By making a monthly plan, my 21 day plan to go to the gym five times a week is attainable. With a weekly schedule, I have certain times set aside where I know I have to go to the gym. Because of the numerous physical and mental health benefits being consistently active offer, going to the gym regularly is the best change I can make in my routine.
I like to think of myself as an active person. But when I really think about it, it is more of my ideal self is actually the active person. In truth, I work out a lot less than I would like to admit. When I am being good and on top of being active, I will be going to the gym four to five times a week. I feel great and proud of myself, but that trend tends to only last for a few weeks or months and then I am right back to going intermittently. It can be challenging to get the motivation to go. To be able to see any benefits from going, you have to be committed in continually going to the gym; when laps in going means starting back from scratch on endurance and stamina. From the many health benefits from physical activity, it is foolish to not go to the gym. That is why my health behavior I want to change is to go to the gym regularly.
When I have managed to go to the gym often and keep an active lifestyle, I do notice an overall boost in mood and energy levels. Not only do I not dread getting out of bed in the morning, but I wake feeling more refreshed. I can get out of bed without hitting the snooze button a dozen times and able to wake up …show more content…
earlier. By influencing my food preferences, I have a tendency to choose healthier foods, craving less heavy meals and make more fruit and vegetable choices, when I workout often. More importantly, working out is associated with decreased depression (Annesi, 2005), reduced feels of worry or concern due to stress (Dunn et al., 2010), protects against stress (Ensel & Lin, 2004), and helps with better cognitive functioning (Smith et al., 2006). Not only does working out have benefits of feeling and look healthier, but it has many long-term health benefits. Most importantly reducing the risk of stroke in women (Hu et al., 2000), delaying bone density loss (Vainionpaa et al., 2005), and because working out regularly helps fight off obesity, it reduces the risk of developing type two diabetes (Jeon et al.,2007).
There have been many obstacles that get in the way of going to the gym more often then I have wanted to in the past. Most apparent, is that it is a time commitment. When there is so much to do in a finite amount of time, I have to make choices of where to allocate my time and time for the gym just does not seem to be there in a busy week. Not only the time you have to set aside for being at the gym, is the time it takes to plan for the gym. I have to make sure I bring workout clothes, plan when I should eat and how long I can stay. Then, of course when I do find I have the time, I would just rather not go. I want to go watch Netflix instead of being active. To sit down, relax, and not have to do anything. I don’t want to be active and work up a sweat. I don’t want to deal with being all sweaty and foul after my workout and having to shower. I don’t want to have to push myself to keep going on the bicycle or the treadmill. I just want to sit and do something that involves no mental or physical strain.
What I know the most effective plan I can have for making time for the gym, is to schedule it as the required task it is.
How classes and meetings are scheduled, set time aside five days a week, where I required go to the gym. By writing out and planning my schedule for the month, I can see were all my availability truly is. I can plan for when to study and how much free time I do have open. I can schedule my week more efficiently and allocate my time in the appropriate areas, most importantly not wasting study time. Out of habit of making going to the gym a mandatory task, it will become second nature. I won’t think about what I could rather go do or how to get out of going to workout. Not only planning my month, but also packing and keeping the gym bag in my car, there is no excuse to skip
going.
By making a monthly plan, my 21 day plan to go to the gym five times a week is attainable. With a weekly schedule, I have certain times set aside where I know I have to go to the gym. Because of the numerous physical and mental health benefits being consistently active offer, going to the gym regularly is the best change I can make in my routine.