Habit 1 of Chronically Fit People: Be Active

[This takeoff on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People began Saturday where you’ll find my complete list of The 7 Habits of Chronically Fit People.]

[Photo credit: PrintShop Art Gallery.]

Stephen Covey’s #1 Habit of Highly Effective People is to “Be Proactive”.

My #1 Habit of Chronically Fit People is to “Be Active”. Here I’m not talking about exercising an hour a day or taking up tennis or skiing. I’m talking about being active in the sense of being in constant motion.

I’ve observed that the chronically fit are pretty much in constant motion. They don’t sit still for long. They’re up and down. They fidget standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for the elevator – though not in a nervous way.

It’s just the way they’re programmed. Their engine never goes below fast idle except perhaps when they sleep. If they’re just genetically programmed this way, is it possible for one to develop a faster idle?

My answer is a resounding “Yes!” If you can work more natural activity into your day, you may be surprised to find yourself with more energy than before … which will cause you to become more active … get more accomplished … feel more productive … and over time even drop excess weight.

Without jumping ahead to Habit #4 of Highly Effective People, I have to tell this #1 step in truly a win/win.

Your homework for today is to turn up you engine’s idle. Get up from your chair frequently. Stretch. Take that further parking spot. Take the stairs. Laugh out loud. Go outside and walk around your garden after you put on the pot of water for dinner. Pull up a few weeds while you’re there. Be aware of your surroundings and rearrange things as you walk by.

It’ll take more than one day to a new habit make, but I want a full report tomorrow on how you feel after just one day of seeking out all the little movements you can find.

Tomorrow we’ll go on to Habit #2. Please come back.

Tags: 7 habits of … , healthy weight maintenance, achieving a healthy weight, love your body, put food in perspective, choose healthy food, eat healthy for life, exercise and weight control