Motivate Me to Better Health and Fitness

Doing some form of exercise every day is vital. It keeps your body fit and supple, the muscles firm, the skin healthy and clothes just look better on you.

I also feel something of a hypocrite saying that. I should know because it's the one thing I haven't done over the last few weeks and now my body is suffering. You see, health and fitness is not something that can be bottled and saved for a rainy day, as in those days you really can't be bothered to get out of the chair and into the gym or out into the cold, wet evenings. Or in our case, living as we do down under into the heat and humidity. What can I say - we all have weather problems that can impact on our desire to exercise.

My problem hasn't been weather related though, rather my self-imposed self-sacrificing that I do. What I mean by that is I always put other people's needs first - and in this case it has impacted on my health and fitness in more ways than one.

As you know I have been playing host to relatives in recent times. And there never seemed to be a minute when I wasn't organising something..be it food, entertainment or tour guide duties. I felt that if I took time out to go and exercise I would be neglecting my duties as hostess. I know - call me stupid, call me - anything you like. But one thing I have noticed is this - you have to have time for yourself to work. And I don't just mean to get some exercise - although that is a good start. But time away from the crowds to do what you need to do.

We all need our own space, and as you know my office is right in the middle of the house, which is open plan and I am constantly being interrupted...which is another good reason to get out of the house and do some exercise. Peace and quiet.

Please learn from my mistakes. Some things should never be compromised and your health and fitness is one, and peace of mind is another.

And yes, the last two days I have increased the amount of incidental exercise I do - quite simply I make my guests walk further. But I have also gotten up earlier and made exercising the first thing I do - not the last thing I think about.

And that's worth thinking about.