Spirit of Women magazine is a national publication presented to women by hospitals and their physicians. The magazine provides up-to-date, evidence-based healthcare information and promotes our hospitals as leaders in women's health excellence.
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Personal Fitness 16 W hen you're the head of a fitness company called Beachbody, people just naturally assume you're a workout fanatic who munches on celery and carrot sticks all day, says Carl Daikeler. But the 53-year-old Beachbody chief executive says if he were left to his own devices, he would eat "like a second grader." And he absolutely hates to exercise. "The essence of the [Beachbody] company is that we're constantly trying to solve my problem [of how to live a healthier lifestyle]!" he laughs. One-two punch Daikeler, who co-founded his California-based company in 1998 to create at-home fitness and weight-loss solutions, says effective workouts can run the gamut from intense, high-powered regimens to more relaxed practices such as yoga. The important thing, he says, is consistency of effort combined with making good eating choices. "The only silver bullet for a healthy lifestyle is the one that supports the way you want to live and is for real," says Daikeler. He admits that it's easy enough to talk about getting fit or even to start a new exercise routine, but sticking with it over time is the sticking point for him and many others. Daikeler recommends two tips that he says work for him: Schedule fitness into each month. At the beginning of every month, put together a written schedule of the days and times you plan to exercise—make them meetings with yourself just like any other regular activities or events. "You want to know that you have that half hour or 20 minutes [or more] set aside for your fitness," says Daikeler. "Create a calendar or add it to your regular calendar—literally what time and what workout." Enlist some peer support. That support can come from family or friends or both. "When you're initiating a lifestyle change, sometimes it can be very difficult to get support inside the household," says Daikeler. "So have a friend who maybe wants to start the program at the same time. Or talk to family members and say, 'Let's all do this.'" With social media, your peer support doesn't all have to be local, he adds. "You can be spread all around the country, and check in with each other to make sure everyone is following the diet, doing the exercise. That little bit of influence is the catalyst for consistency, we've found." Daikeler says social media peer pressure from other Beachbody users is a powerful motivator for him even when he's tempted to slack off. "I know when that alarm goes off at 5 a.m., another 10,000 people are going to be posting their sweaty selfies," he says. "If I don't show mine, then I'm a fraud. I could easily not [exercise]— I would love to sleep in. Accountability is really a difference maker." By Elizabeth Brewster 1 2 Before you start a new fitness program: 1 2 3 Carl Daikeler : Beachbody's 2 steps to a healthier lifestyle TODAY Check in with your physician to make sure you're healthy enough for the type of workouts you're planning. Be realistic about your current fitness level when choosing an appropriate exercise regimen. Plan to start slow and increase your intensity level as you gain strength and stamina.