Carving Your Exercise Groove

It never gets easier...you just get better! - Jordan Hoechlin

So, you knew that fitness and exercise was going to come up sooner or later in our chats, right? Who doesn't want to be healthy, strong and flexible as we age well? Have you thought of your "Why?" For me, my genetics point to a likely longer life, probably living into my 90's like my family's previous two generations. I also don't want to place an avoidable burden on my daughter, so I want to remain healthy and independently able until I'm dead! For you, maybe it's relationships and connections that motivate you. Not only do you want to be around for your family and friends today, but you want to participate in thrilling future holidays, new jobs, and adventures as they unfold!

In his book, The Power of Less, Leo Bobauta talks about STARTING LIGHT - think about building your foundation, your framework, curating a thoughtful, yet brief array of exercises. Maybe you won't need to wring out your t-shirt the first few times you hit the gym! Start out gradually, taking baby-steps, avoiding total exhaustion as your end result to your workout. Why? Because you want to WANT to get back to it again, and again! So, you're taking on your new workout habit methodically, progressively and this leads to consistency! Which leads to a more firmly established habit! Yay! You're on your way to fulfilling that promise to yourself...capturing and maintaining resilience, strengthening your heart, lungs and muscles, but not all at once - not in a day, a week or even a month! Pacing yourself keeps you in the race! Build in incremental challenges by choosing short-term and achievable goals. These smaller actions yield long-term results and lasting habits that ultimately enhance our quality of life!

Reinforce your habit by scheduling work-out appointments into your week - when are you going to get this done? Set yourself up for success by choosing times when your are most likely to consistently show up at the gym. If (When) you slip up, remember, you aren't falling off a cliff! Press reset! You get a re-do! Share your energy with a buddy to help each other be accountable and consistent. Logging your progress and improvements help you to be accountable too!

I loved Leo Bobauta's, The Power of Less! For me, simplifying, minimizing and redesigning improves my approach to shaping my tasks, energy and focus! Check it out at your local public library! It makes for an easy read, and I promise it is time well spent!