Active Life? Start here! {Part 1}
So, you think you want to be active but you aren’t sure where to start? Let me help you with that!
We will start with you helping me answer a few questions.
First up: WHY? It is important to consider why it is that you want to be active. So many people start out because they think they “should” be active. While this may be enough to get you out the door or to go buy a pair of new shoes, it will not be enough to keep you going for the long haul. How do I know this? Tell me five things right now that you think you should do but don’t do. See? The thing about the shoulds is they are powered by negative energy. Negative energy tends to fizzle out when the tough stuff comes up. Whereas, positive energy..that keeps on coming and coming. Here are a few examples of “whys” that come from positive energy:
I want to have energy to play with my kids/grandkids
I know that I am happier on the days that I am active
I want to live a healthy life
I want to take care of the body I have been given
I want to fit into every pair of jeans in my closet
It honestly doesn’t matter what your why is if it is coming from positive energy. Let go of that negative self talk. Self loathing never got anyone anywhere pretty.
WHAT? What form of active will you choose? I, of course, am partial to running but there are so many options out there! Why do I choose running? Calorie burn is unmatched, it takes me to beautiful places, I like chatting with a friend or client while I run/social, it is hard every time but also doable, simple: put on your shoes, run out the door! Other options and some that I participate in are weight lifting, strength training, yoga or other fitness classes, tennis, pickleball, walking, hiking, snow shoeing, skiing, biking, swimming and on and on. Can you do different things every day? Of course! I heard somewhere that if you want to get better at something that you need to do it at least 3x/week which I have found to be the case.
WHERE? The point I want to make here is that, if possible, be active outside. Just getting outside will lift your spirits; something about new perspective and fresh air. Also, I think the more simple you can make your plan the more likely you will stick to it so try for something close to home. If the weather is not cooperating then find an online class to do from home. When starting to run, just find a loop in your neighborhood that is 1-2 miles. The gym is always an option but certainly not the only one. And while we are on weather…almost any weather is workoutable. Seriously, I have spikes for my running shoes that allow me to run on the snow packed trails. There is real quality workout gear available that will keep you going in all climates.
WHEN? Another big hurdle for people. If you don’t have the typical 45 minutes available in the morning before your day gets started, then think outside the box. Could you walk on your lunch hour? Go for a run as soon as your spouse gets home from work? I remember running in the neighborhood where my kids took piano lessons or during soccer practice. Saying that you don’t have time to be active means that you just haven’t found it. Also, it is important to be flexible on this one. And by that I don’t mean do it a different time every day but if the time you have planned out won’t work, try something else. I remember when I was training for a marathon and I needed to do a 2 hour run but did not have 2 hours available on the day I was supposed to run it…I separated the run and did 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in mid afternoon. If you are really committed, a little scheduling challenge will not stop you!
Next week look for WHO? HOW? and WHAT TO WEAR?
I’d love to hear how you are choosing to be active. Tell me all the things: why? what? when?
Most important…just get started!
xoKathleen
