It’s no secret I’ve been struggling with exercise lately so I’ve had to learn to love exercise like a total newbie. But I think I’ve discovered something truly worth sharing. It might freak you out at first, but stay with me. I promise, it’s not as scary as it sounds, and it will completely change the way you feel about exercise.
After running two half marathons in July/August, and then a load of other health issues over the past few months, I feel almost like I’m starting from ZERO.
Exercise is hard. Motivation is almost non-existent. Once or twice a week I turn my alarm off, roll over and go back to sleep. Other days, I get up grudgingly and go and do the bare minimum, and then feel shite about myself for the rest of the day for not trying hard enough.
At least, I did. But now I’ve found a way to make my life a whole lot easier, and all it took was making one major mind switch. And if you struggle with exercise, I think this could help you too.
Are you ready?
Instead of exercising 3-4 times a week, try exercising every day.
Wait, no! Don’t go! Hear me out, okay?
When you exercise 3-4 days a week, you have a choice every morning. Do I feel like exercising today? Yep – great. Nope (and there is always that nope) – okay, let’s take a break today and try again tomorrow.
Except tomorrow is hard too. And so is the next day, right?
When does it get easier? It doesn’t if you keep going like this.
So here is my key to exercise happiness. Set your alarm and make a deal with yourself. When that sucker goes off, you get up, you go out the front door, and you go move that gorgeous bod of yours in whatever way you fancy. All movement is good movement (except licking melted chocolate off a spoon – pretty sure that doesn’t count as exercise).
Some days you can do something major. I went for a 10km run on Saturday and that felt amazing.
And then other days you might do something tiny. Sunday I walked up to the local park and used the lame-o gym equipment they have there with Miss 10. We didn’t work that hard but we had fun chatting, laughing and exercising together. Other times I go for a walk around the block. But every day I do something.
And every day I feel better about myself, momentum builds and it gets easier and easier to get out that door.
The question of whether I feel like exercise today is now taken care of. The question is now: how much exercising do you feel like doing today? And the great thing about that is that often, once you’ve started, that amount is more than what you first thought, when you were snuggly under your doona.
And the weirdo part about it is that, now that I’m not asking myself that ‘will I or won’t I’ question, I am relaxing and enjoying getting out there and moving. I can’t tell you what a difference this has made to my life, and I seriously think it could help you too if you suffer from that sporadic approach, and find yourself making excuses and saying, “tomorrow…”
What do you think? Could you try exercising every day?
Oh, I so want to love exercise! It offers me so much and I just turn my back. It’s not it, it’s me.We’re just too different. We need to spend more time together.
Love this change of thought.
I’ve had 2 months off from exercise due to sickness and moving house. I feel the same. Struggling to get back my motivation, and feeling like I’m starting from scratch again. Great idea to simply not question exercise every day but question what and how much exercise everyday. Much healthier outlook x
Ok… I think we’re the same person! Ha ha! I too have been struggling since the half in July and after feeling blah and angsty for a while, I decided – that’s it! I must do something every day. When I get back into it, I always think to myself, see how great you feel? So since I write three pages each day (ok I guess it could technically be a journal…), I am documenting how great I feel. So then I can look back and remind myself! Fist bump right back at you! x
awesome post
I’ve always had an “on again off again” relationship with excersise but am currently in the middle of my longest off period in about 3 years. And I feel like crap. I need to make it a priority again so I think you might be right – if you don’t give yourself the option of NOT doing it then you can trick your brain into just freaking DOING it. I am going to give it a try anyway so I’ll let you know how I go….
I reckon you’re onto something here, Carolyn. I must say, though – why does exercise always have to involve an alarm clock? It’s like a weird misnomer that goes hand in hand with exercise – you’ve gotta get up at the crack of dawn. Not for me! x
Fist bump! Yeah!
Love this – and the selfies are priceless – it’s like you are personal training us through the inter webs 🙂
So true. I haven’t gotten to every day but I’m up to about 5 or 6 times a week. I find the more I do it, the better it feels. It’s gotten to the point, where I don’t want to not exercise and even though it’s hard when I’m doing it, it’s always worth it! Now having read this, I’m just going to go out for a run! Thanks for the fitspiration!
Loved this blog post I really need motivating and have been saying for years I need to exercise in the morning before work, as I am always exhausted by the end of the day! I think I just need to bite the bullet and set the alarm extra early!!
Lady, I think you’re right. I’m not great with decisions at the best of times let alone in the wee hours pre coffee x
Your little face makes me want to do it just for you and a fist bump.
BOOM!
This approach totally worked for me until I got really sick and had to stop exercising.
I thinks you make much sense oh wise one… Can you move to Sydney and be my in house motivation 😉 … and drinking partner xx
I love going to the gym but I can only manage it three times a week (that’s what you get for choosing a gym 30 minutes away from home) although I guess I could do other exercises on my off days closer to home.
Yes! Even a walk around the block is great. Clears your head and makes you feel proactive. (That gym must be fantastic!)
EEKS! Maybe you’re right…!!! I have been trying to get rid of my post-preggie belly pouch and I just need that kick up the bum to get started
This makes a lot of sense, Carolyn. I think I may have to adopt your approach. And your photos are fab 🙂
Ha ha, thanks! Hope you try it – it’s really changed my attitude. xx
I love this! And it is totally true. When I need to get back on the horse, I do this. Even for a week, and it’s amazing how quickly your fitness improves. Even just a 1km jog. x
So true, Zanni – it’s much more about the consistency than it is about any huge physical feats. xx
wow, it’s crazy I came across this article today….this is exactly what I realized about a month ago, so for the last month I have exercised everyday, with a goal of doing 30mins min of whatever I want….because of this I often do much more exercise each day. And it’s completely right cause it’s no longer will I exercise today, it’s much easier. 🙂
Oh go you! That’s awesome. Keep up the great work!