I’m going on vacation and I was telling some of my clients about how I workout every day. Like most people, you are probably thinking that is weird or obsessive or maybe even obsessively weird. But I think you would be interested to know my reason for this.
I exercise every day because I see it as a reward, not a punishment.
That is a huge mindset shift that can help you tremendously if you start using it.
Exercise is not a way to make up for you “eating bad” or your penance because you are overweight. It is a way to make you feel better! To be energized, in a better mood, enjoy life to the fullest, and to feel amazing.
Now I don’t do hard core, killer workouts every day. Really the only “scheduled” workouts are that I lift weights 3-4 times a week and do jiu-jitsu 1-2 times a week. The other exercise is hiking, walking, biking, playing sports, jumping rope, stretching, foam rolling, and whatever else I find time for and enjoy.
And all these aren’t hours at a time. Two days ago I got busy, so I had time for 10 minutes on a Versaclimber (cardio machine). I may shoot hoops with my son for 15 minutes or take the dog for a walk with my wife. The main thing for me is to get up and move in a way I find enjoyable. And I also don’t beat myself up if I miss a day because I know I will be right back at it the next day.
Because here is the thing, it just keeps getting better. The more you move, the more your body craves movement. The more you are sedentary, the more your body craves that.
So if you are not doing any exercise right now, this last message is for you:
The hardest workout you will ever do is that first workout when you have not been doing anything.
It is so hard to start when you feel terrible, you are overweight, uncomfortable, etc…That is actually good news! That means if you stick to it, it gets better all the time. You HAVE to stick to it like your life depends on it, because it actually might.
I’m not saying you have to exercise every day, I just want to encourage to look for more ways to move your body. For people that are currently working out and especially if you are not.
It’s not easy, but the rewards are so worth it.