3 WAYS TO FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT
You probably hear it all the time: the hardest part about working out is starting up your routine. That first morning jog, that first cardio class, those first sit ups...it can literally take your breath away. Which is why the actual hardest part is the follow up, the part where you go to that second, third, or fourth class...where you get up and run the next day...the part where you stick with it.
Transitioning into a new lifestyle has its fair share of challenges, chief among them being the actual commitment part. It takes a combination of grit, determination, a positive outlook, and a strong support system. But above all, it takes personalization.
This is your life, after all, so the choices you make have to fit and better your life otherwise they're not sustainable.
Sure, becoming a healthier, more well-balanced version of yourself involves challenging yourself and trying new + unfamiliar things. However, becoming the happiest version of yourself involves constantly meeting yourself where you are throughout the so-called journey...and adapting to the ever-changing realities along the way.
Had a little extra something on your cheat day? Own that! Skipped a spin class because you were "too sore from last time,"? Be real about it. Because that's the only way you can make the changes you need to stay on track! Maybe all you need is to incorporate something more satisfying into your regular diet. Or maybe following up your spin class sessions with a yoga class or two is what you need to shake up your routine and give your body a little break. The point is that if all you do is focus on who you ought to be or who you're trying to be, it's very hard for you to truly enjoy the you that you are right now...and this, in turn, makes it that much harder to stay on track.
You've got to have fun. Moreover, you've got to be you.
So with that in mind, here are three ideas to help make your fitness routine a little more fun:
1. Timing Is Everything
Like most inhabitants of the modern world, you've probably got a lot on your plate! So regularly setting aside time to get active is critical to your success. The trick is make physical activity part of your down time, which may sound counter-intuitive until you think about it.
Physical fitness can be a great way to block out the day-to-day challenges in life and focus solely on the moment. Plus incorporating at least 30 minutes of physical activity into your daily routine has been shown to improve your health, cognition, and overall life expectancy...so what could be more "me-time" than that?
And by building physical activities into your existing downtime, you'll increase the sense of enjoyment you have about being active + minimize the temptation to use other responsibilities as an excuse for not being active.
2. Free Your Mind (And the Rest Will Follow)
Next, expand your definition of what it means to be fit/active. Yes, an intense cardio session or 5-mile run can be highly effective ways to stay in shape, and maintaining a healthy weight is important; however, there's more than one way to live a healthy lifestyle. Gardening, kayaking, walking your dog, even deep cleaning your house can all be great way to increase your physical activity.
Just like a healthy diet, a fitness routine needs to be both well-balanced and sustainable. That means mixing it up from time to time, and finding ways to incorporate things you already love to do. So if running or weight lifting 5x a week is getting a little stale for you, try something different once a week. Maybe mix in a yoga or dance class. Maybe spend a weekend cultivating a backyard garden. Or maybe take a walk or bike ride downtown.
By keeping your fitness routine fresh and engaging, you'll make it easier to have fun. By making it applicable to your life, you'll make it last.
3. Practice Gentle Self-Discipine
Goals are important. They keep us motivated and help us to maintain focus throughout a given journey. But they are not the be all end all. At the end of the day, what matters most is to be true to ourselves. This is different from self-indulgence and self-pity, which only really helps to hold you back. Instead, this is about gentle self-discipline.
Gentle self-discipline requires a growth mindset. It's about breaking free of the mindset that some people are just meant to be fit and happy while others only amount to failed attempts. It's about holding ourselves to the high standards we set at the outset and being gentle with ourselves when we sometimes come up short. It's about seeing fitness and wellness as a journey rather than a destination.
So, lastly, no matter what happens the day before (a cheat day binge or a missed workout) try to approach each day with a fresh perspective. Good health isn't just about goals, it's about personal growth. So treat this process like you would any other growth process and cut yourself some slack every once and while.
In the end, finding your perfect fit(ness routine) is all about being real and having fun for you. So use these tools and find what works best for you. But above all...
Live Well + Eat Happy!
