Loving Your Fitness.
Question: Do you love your fitness?Ideas that work. Do you enjoy the things you participate in to stay in shape, get in shape, work your body and raise your energy/boost your mood? I have spent the past week thinking about this as it is valentines weekend,the weekend of love, and it is also a 3 day holiday weekend. On top of that the area where I live has gotten a ton of snow and throngs of people are flocking to the ski area, nordic centers and snowshoe trails to experience the snow. I have to assume this is a love for moving in the outdoors. I am of the same mindset.
When I am rested, fed and feel like I have a little space in my day I like to get out an enjoy activities that take more than an hour of my time. What I am able to do fitness wise duirng a full work week looks a lot different than when I can get out with some flex in my daily schedule. You may also find while there are things you really love to do, fitting them in can be a challenge as life tends to find ways to fill all the spare space.
I decided after years of competitive training I was going to explore making fitness fun at least 80% of the time. This was a far cry from my previous experience which was that no matter how I felt I was gong to get the workout done. As a health coach I bring this philosophy to the people I work with. Having experiences that feel like bliss might not happen all the time but what a gift to have this even half the time as part of what you come to expect. Here are a few things that can help you to know your on the right track with a program that allows you to love your fitness, ideas that work. Last week I wrote a blog that also has more ideas that you may find helpful. https://www.health-fitness-coaching.com/2020/02/how-to-create-a-fitness-plan-that-sticks/
- Mix it up. Doing the same thing over and over will become monotonous after awhile. If there are only a few go to’s that you like I recommend sticking with them and beginning the process of exploring what else is out there.
- Get outside for at least one of your fitness go too’s per week. Mother Nature is the great healer and there is something simple, powerful and rejuvenating about the great outdoors.
- Be flexible. If your schedule is for a Hot Yoga class and your just not feeling it what would feel good? A walk, a run, youtube yoga? Be willing to change your course to stay engaged and to enjoy the experience.
- Remember, you are in charge. You can change things, explore new things, try something and not like it, try something and be surprised by how much you like it. Just get your body moving and in ways that make you feel glad you spent the time doing that activity.
I did things over and over that did not bring me much joy. While they made me strong and helped me achieve certain goals I am happy to let that go at this time. Yes, if your training for a high performance outcome there will be times when things get painful and hard and you just stick with it. I sometimes feel that now when I do an activity that is physically demanding. The difference is that I feel great when I am done and am very happy I had the chance to push and engage.
In the end life is short and why not create fitness choices that bring you a feeling of happiness and or accomplishment. Keep in mind what you may be able to do during the week could look different than weekends and that is OK. Everything counts and it all builds on your over all well being.
In support of you being able to live a life that feels free, powerful and awake.
Laurie Bagley
