As a sophomore in high school, we had gym classes every day. I recall having a horrible cold and feeling awful. The teacher had tough guidelines. I had to play volleyball in spite of feeling lethargic. By the end of the class, I felt excellent. My nose was not running; my energy was great.
That experience was the first time I recognized the power of moving. It happened so long ago, but I still remember the feeling. I try to remind myself to just start moving whenever it is I feel poorly. 
Exercising your body can bolster mental health. It helps us clarify our thoughts. It’s like a booster shot that works almost instantly. It is the feeling of exhilaration one gets after accomplishing something new. A good workout transforms a person. The tiredness goes away. The achy muscles seem to ease and the head just clears up!
The benefits are so good. Even if one just takes a walk, it is uplifting. Sleeping improves, stress is relieved, and the desire to workout more often becomes addictive. Runners say they get a high.
If the benefits are so good, why do we push away from exercising? Is it because we have to change clothes? Is it too much too get in the car and go to the gym? Is it that it isn’t seen as a priority? So why is it we fight establishing a habit? I used to do water programs, but the water and chemicals made me itchy and it was hard to make classes. Working out takes time away from my work? It is hard to do consistently when one is a caretaker. I remember for 2, plan for 2, watch out for 2, and for 24/7, I am on alert for 2. It is all the more reason to stay fit and give myself the gift of moving.
So throwing all the excuses out the window are necessary. Let’s help one another be successful. Take an interest in someone you like. Call them. Write them a note. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER. WALK WITH ONE ANOTHER.
What do you do to conquer these issues? Perhaps you don’t have these issues. Or you somehow resolved them. Send ideas to me so I can share them with others via this blog and in coaching. We need to learn along the way for ourselves and for one another.
I asked myself the question a few months ago of “why don’t I stay consistent with working out?” I keep coming back to the same answers. I hate getting sweated up. It takes planning to drag extra clothes with me. I need to look halfway decent and never do after working out. And how do I take time out of the day to do it? I joined a club and still didn’t do it after a long day.
So I am back to a version of what did work.
First, I realized I was best at not being demanding on myself. I actually told myself that just 10 minutes on the treadmill was easy. It always expands into more time, when I have the television on in front of me. It is just starting that is the hardest for me. Just show up. Although I hope to get down there more often, I have it in my calendar for every other day. Kudos if I do more.
Secondly, I also like to see cumulative progress. I worked on Duolingo for over 240 days, then started again. Then for 555 days until I missed one day and lost the status. That was so frustrating that I lost interest. I think I will get back into another program to keep myself from losing the progress I made up until last week. It just was such an insight for me that I need to visualize and SEE progress.
Losing weight and firming up seem to take such a long time, that at least seeing something on paper helps for the short term. So I have the new 2017 Calendar posted nearby my equipment to list the smallest attempt. It propels me to do more and more.
3rdly, the treadmill, light weight bike, and new rowing machine are lined up with bouncing board in our basement. It is warm down there, easy to get to, and I don’t have to look good for anyone except Rosy. She seems to have found a comfy rug next to the bike to recline on and keep me company.
So with all that figured out, I have a plan to do something in addition to using my Fitbit. That little helper has encouraged me to walk! Now, it is another number on my workout calendar each day.
So friends, let’s do this. Get up and go. Walk the length of a store, walk from your car, take out the dog, or find something you can do each day. It is 2017 and we are all going to be Healthier! Let the Mini Miracles of being consistent work for us. Embrace change!