Setbacks? Get Back to Exercise!
If you google ‘exercise and aging’ you will find over 59 MILLION results. Endless studies have demonstrated the extreme benefits of various types of exercise as we age. With all this proof, it is amazing that exercise is still such an underused health tool! And yet, week after week, as we ask our clients, “How much exercise did you do this week?” the majority will say “little to none”. Exercise is an essential ingredient to the success of your desired lifestyle change.
If you do not currently exercise, start today!
But alas, we are human. When it comes to workouts, I am the first to admit that I’d love to stay in bed at 5:00 am instead of heading out for a sweaty run or grueling bike ride. Something to do with that ‘busy Mom of four kids’ issue I have! However, I know how desperately I need it. I look at it as an investment in my ‘health bank’ as I age. And it just so happens that this time of day works the best with my schedule. Everyone else is still asleep and there’s no guilt for taking that time for me. I feel so energized after a workout and by the time I get to the office, it feels great to have it out of the way!
The key is to find a time and type of exercise that works well for you ( you know, one you’ll really, actually, literally, physically DO ). Then, plan to do it every day. Yes. You read that right – EVERY DAY. Now, in high intensity training situations, rest days are very critical. For your average workouts, moving every day is highly beneficial. This idea of ‘exercising every day’ is so foreign to us. What I love about it is that if you happen to miss a day (an unexpected late night, or your body tells you it needs more rest), there’s no need for panic. Why? Because the other six days a week you’re getting stronger and healthier!
So. . . If you do not currently exercise, start today!
This spring, as the days approached for my first Sprint Triathlon, I came down with a sinus infection. I couldn’t train for the 8 days leading up to the event. That was heartbreaking and made me very anxious as I had planned to practice some key things that I knew would ease my mind when it became time to perform. I made it through the experience (blowing my nose a few times) and felt good about how race day went. The best part was challenging my body and seeing what I could accomplish if I pushed myself.
Since then, I’ve had more setbacks when I was unable to train. I dropped a knife into the vein on the top of my foot and was out almost a week. I had a stomach virus and another flu, and have traveled out of town twice. It’s not easy to get back into it – like I said, I’d rather stay in bed! Having the experience of pushing myself and knowing how much better I feel when I do exercise is wonderful motivation. Not to mention all those studies that show huge benefits from regular exercise.
Take some time to think about, and perhaps even write down, some of your history as it relates to exercise. What sort of things have stopped you from exercising in the past? How can you overcome these impediments? What sort of movement do you enjoy doing? Are you currently moving daily? If so, are you challenging yourself to new levels of strength and endurance? Do you have a plan for when setbacks interfere with your exercise or training routine? What do you think you and your body could accomplish if you gave it the opportunity?
There are endless opportunities for fun, rewarding exercise – try something new, or revisit a favorite sport you haven’t done in a while! Don’t just think or talk about it – take the tried and true ‘Nike’ advice and JUST DO IT! START TODAY!
We can’t wait to hear how you started out your exercise routine today, please share with us. We always love to hear of your accomplishments!