Unless you know "Why?" you desire to embark upon a new habit of
exercising and eating right, it is too easy to quit once the
"voices" inside your head begin to "speak". These are the
"voices" that tell you to hit the snooze button and skip your
morning workout, that you are "too busy", that you are too tired
or too old or you just don't have the time.
Consider this:
what if I promised to give you a thousand dollars for each hour
that you exercised tomorrow? Would you work out? What if I told
you that this offer is good, every day, for as long as you
continue to exercise without missing a single day? But there is
a catch: you can't change a single thing that you currently do
in your life… your job, family commitments or other hobbies and
activities. What if I upped the ante and guaranteed you that
your relationships with your kids, spouse, parents and closest
friends would improve significantly?. What if you were assured
to feel incredible mentally, emotionally and physically? What if
you were guaranteed to be more financially successful, as well
as more successful professionally? Would you exercise tomorrow?
How about the next day? I bet you would!
Now, I can't give you that kind of financial reward, but if you
answered "Yes", then the problem is not your lifestyle, that you
are tired or have reached a certain age or have too little time.
The problem is that you simply don't connect powerful reasons,
personal emotional reasons to why you must exercise
consistently.
The successful clients that we work with all have very powerful
reasons to follow through on their exercise… a carrot, if you
will. Seldom do they miss a workout and although they don't eat
perfectly, they strive to consume the best meals possible to
reach their goals. Why? Because they want it badly enough and
know their own personal reasons "WHY?"
For me, I found my motivation lagging a bit during my wife's
pregnancy in 2006. Although I continued to exercise regularly, I
wasn't as focused, didn't work as hard as I could have, I ate
comfort foods along with my wife...and I gained a few extra
pounds. But after my daughter was born, I re-established my
powerful reasons why I absolutely must to get back into the very
best shape of my life.
See, I have such a strong desire to be a role model for my
daughter (now 3) AND I (now 40!) want to have all the energy needed
to keep up with her. If you have
kids, you know what I mean! I want to be able to throw my
daughter in the pool as many times as she says "Again Daddy"
(trust me, she never tires of being tossed up and out of the
water)! I want to be able to dance with her for as long as she
wants to dance (living room dancing is a tradition in the
Calkins family).
So for me, being fit and having a lot of energy is critical to
being a good parent. There are other reasons too...I love how I
feel, emotionally, physically and mentally when I'm in good
shape. I love sharing fitness with others. And I do have some
competitive blood running through my veins – and my current goal of
completing a marathon at age 40 is a driving force for me. But
the number one reason I get up early to hit the weights, go for
a run or jump on the elliptical machine is to give me all I need
to keep up with my daughter.
Are you ready to discover your own reasons why you want to
change your lifestyle behaviors? Are you ready to become
consistent with your exercise routine? If so, take out a sheet
of paper and write down 5 reasons "WHY?" you want to begin a new
and healthy lifestyle (or enhance the one you're already on).
Then, when the "voices" start to speak, you can shout back,
"No! This is "WHY" I am doing this. Because…"
Now, after writing down 5 reasons, take three of them and
embellish a bit by putting your heart and soul into expounding
on the most important reasons you need to begin exercising and
eating quality, nutritious foods. Then, every time that you are
faced with the "voices" you can pull out your reasons and read
them. Copy your reasons and put them everywhere. On your fridge,
your car, your office, even your wallet or purse. Have it ready
to pull out at a moment's notice.
This is "WHY?" I am doing this!
Your "WHY?" will help you get out of bed early to exercise or
forgo your hour lunch in exchange for a healthy smoothie and a
30 minute workout . Your "WHY?" will keep you on track when work
or the kids or other obligations come calling for your time.
When you feel like quitting, remember there was a reason, a
"WHY?" you joined boot camp. You will succeed! Remind yourself
each day "WHY?" you are traveling this journey. Review your list
often.
Below is a partial list of reasons why people make the
unwavering commitment to exercise and eat right.
Exercise helps me:
-
sleep better, relax, and improves my mood
-
feel more energetic and productive
-
be
more mentally sharp
-
enjoy higher levels of resistance to fatigue, stress and the
demands of life
-
be
a role model for those I care about
-
process data more effectively
-
enhance my sense of well being
-
function at higher levels physically
-
keep up with my kids or grandkids
-
clear out the mental cobwebs and be more focused
-
be
more successful professionally and personally
-
reduce my level of anxiety and manage stress
-
to improve my self-esteem and boost my confidence
-
Exercise works better than Viagra!
-
to lose weight and feel wonderful in the process
-
improve my physical appearance allowing me to feel good about
myself
-
increase my strength and endurance giving me the ability to
enjoy all the activities I love
Additional benefits of exercise includes:
-
Increasing your resting metabolic rate to allow you to burn
more calories throughout the day
-
Increases your stamina and ability to do continuous work
-
Improves fitness levels, or your body's ability to use oxygen
-
Perform at higher levels of productivity while becoming less
fatigued
-
Provides protection against injury when playing sports or
engaging in favorite activities
-
Improves your balance and coordination
-
Increases bone mineral density to prevent osteoporosis
-
Reduces triglycerides and bad cholesterol
-
Reduces heart disease and stroke
-
Reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer
-
Increases insulin sensitivity, preventing type 2 diabetes
-
Improves the function of your immune system
So, what are your reasons "Why?" Write them down now & review
them often!
See you at camp, bright and early!
