Your life...your body...your choice.

We've all heard how important it is to exercise. I know (blah, blah, blah) nothing new there. But despite all of the fitness magazines, health focused books, and segments on the Today Show, sometimes we just don't do it.

Al Roker in the Chicago Half Marathon--Go Al!

I've been having difficulty getting motivated to exercise lately. I know I feel so much better when I do (mentally and physically) exercise but lately when 5:45 am comes along I've been hitting the snooze button like a big old wimp.


Don't do it!!

So this morning I decided it was time for some tough love and to get back on a schedule of pounding my running shoes into the pavement. Because, the truth is there aren't any good excuses for not exercising. I found this quote on www.fastpaleo.com (the writer is into martial arts and was explaining how he views his time spent preparing healthy meals and exercising):  

“Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. The choice to use some of that time to put good things in your body is exactly that — a choice. Take any day and consider the choices you have made. Then consider how many of them were more important than your health.”

Sure if you have small children, a job, a husband, are in school, or are alive you have responsibilties that take some time out of those 24 hours each day. But just like your teachers have always told you, you need to manage your time.

Like it or not, time keeps ticking but you can manage it!

Truthfully, if you take a hard look at what your daily schedule entails you can surely find 30 minutes to an hour to exercise everyday.

Do you watch TV? Maybe you really like to watch an hour of TV each night to unwind, but could you live with half and hour and spend the other half taking a walk with your family after dinner?

Could you get up a half hour or hour earlier in the mornings before the day starts and excuses mount for why you can't make it to the gym? (This is when I know my workout has to happen during the week--5:45 am--otherwise everything else mounts and my workout falls by the wayside).

Or how about at work--do you get a lunch break? Brown bag it and take part of your lunch break to walk around the neighborhood where you work.

The time is probably there, you just have to find it and use it. Somedays it may not pan out but try for just a few minutes each day and work up from there.  

Here are some ways that I try to keep myself moving and motivated...

1. Be Consistent. Knowing that if I just choose something, anything, I will be better off. Personally I've found that consistency is the key. I have to get in a workout groove and stay there..creature of habit needs to stick with a schedule. Do something, move your muscles, sweat. Even if I run just three miles a day, everyday (or let's say 5 days a week) that's 15 miles a week...and somewhere around 1500+ calories. Whether you run or walk most people, of varying fitness levels, can make it a few miles within a hour. Do what you can. But do something.

2. Schedule it. If you have a blackberry, iphone, computer, or composition notebook you probably find yourself making lists and appointments for yourself. Make exercise an appt, and keep it.

3. Keep a log. A workout log shows you how much you have done, how your endurance and strength have improved, and you can even incorporate goals for the future. Added bonus, it should give you a sense of accomplishment when you can look back and see all of the days that you made a choice to do something good for your body.

4. Set a goal. Setting goals and outlining fun (fitness centered) events for your year and then training for them can be fun, rewarding, and keep you on target for accomplishing your exercise goals. I sat down with my calendar in 2010 and mapped out the five borough bike tour around NYC, the Shamrock Half Marathon, and the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I didn't do it this year and because I didn't make the committment I didn't do as many big events this year. And you know, I really miss it. So I will be working on my mileage base for the next few months and then setting some fun new fitness goals.

5. Choose something you like. If you decide to start running, but you know you hate to run you will never do it. Pick an exercise that you like and have fun with so that you will stick to your workout plans. Remember, even grownups need play time.

If my suggestions for how to keep up with your workouts didn't do it, here is a list of reasons to exercise:

1. Increase confidence (when you feel strong, you feel confident)

2. Stress relief (put on your sneakers and move, let your body take over and give your head a break after a long day)

3. Fit in your clothes (It kind of stinks to put on a pair of pants that once fit and now realizing they are snug..)

4. Being ready to have fun (and be active) (its a shame to pass up a great opportunity because you aren't in good enough physical shape to do it, some day each of us might not have the physical capabilties we have now-enjoy what you've got while you've got it)

5. Set a good example (if you have kids it is a great example to show them that you put your health as a priority--your good habits will rub off!)

6. Time for yourself (working out gives you some 'you time' and we all need that)

7. Live for a long time (who doesn't want to live to see their grandkids--and be able to play with them!)

8. Look good on the beach. (yep, it's purely vanity and that's not so wrong once in a while).

When you take a few minutes to look at the facts, and consider the alternative to not exercising (feeling overall malaise, yuck, and being unable to keep up and live your life)...there really isn't a choice.

Exercise and live your life to the fullest or stay on the couch and be a spectator to other people's lives.



Get moving! Now!


I know what I choose. How about you? How do you stay motivated?