normal.
With the Tread classes I lead, my lifting, core work, and walks outside I probably average 7-8 hours of exercise a week. Sounds like a lot, until I recall that there are 168 hours in a week. That means less than 5% of my time is spent exercising, and it's my profession.
I spend more time eating. Sleeping. Working. Driving. Watching TV. Watching music videos and making playlists. I'd say showering but that would be a lie. haha
There is nothing impossible about doing a daily workout, except we lack belief that we can. There is enough time! Do like I do and give up shower time for workout time (again, haha). Trade some TV time for walking, or better yet combine the two so you don't feel deprived. It's all about creating a new habit.
If you need to set your intention to help create this new habit, sign up for the Mile a Day challenge. It starts Feb. 29th and runs through the end of June. The goal is to walk (or run if you wish) a minimum of one mile every day. Purpose: to create the habit of daily exercise, and to conquer the false belief that it's not possible.
What always stopped me was a list of false beliefs:
1. It had to be a certain amount of time (45 minutes - an hour) to be worth it
2. It had to be INTENSE, sweaty, exhausting to be worth it
3. I'd always need a shower after
4. A short walk wouldn't do anything so why bother
Things like that. But read this:
"About 2 weeks ago, I hit over 100 miles with the Mile a Day Challenge. I thought “Wow! I’m over 100 miles! Incredible!” Then I started slacking. Work got very busy and I had meetings in the evenings. I thought “It won’t hurt me to miss a few. I’m already over 100 miles.” BIG MISTAKE! After about 3 or 4 days of not walking, I started feeling tired all the time. Then the anxiety hit me. I’m prone to this anyway but it hit me in a big way. I couldn’t concentrate as well and my sleep wasn’t as good. THEN, because I wasn’t feeling as well, I starting eating bad. UGH! What a terrible cycle. Once I realized what was happening, I started walking EVERY DAY. It was hard at first, but I started to feel better, slowly but surely. Then I had to get the eating under control. Getting that back was hard too. Kind of like detox. Bottom line: I learned a valuable lesson. Even when the challenge is over, I’m going to walk a mile every day. NO MATTER WHAT!"
Does it have to be a long, intense workout? No.
Does walking ~ a mile have a major impact on your health and your life? Yes.
Take your power back. Set up your life so that you can walk for 15-20 minutes a day. Outside if you need it. Before you take your shower in the morning if that's what stops you. Do like I do and learn the art of freshening up after a short walk without needing another shower. Find all those things, those thoughts and fears, that stop you and override them with the truth.
I can do this.
It is worth the effort.
I am worth the effort.
You are worth the effort.
It might seem hard, but we'll just do it together. Let's go!