My mindset was in a whole different place in January of 2015 than it is now. I am the most inconsistent with exercise that I can remember being since I started. I have all the same silly excuses that everyone else does. I'm injured. I'm achy. I'm busy. I'm tired. I'm cold. It's dark. It's winter. ooh look there's a cookie!
But none of that is really true. OK, maybe the cookie part is true. And yes, I am injured, but there are workouts that work just fine. Like LIFTING! But I'd rather walk around pouting because I want to do my cardio. I want my rush. I want my music. I want to do Tread with my Treaders. I want to hike at Highbanks and Sharon Woods with Marie. I want to run with Kim. Wah Wah Wah!
Somebody call the WAHmbulance!
So...[deep breath] here's what I've noticed from being inconsistent with exercise for six long months:
- My back has gone out three times (thanks a lot, core!)
- I drink less water, more caffeine
- My neck and shoulders ache
- I don't sleep as well
- My pants are uncomfortable
- My summer clothes are not gonna fit if I keep going in this direction
- I'm more prone to what I call dark days
- My energy level is not the same
- I feel like a slug who just ate Thanksgiving dinner twice, plus pie
Here's what I know. The mindset that led me to do twelve halfs, that same mindset that led me across the Grand Canyon, that mindset comes from a decision.
Once I decided to run those twelve in twelve, there was no stopping me
Once I decided to hike the Canyon, there was no stopping me.
Waiting for magic dust to fall, so that I'll feel like exercising, is a disempowered stance.
Radical empowerment comes from making a decision to do something different, to work out, to lift, to walk, to drink water.
Self esteem comes from honoring that decision, and doing what I ask myself to do.
If I want to feel better about myself, I have to make an action plan and get to work on it, whether I feel like it or not. I might need some accountability to get back on track. But I must honor my commitment to myself. There's no other way.
The beautiful thing is, I already know that it only takes three days (3 days!!) of consistent clean eating, exercising, and drinking my water to feel like I am right back on track. It's miraculous. Try it! Set your mind to three days of eating super clean (lots of veggies, very little junk), getting three great workouts in, and pounding lots and lots of water. Let's do it together.
Lie: To feel better about myself, I should wait until I feel like taking action.
Truth: To feel better about myself, I shift my mindset, create a plan of action, then get to work, whether I feel like it or not. Very soon after taking action, I'll feel like it more and more. It's one of the little miracles of this process.
And just like that...back on track.