Several years ago, when I was at a Weight Watchers meeting, and I absolutely HATED exercise at the time, I asked a successful Lifetime member how she stayed so fit. Not surprisingly, she answered, "Exercise - it's really critical to losing weight, toning up, and increasing your metabolism."
Not wanting to hear that answer, I whined, "But how can you STAND it? I hate exercise. I don't wanna do it."
She smiled and said, "That's the thing, I don't give myself that choice. It's like brushing your teeth in the morning. A three year old will say they don't wanna do it, but a grown up will realize that it's no choice. You do it. It's something you do to take care of your body."
That was one of the biggest eye-opening moments and is what I'm finally applying the "No choice" approach to my own fitness life. I'm still not an athlete. But I do what I can do every single day, omitting the "should I?" "shouldn't I?" question. I don't give myself an option - it's a MUST DO.
4 comments:
Very grown up. It pays off. I remind myself that it's easier to do it now, than to learn a new habit when I need cardiac rehab.
Absolutely right on that Elysbeth!!!
Chelle,
That is huge. Just huge. I'm working this year on being an adult in all areas, which is harder than it should be, given that I'm already 50 years old. Keep plugging, I guess.
I have 2 things I must do for my physical health (other than not eating things to which I'm allergic, and taking my prescribed meds, which are 2 things that luckily are relatively easy for me). Those two things are to walk or dance every day, and do certain exercises for the continued strength of my knee.
I love to walk in decent weather. I love to dance alone at home (and am alone quite enough). The knee exercises are neither difficult nor lengthy. I still find these things hard to "schedule" or fit in.
Yeah... that rehab thing puts the whole conflict in perspective, doesn't it?
That's a great way to think of it!
C
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