Anyone who has taken the plunge into an exercise program knows that the hardest part is starting it. Especially when you haven’t done it in a long time.
You find all the excuses – Not enough time, it costs too much, my back is sore, I’m too tired, I have too many other things going on, etc. and my own favorite reason – Procrastination. I’ll start it next month, a couple more weeks, I need a new bike [insert some component or clothing item]….oh hell I’ll wait for better weather, I need a partner. Oh I know…I’ll make it my New year’s resolution. The list goes on.
Well, I’ve been making those excuses since just prior to my youngest being born. Although anyone who’s had kids knows that experience is probably the most legitimate reason. Babies take time and attention and they don’t care what your schedule is like.
Well my youngest is now 18 months old and I’ve gone from the best shape in my life to probably the worst. I’ve decided that I need to stop fooling myself with all of the excuses and I need to– pardon the Nike mantra- Just do it.
Aside from keeping myself fit, I want to set the example for my little ones. I don’t want them thinking that camping out in front of the TV, computer or video game console is a healthy way to live. I came to the realization this week that I’ve been modeling some poor habits as of late. “Ok son, you need to put down the Nintendo & take a break from it”. I say this as I look up from laptop while sitting on the couch with the TV on. Actions speak louder than words to little people. (As a side note we’re actually talking about getting a Wii / Wii Fit – but not just for entertainment purposes. The Wii actually incorporates physical activity and it’s something the family unit can do together.)
The key to staying motivated in getting yourself into shape is setting multiple achievable goals and giving yourself a Carrot. It’s human nature that if there is no sense of progress in what you’re doing, you stop doing it. Don’t make just one goal of something huge that will take you a year to achieve. Give yourself a weekly and a monthly goal and find methods to measure your progress and then chart it. When you begin seeing an “arc” of progress occurring it mentally gears you into continuing. Keep a daily log. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. A spiral notebook and writing instrument will work. Maybe a simple excel or word document on the ’puter for those of us with crappy handwriting. Write down 1 positive thing about your workout every day, no matter how beat up you felt. I kept a myspace blog during my race training and there was one bad bike day where I simply posted. Well, I got on the bike today. It was funny to read later on and it was motivation to get on the bike those days where snoozing on the couch with the Tel-e on seemed more inviting.
Planning can be good but don’t get too focused on setting up such detailed plans. Being a “Virgo” we tend to be very analytical and create detailed plans. Sometimes the energy in planning overshadows the implementation and defeats the purpose. Especially when you have a busy schedule, don’t derail yourself because you had to take a few days off for plans with your family. Sometimes you just need to put the pencil down, dive in and start something and plan as you go.
So there it is. I’ve published it and I would look quite silly if I don’t follow through. It’s time to get back on the bike and stop being the sloth I’ve cornered myself into being.. I’m not going to join the crowds of people who are going to make a New Year’s resolution to get in shape. That seems to be the mark of fate to fail. I’m on my 12 hours on/off/on this weekend and then beginning Monday when I wake up it starts. It may be nothing big….but it starts. They say a habit takes 3 weeks to form, so I should be well underway when the New Year arrives.
This will lead me into my next blog on Mountain Biking.
