How To Have a Better Attitude Towards Fitness
By definition the word ‘fitness’ means:
‘The condition of being physically fit and healthy.’
‘An organism’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.’
Whether you want to look a certain way or improve your health biologically, fitness is something that can tackle both.
In a fast-paced world and with many jobs requiring excessive sitting, practicing our physical fitness doesn’t always take precedence. We have long days at work, busy family commitments, and somehow less sleep and more hustle is the norm.
However, fitness can be implemented into any lifestyle. First it’s a choice in the mind, then the body follows the actions to attain whatever fitness level is desired.
Here are 5 tips on how to have a better attitude towards fitness.
1. Figure It Out
Your first task is to actually reflect on why you would ever consider developing a workout routine. Maybe you desire to do something you have never done. Maybe this is brand new for you. Maybe you have fallen off the ‘band wagon’ from your previous routine. Maybe you desire to look a certain way or have a goal in mind for your health. Maybe you want to have more energy.
Whatever the reason may be, it is important to have one. Or multiple.
When we have a ‘why’ for something we seek, that is what keeps us going on the hard days.
Write that down.
2. Don’t Complicate It
Your job isn’t to have everything perfectly planned out. Keep the questions and answers broad.
For example:
Do you want to work out at home? Gym? With a friend? A combination?
How many days per week can you commit to right now? (just a thought: don’t start with anything less than 2)
Do you want a shorter or longer workout (ex: 30-60 minutes)
Do you need a fitness coach or can you figure this out on your own?
Once you have these 3 major questions answered, then you’re 50% the way there.
3. Make it Non-negotiable
This doesn’t mean that you have to be so strict that you only workout certain days and you have to do obscene amounts of cardio.
The hardest commitments to make are with yourself.
The easiest commitments to break are with yourself.
Think about that.
When it comes to ourselves we tend to serve others before we fill our own cup. It’s cliché, but I firmly believe that the people who prioritize themselves first, are better for everyone around them.
When you thrive, everyone around you thrives.
4. Plan For Your Failures
This sounds negative that you would plan to fail but it really isn’t about failing. It’s about understanding your thought habits.
When you can identify the hesitations, reservations or excuses that you tend to make (we all have this), then you can better plan on how to pull yourself out of those slumps
You make an ‘if, then’ statement:
‘If I don’t work out today, then I work out tomorrow + go for an extra walk.
If I’m in a bad mood and don’t feel like working out, then I will take 10 deep breaths and have a dance party in my living room or practice some yoga instead.
The main reason I will talk myself out of a workouts is time. I either don’t have enough of it or I’ll tell myself that I will do it later. When this happens, I catch my thought and I automatically do 10 push ups. Generally, at the end of the 10 reps, I will jump up and do some squats or just complete a few rounds of something. Any body movement.
This makes me feel better about not having a structured workout that day but still being intentional with my movement.
Trust me, it actually works!
5. Keep it Fun
Honestly, this is the best part.
Finding out what type of movement feels best to you comes with trial and error. There also has to be a fun component for it to be sustainable and a behaviour that you want to repeat. Running, dancing, lifting weights, yoga, marathons, a combination of everything… the sky is the limit. There are people who train all year just to run a marathon at Disney. That honestly sounds extremely fun.
You get to decide what fun means for you.
Hope these tips were helpful. Now go get sweaty!
Yours In Health,
Dr. Kayla Lucas