Ever wonder how some people are always motivated to exercise? They never seem to struggle with consistency and have energy for days. It’s like they stay in shape without even trying. You, on the other hand, are exhausted by the thought of it. Staying in shape takes SO much effort. Exercise is a constant source of frustration and stress. You feel like you’ll never be one of those motivated fit folks. What’s their secret??
I was raised in a family where exercise was positive. It wasn’t something you did to “get six pack abs” or to win a race. It was something that was a natural and enjoyable part of life. I was taught that my body was a gift and to be grateful for my health. This allowed me to grow up loving workouts. Exercise wasn’t something you “had to” do, it was something you “chose to do”. Workouts made me feel good and I liked to feel good, so it became an inherent habit in my lifestyle. I’m really grateful to my parents for this perspective on movement. I believe it is because of this mindset that I’ve been able to enjoy an active, healthy, and happy life.
People often ask me what I’m “training” for or what my “secret” is. I tell them it’s my relationship to exercise. I’m consistent and motivated because I workout to FEEL good. It’s through this positive relationship to exercise and perception of how it influences a more powerful life that enables me to live fit, be consistent, and be happy within myself.
I see so many people struggle with a negative relationship to exercise. They feel good when they do it, guilty when they don’t. They yo-yo with workouts or feel lost without an event to train for. They beat themselves up or go to extremes only to end up burnout, injured, or more unfulfilled. They are always looking for the next thing that’s going to “kick their butt into shape” or fix all of their weight struggles once and for all. Focusing only on the external or looking to workouts to “fix you” is setting you up for unrealistic expectations, disappointment, and a lifetime of fighting with exercise and with yourself.
It doesn’t need to be this way. I feel passionately that everyone deserves to have a positive relationship to exercise, one that fuels them with energy, health, and enthusiasm. It shouldn’t have to be all or nothing. You don’t need to fight with exercise or struggle with yourself. Stop doing it to “look good” or to win something. Start doing it to FEEL good and to enjoy your beautiful, healthy body. Do it to ease stress, to challenge yourself, to build confidence and strength. I believe shifting your mindset will help you develop a relationship to exercise that enables you to live a long life fueled with health.
Here are some great health benefits of exercise to focus on:
- Thinking clearly
- Sleeping better
- Feeling stronger to tackle other lifestyle changes
- More get-up-and-go!
- Increased enthusiasm
- A sense of achievement
- Feeling in control
- Increased strength to cope with life’s pressures
- More alert / improved concentration
- Able to relax
- Enjoying ‘me time’
- more energy
- better health
- improved focus
- stress relief
- confidence
- self-esteem
- improved performance (in EVERYTHING!)
- time for yourself / self-care
Additionally, you and I can enjoy the satisfaction that through exercise you’re also reducing the risk of many health conditions like:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Osteoporosis
- Type 2 diabetes
- Joint and back problem
- Dementia in later life
I want to invite you to stop looking at fitness as something you feel you “should do” to look healthy and instead look at fitness as something you want to do to feel healthy. I want to help you develop a positive relationship to exercise and make it an uplifting and rewarding part of your lifestyle. With the right information, support, and mindset you CAN incorporate movement into your life as a regular habit. Fitness is not a destination, it is a way of living. I want to invite you to shift your focus away from external goals to internal rewards. Do this and I can guarantee you that you’ll have a positive relationship to exercise that will be with you for life. That’s my #1 secret to staying fit and LOVING it! What will be motivating YOU to move this week?
Here’s to you feeling your best inside and out,
Caroline
Want more helpful tips to keep yourself fit? Check out my book, Balanced Body Breakthrough and get your mind, body, and spirit in great shape so you can love your life.
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Originally published at www.carolinejordanfitness.com on July 25, 2015.
Originally published at medium.com