What's the right way to be active for YOU?

How does your body feel when you move? Do you have aches and pains in the morning, stiffness in the evening, trouble getting off the couch or reaching overhead? Or maybe you feel disconnected from your body, uncomfortable in your own skin.

These feelings are more common than you may think in our modern society. And you may feel anxious about addressing them, unwilling to join the masses at the newest health club and unsure of what to do if you did go. “My personal trainer told me to do this routine…” “I saw other people doing this at the gym…” 

But what’s the right way to be active for you?

It’s time for a new approach to fitness.

Standard routines for standard goals based on scientific standards – all of that can be useful up to a point. But you are not a “standard” – no one is. You are a unique person with a unique combination of personality traits, likes and dislikes, abilities, and emotions. You have your own career interests, home decorations, daily habits, etc. So it makes sense to have your own fitness routine, too – finding health through movement in a natural and enjoyable way. 

If you are overwhelmed, frustrated, or starting to panic – stop and take a deep breath. It’s okay. This isn’t an easy process, especially with the constant bombardment of societal pressures. It helps to break things down into steps. Take a look at these key ideas that can help you begin your own fitness routine. Then start with one step – just one – and let the rest go. Once you have that first step down, start thinking about your next one.

1. Do What You Enjoy – So You Can Enjoy What You Do 

   

If you don’t enjoy something, you won’t want to do it on a regular basis. So if you don’t like running, don’t make running part of your fitness program.

Brainstorm some activities that you enjoy doing. Let go of any preconceptions about what you “should” be doing or what other people think you need to do. There are no rules or judgments here – be as creative and daring as you want!

Whatever your favorite activities are, build your routine around that. For example, if you like to take walks, then make walks the focus of your routine.

Next, include additional activities in your routine that supplement or help you perform your main activities. A complete walking routine may include stretching and core exercises to prevent injuries and improve your ability to achieve your walking goals. A fitness trainer or coach can suggest exercises to meet these purposes. Pick exercises you enjoy doing – so you can continue to enjoy what you do!

2. Consistency Is Key

There are lots of ways to vary and progress your routine to push you closer to your goals. Between reps, sets, weights, speed, time, exercise variations, and rest periods, program design can become overwhelming in a hurry.

So don’t let it be. Instead, focus on the first and most important element – consistency. When you are beginning a new routine, the exact details of what you are doing and how well you are doing it are less important than making that routine a habit. Once the habit is ingrained as a natural part of your daily schedule, then you can focus on the details.

Start by just doing some kind of activity every day. Take five or ten minutes for a quick walk or stretching break. Do five minutes of weight lifting after breakfast or before dinner. On days when you don’t feel up to your best, allow yourself to take it easy but keep that time for activity. The “bad” days may be more prevalent at first, but with consistency, the number of “good” days will increase.

You may even surprise yourself. Some of the days I thought would be “bad” turned out to be great once I got moving!

3. Start With One

No one starts with a set of fifty push-ups or an eight-minute mile. Even bodybuilders started with one rep, one exercise, one workout at some point in their pasts. And whatever your goal is, that’s where you start too – with the first ONE.

If walking is your goal, then start with the first walk, or even the first step. After that first step, then you can think about the next one. Focusing on all the steps you need to take to complete the walk, or all of the walks you need to do to reach your goal, can cause immense frustration and leave you feeling like the task is impossible. Sitting back down on the couch will become the much more attractive option!

So make “start with one” your mantra. Let go of the idea of a second, third, or tenth whatever-it-is-you-are-doing. All you need is one at a time. Living in the present will never feel as great as it does here.

If you find yourself getting stuck, we can help. Talk to our Total Health Concepts counselors and coaches about our fitness coaching program. Fitness coaching can help you identify your goals and barriers, develop realistic strategies, reconnect with your body, and find personal enjoyment in activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Take the first step forward and contact us today – we are here to help you move through life with happiness and fulfillment!

By Jennifer Stanhagen
Jennifer is a fitness trainer and wellness coach with Total Health Concepts, LLC.  She also works as a freelance writer and group fitness instructor, where she earned the nickname "Bootcamp Jenn."  You can contact her at jennifer@totalhealthconcepts.net.