Enjoy the Journey

All too quickly, May is coming to an end. We may also say goodbye (I hope) to the frigid temps. This is a great time to kickstart an exercise routine and revamp a stale diet as warmer weather entices us outdoors and brings fresh fruits and vegetables to the market.

Let's talk motivation.

Everyone struggles with it. It's inevitable that our ever growing pile of obligations and responsibilities will eventually forestall our efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Work demands, relationships, children, homework, and illness will rear their heads and demand our time and attention. This is ok. It's life. We take a few days off from the gym, order take out, or lose a few hours of sleep. What's important is that we make the commitment to getting back on the horse and making our health a priority when the crisis passes. Try not to focus on the hours of cardio you've missed or the pizza you had last night.

The only thing that matters is that you keep trying.

Reminding ourselves of the reasons we want to set out on this journey (be it weight loss, disease management, or stress relief) is a great way to inspire yourself and get motivated. The best motivators center around the way a good exercise and nutrition plan makes us feel. We may eventually want to be 5 dress sizes smaller and have buns of steel, but a strong and healthy body will also have internal benefits.

Even moderate doses of exercise increases energy, boosts mood, and helps us sleep.

If moderating stress is your priority, keep in mind that a simple stroll around the block can clear a head fog and put us in a better mood, and research has shown that long term cardiovascular exercise can even help alleviate depressive symptoms.

Furthermore, focusing on the ways in which exercise enhances your life unburdens you from the pressure of perfection. If your goal is to lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks, you may feel discouraged if you've only lost 3 by the time your deadline rolls around. Setting a habits-based goal of, say, walking 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks, sets you up for success and won't leave you with a heavy guilt trip if you have to skip a day or two. It's all about setting goals that don't fixate on perfection, but instead set us up for building a solid foundation of consistent behavior.

Find a way to make it fun.

People are much more likely to persist in an activity they enjoy rather than hate (duh). If you hate the taste of broccoli, don't force it down your throat every day. Give cauliflower a try. Does the idea of trying to run a mile make you want to cry? Take a spin class! Whatever it is, keep trying until you find something you enjoy and stick to it. It will make it much easier down the road to stick to a routine.

Have a clear picture in your mind of what being healthy means to you. 

Feeling confident in a swimsuit, having more energy, managing a chronic disease, getting stronger; whatever your goals are, being mindful of your cause will help you stay energized to keep moving forward. And that's 90% of the battle ;) Get glowing, warriors!