How to get your a** up and exercise
Readers share mindset and motivators for movement
What motivates you to exercise? What is your most proud physical milestone? Mine was running a half marathon in 2019, keeping up with the practice of yoga, and I could, at one time, do a whopping 8 pull-ups.
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On Sunday, a few months shy of her 50th birthday, my sister completed her first marathon. I am in awe of her decision to attempt, train, and complete such a physical feat, at half the age of 100. We talk on the phone many days and I recall her telling me about the extremely early time she’d wake up to run, the days she’d train when she was feeling under the weather, how many miles she squeezed in between her job, being a mom and wife, and volunteer work.
As adults, we have busy lives, aching bodies, and plenty of good excuses to not exercise. What motivates us to do it?
Here’s one perspective, from my sister, Jenn:
“I gave myself a very specific goal to run a marathon by the time I turned 50. I don't make good on nebulous and non-measurable goals like ‘get fit’, ‘exercise more’ and ‘lose weight’. Intuitively, we all know these are things are good for us. I never follow through.
I decided to change my approach to goal setting. Not only did I give myself that very specific goal, I said it out loud. By saying it out loud, it made me accountable. I proclaimed my goal to everyone - my family, my friends, my coworkers, and the sales associate who sold me my running shoes. There was no way I was going to back out. I hate to admit it, but the fear of looking wishy-washy, looking noncommittal, and looking like a quitter motivated me to keep running and keep training.”
Good job, sis. You hit your goal!
What else gets our asses up and at it?
In a recent discussion, I asked subscribers what motivates them to exercise. It was a beautiful culmination of reasons. What I love about the responses is that as we ask and allow our bodies to move and be physical, it starts with mindset.
View it as a challenge
Runner and writer, Sian Gibson from London, UK, started running after the first COVID lockdown in the city. In her 30s, she runs a total of about 15k a week and found that running has given her confidence to try new things. She wrote to me in an email:
“Challenge is a motivator for me. I am a person who is scared of failure and often won’t try things to save face. From not asking a question in a work meeting due to the failure of looking stupid to almost not signing up to the ballot for my first and, so far only half marathon, because of that voice in my head that says ‘but what if you can’t finish it and embarrass yourself?’ I’m so glad I didn’t listen as I got a place, finished, and enjoyed it. I am doing it a second time later this year.”
Trust in the good later
When it’s cold, when it’s dark, when you’re under the covers all warm and toasty, do you want to get up? Absolutely not. Then the idea of holding a plank, pumping through push ups, and throwing in some bicycle kicks? Pffff. Yeah, right.
Some are motivated by thinking further ahead — knowing how they’ll feel during the exercise, or afterward.
For instance, my nephew came with me to a yoga class and the following week I asked him if he’d like to go again. He paused so I assumed he didn’t want to go. Then he said yes. I assured him there’s no pressure to go. He initially thought to decline because the class was difficult but he remembered how good he felt afterward and he said yes.
Holding a routine as reason
Others set in an exercise routine to their day and the idea of messing that up is motivation enough to keep the habit going.
However, remember to be kind to yourself. Burnout is a real thing, which I’ve been seeing and reading about a lot lately. If we don’t get to it, that’s OK! One subscriber shared that he is working to try and free himself of the negative emotions around missing days of training. He still holds himself accountable even when there is a legitimate reason so he’s trying to let that mindset go.
Taste test
One subscriber said, “exercise for exercise’s sake - that just feels like a chore.”
I agree. Find some physical activity you enjoy. Who cares what it is. Walking and enjoying being outside is exercise (this one in particular is a must for me as my anti-depressant). Go to a gym. Or attend a workout class, a Jiu Jitsu class, or a dance class. Hire a physical trainer. Or buy a used treadmill or Peloton. Find a free YouTube fitness and yoga influencer like I did. Go on a hike with a friend.
Also if there’s no time, I consider a good whole house vacuum or pulling weeds a workout. Isn’t that how all our mom and dads did it back then?
Gratefulness for today’s strength
One day perhaps we may not be able to exercise or move our bodies the way we wish from a number of reasons, like injury or illness. Exercise and strengthening our bodies to prevent from these issues can be a motivator. Remember that one day we may not be able to move like we do now.
As a mom who has also dealt with major illness, I relate to this comment in my discussion thread, by Jill from Life Litter, “Coming out the other side of a major back injury, I feel so lucky to still be able to do the things I love. Staying strong and not slipping my disc again, and the idea of never lifting my son again, is a massive motivator.”
Great piece Stephanie, enjoyed being part of it 😊
Loved being part of the discussion and then reading the article! Thank you for the shout out Stephanie! Well done to your sister and everyone else, and to you - half marathon?! ... I might get to it one day! All amazing achievements and mindsets :)