“Uggghhh. Cathie, I don’t know about this whole exercise thing. I just don’t see any results”
The frustrated comments I’ve heard from many of you.
You jump in with good intentions and start doing “something” and at the end of the week you want to look like a ripped fitness model. Ok, well maybe not that extreme, but you do expect some pretty serious results in a short amount of time and the reality is, it’s not gonna happen fast.
There are often unrealistic expectations when someone begins an exercise program. I’d say everyone has (some) goal in mind. And if you’re like me, you’ll get going and those goals will be a constantly shifting process based on your abilities, strength and love for what you’re doing.
Whatever goals you have, whether it’s just a basic level of activity to keep your step tracker happy and move some during the day or if you want to train for a triathlon there is a process of evolving that gets you there.
I think, in my humble opinion for what it’s worth, when someone begins some type of program they overlook things that aren’t as obvious as visible abs or their pants getting looser.
Follow me here….
the minute you step out the door to do something, you’re empowered. The sheer act of getting yourself together and taking steps out the door is huge. Once you’re moving that way, you’re gonna do it.
Then, once you finish, I can say with certainty, you’re going to feel proud of yourself that you did do it. You’ll feel that sense of accomplishment and can celebrate a personal victory. And it’s really ok to pat yourself on the back… no one will be there cheering you on when you come cruising in… but that’s irrelevant… you…did it.
Which moves me to how you’ll mentally feel… which is amazing. Will you maybe be sweaty or a little tired or whatever? That’s possible ( don’t overdo it !) but nothing compares to the mental feeling you have of getting it done.
And the more you build on what you do, the better it feels.
Do you see that none of this…. has anything immediate thing to do with instant weight loss or smaller pants? Oh, it will lead there with consistency, but it’s not present when you wrap up whatever physical activity you’ve chosen for that day.
What about how you start feeling when you can bolt up a flight of stairs and not be winded? When you willfully park further out because you appreciate you can walk and enjoy it and that you don’t feel desperate to be as close as possible to front of store?
How about doing activities around your home and not feeling exhausted from doing it?
With time and persistence, intentionally pursuing your choice of physical activity, your body stats changing and responding to what you’re doing.
And guess what? You’ll anticipate it, look forward to it, have a desire to do it.
Who knows what you might learn about yourself in the process? What you’re capable of or what you might be challenged to do ?
I jokingly say I started off as a reluctant walker. 2 miles a day and I was done and off to other things. That was enough, thank you.
Yet, if you know my story, it continued to eventually grow and expand leading me into an eventual runner and taking on everything from 5K’s to a 50K and everything in between.
To now, a cyclist with my sights set on a lot of bigger goals. I don’t limit myself in what I think I can take on.
All because one day, I just committed to walking out the door.
No focus on anything other than “getting it done”. No ab muscles in sight. My pants at that time a bit larger. Out of shape and no where being a fitness junkie. The idea of being a runner or cyclist so far from my mind I’ll tell you it was.. laughable.
Yet, because of my consistency things did eventually change, and continue to, almost as a “by product” of the activities I currently enjoy and pursue.
Guess what? it will happen for you too.
The changes will happen….but first…..
You’ve gotta get out the door.
Tell me have you taken the steps to get more active? Do you expect quick results ? Have you been at it for awhile ? What has been your “by product” of physical activity?
sassyfitnesschick 