Commitment Phobia- The Workout Dilemma
I got a tweet recently and I am asked all the time “how do I commit to a work out?” The truth is you don’t commit to ONE workout. You commit to why you would want to workout. It’s a really good place to start. What do you want to change? How do you feel? I think when you spend a lot of time thinking of reasons not to, you get caught wasting energy on why you shouldn’t, and end up wasting the effort it would take to just get it done. If you can make time to watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, then you can definitely find time to work out.
There was a time in my life where I was intimidated by working out. I almost made fun of people who seemed to always be going to or coming from working out. “Don’t they have anything better to do?” Or I imagined someone running on a treadmill almost as I would a hamster in a wheel. It’s not going anywhere, so what are you getting out of it? Right? But then things started making sense to me. That person I’m judging looks pretty good. They look happy. I imagined that I might look like that if I started doing something.
Maybe you’ve had this conversation a million times with yourself. All you are doing is prolonging the process of getting to where you want to be physically. I believe that once you commit to having a better life, and wanting to feel good about yourself, it feels really good to be strong. I’ve never heard anybody complain about being too hot in a bathing suit. Have you?
If you need some motivators, here are some starting points:
1) What are your goals? Like any situation, you need to have goals to have something to hold onto when you start to negotiate why you’re doing something. Goals keep you on your mark. No matter how crazy it seems, think of one thing you want, and do not stop until you reach that point. You are worth achieving what you set out to do.
2) Give yourself a timeline. I find that bathing suit season or a vacation in a warm climate is a HUGE motivator. Guess what? If you haven’t worked out in 6 months or longer and expect to get back in shape in 30 days, you are screwing yourself. You have to give yourself time to find a routine. Start with a goal 45 days from day one. That’s your minimum. When you get to the 45 day mark, see where you’ve come, and remind yourself that 45 days ago you didn’t do much. Trust me, you will feel better about yourself and want to feel any better!
3) No one can work out FOR you. I know it’s shocking. But if you have a hard time motivating, get a buddy! Get a workout buddy to sign up for bootcamp or an unlimited amount of classes. Make sure that you will show up for your friend. If your friend starts to flake, or you don’t know anyone ready to commit, the simple act of signing up for something specific (like classes) will keep you accountable. I find that when I have to pay for something I want to get my money’s worth so I’ll go do something more often so I’m not wasting money. How many times a week do you need to go in order to get more of a deal? Then do that.
Hopefully these tips will help you. We all had to start somewhere, but doing nothing is getting you nowhere and prolonging your self-doubt. All that money you are spending on new clothes won’t make you feel better. When your body is strong, your confidence builds. I believe everyone has the ability to set goals, and accomplish them. I also believe that the second you get tired of finding excuses and reasons not to, you’ll see that the answer is always there: You are worth happiness and health. Now go get it!
