Sometimes the hardest part about exercise is planning when to do it, and what to do. Sometimes it can be such a challenge that you end up not doing it at all because you can’t decide, or you get too stressed over how you are going to fit it in with everything else in your life. We are all busy. We all have 24 hours in a day. We all have to make it a priority, and plan for it. How do I start? What kind of exercise do I like, or what exercise am I going to do? When am I going to do it? How can I possible fit anything more into my already busy life? These are all legitimate questions, and they all can be made easier by coming up with a plan. That plan can begin day by day, or week by week, but it becomes easier if you make it month by month, or even longer. If you have it written down, you have thought about it, and then it can become easier to do.
Once it is written down, it becomes your guide, not your set in stone rule. It is your guide to fitness. Things come up for all of us during the week, or even the day of, that may change your plans, or that you may have to alter altogether. It is ok to make adjustments to your plan on the fly. When you have a plan made out in advance, it is easier to make adjustments for it as well. I plan each Sunday evening what I all have going on, that I know of, for that week. Will it be easier on some days to work out before work, after work, what? If I have this planned out and know ahead of time, it is easier to make accommodations, and I will do it! I have been working out at 5:00 in the morning, and I have been working out at 11 PM at night. It just depends on what was going on that day. Other priorities may have to be done first, and thankfully, I have not had to have too many late night workouts to do just to get them in. I have a consecutive streak of exercise to keep going you know! The point is, it is very easy for something else to come up, and you have to make adjustments. Making adjustments will allow you to keep attempting to exercise, and not just blow it off altogether. The next thing you know, you have done nothing for weeks, or longer. Make it a priority. In the long run, you will be able to organize your time better, and things will fall into place easier. We all have to start somewhere. It does not mean we all have to do a marathon. You just have to get out and move!
There will be times when things get turbulent. There will be times when it would be much easier to do nothing. Of course there are always things that are easier! After all , I have said many times, anything worth having is worth working for. There is no question there will be struggles, and you will wonder why you are even making an attempt to exercise. And then you get in a groove, and everything falls into place, and you feel better, you have more energy, and believe or not, you actually have more time because you have become more efficient!
Jill, Paula, Sarah, and I have plans to do quite a few half marathons this Summer. We are going to take advantage of the nice weather while we can. At the same time, our bodies can’t sustain this kind of intense pace all of the time. We will have to pick and choose how we will do this. We have chosen the Sioux Falls Half Marathon as the one we really want to go for a time in. All of the others will be training runs, just like we do for our Sunday runs. The plan is going to incorporate strength training as well, and overall, we are stressing quality, not quantity. You do not have to spend hours, or run/walk tons of miles, to get into better condition. You do have to be smarter about it though. We will see how far our brains take us on this next adventure. We will be working together, encouraging each other, training with each other, and hopefully all of us will have fun along the way. The back of my race shirt has a quote on that I rely on a lot. “Success–A Journey, not a Destination!” Right on! Have fun on the adventures and trip along the way. The fun is not just the final race or event, or goal you were trying to achieve, but the time spent getting there! That goes for all of us, no matter what our goals our. Set a goal, make a plan, follow it, and enjoy the ride along the way. The adventure is what creates memories! Times in races come and go, but the journey along the way is what matters!
Sarah and I have had so many journeys in our life that involved training that it is just now routine. We are always planning together. Many of the days we are exercising together, but there are days we do not. Our schedules are different. We have to learn to be accommodating to this as well. Make the best of it, and enjoy the ride. Experiences are meant to be had, and to enjoy. Don’t wait for them to happen, but make them happen! When all is said and done, you will be able to look back and tell yourself how much fun you had along the way. I will already say that many of the actual races and times in races I have had I don’t remember specifics on. But, I remember the times I had running with my training partners along the way, the discussions we have had, the fun times we have had. Those are not going away, and that is why I keep coming back for more! That is what it is about. Make a plan…learn to adjust to this as a “guide”…have fun along the way…and see what life has to offer for you! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3889
