Hills offer many challenges to runners and walkers. When we were out in the Hills over a year ago, there was never a shortage of hills to go up. One thing I learned…hills don’t go away, they wait! So you need to think of hills as mounds of opportunities. They are tough, just like things in life are. But, it goes both ways. When the struggles go up, they eventually have to come down, just like hills!
And right now, we need all the attitude change, and mood improvement, that we can get. These last 2 weeks with the arctic temperatures made exercising very tough. I was indoors for over 2 weeks, either on the bike, elliptical, or the treadmill. I would much rather be outside. There is so much more to see to take your mind off of things.
The walks get tough in the evening when it is so cold out. I have to drive first, then go take pictures because you can’t stand being out for very long with what we have had recently. Do you have to make modifications? Yes! Can you still do some of those things outside you like to do? Yes, but you have to be better prepared. Better prepared physically, and mentally.
Any one who exercises knows you have to put in the work physically. It is the mental training that is tough. You have to prepare your mind to handle anything…your mood, the temperature, all of the other stress going on in your life. Coach Godfrey in town here always taught my kids when they were out for Cross Country and Track, that competing is 90% mental, and the other 10% is in your head! Wow, how true is that! If you can get past the obstacles in your own mind, then you are well on your way to moving!
You have to dig deep inside. It helps when you have a training partner. That is another reason why these last few weeks have been so tough. Our run club has not been meeting to go for a run because of the really cold temps. It is time to back at it again! It is always easier to exercise with somebody else. When you do, you help motivate each other, and then it is not such a battle. Push each other besides yourself!
Regardless of the time of year, and where you live, you still have to put one foot in front of the other! Don’t make excuses! As I have said many times, you have to get out of bed, get out the door, and get moving! Be creative, and do what you enjoy more. You can’t say that you won’t do anything, because that is just another excuse. At least do more of something you like to do, and many times the rest falls into place. We are almost done with February, and the first day of Spring is March 20! We are getting closer. We can make it! Motivation at times is a battle, but it is definitely an inside job. You have to take control. You have to push yourself. You have to do the work. But that does not mean you have to do it without help. When we are all able to get outside, take advantage of it. This weekend, and the early part of next week is supposed to be upper 30’s to low 40’s! That is about a 70-80 degree shift in temperature for the positive. So be positive about it and get out!! Especially if you go out in the mornings, or wait until evenings when the temperature is even better, you never know what you might see!
Be positive. If you are positive, you make other people around you positive! Lead the battle of motivation! Keep trying, because life in general can be a battle. Continue to work on coming out each day victorious! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of New Streak: #693
