One of the hardest challenges most modern workers face is finding the time to get the exercise our bodies need to perform optimally. Many of us are working a desk job or in some other low movement environment. All of the technological gains that enable those jobs have extended our work hours longer than before our “digital deliverance.” Many of us have a spouse and/or kids that need us to be present. And then there is the ubiquitous “side hustle” that many take on either to make ends meet or expand their skills. All of this stacks up against our best intentions and fights to keep us engaged in other less physical activities.
And time isn’t even the only factor that’s pushing against us, I’m sure we could come up with a lengthy list with considerations like cost, injury, and even the Summer heat (us South Texans know that this can be especially punitive). So what is a person supposed to do?
- Start where you can. The first regular exercise I started after my Type 2 DS was taking my dog for a lengthy walk early in the morning before the temperatures rose. (This was not only great for me but Sunny benefited from it as well.)
- Consider it an investment in yourself. Many times the idea has crept in my mind that I should just cut it short or skip a day. When that thought presents itself, I reply back that I am not going to short-change myself. I wouldn’t act that way towards anyone else so I’m certainly not going to do it to myself.
- Get back on the horse ASAP. So you missed a day (or two or three)… Don’t beat yourself up by downing a full can of Pringles. Get back to the routine you know is providing you results as fast as you can. I had a discussion with a lawyer a number of years back on a tax issue where the company I had worked for had been calculating the taxes to collect wrong. We didn’t know what to do. His advise was “Start doing it right from today. Each day you continue to do it wrong only extends your liability.” I’ve taken that to heart and applied it to many things. I know that extending my bad behavior because I’ve failed only extends my liability (and belt size).
Be sure to check back next Wednesday when I share the second action I took to get more exercise. It excels while taking into account the factors of time, cost, outside temps and more!
P.S. This is the first post in a theme I’ve planned called Work It Wednesday. I plan to post against a different theme each weekday and at least once on the weekend. Check back often and share with others working to take back control of their body!
not2long 