Tips to Help You Move into the New Year
Walk, run, ride, dance, press, bend. It’s time to move into the New Year.
Moving everyday is as natural for me as brushing my teeth every morning. It’s a non-negotiable. My day doesn’t go well if I don’t get up in the morning and include some sort of sweat session.
Now, the duration and the type of movement depends on the day. Most days it includes running or biking because, well, I’m a cardio junkie.
Other days it may be a yoga flow or strength session.
I know that intentional movement everyday (exercise, workout, call it whatever you’d like) is not something that everyone aspires to do nor is it something that comes easily to some people.
Believe me, while the workouts come more naturally to me, other things like limiting my sugar intake, meal prep, or taking rest days, do NOT come naturally.
We all have our things.
But a question I get asked a lot is how I stay motivated. How do I get up everyday and workout?
Let me start with this, more mornings than not when my alarm goes off before 5:00AM, a part of me wants to hit snooze or turn it off and just skip a day. BUT, I’ve been doing this for so long now, that I know that once my feet hit the ground, things start looking up.
Most days I recite Psalm 118:24, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
I’ve been getting up early (and going to be early!) for so long that I can’t really tell you how I got into the habit. But I do know what helps me to keep at it, and I want to share a few of those tips with you on how to move into the New Year and keep movement a regular part of your daily schedule.
Plan
It will never happen if you don’t at least start planning for it. Put it on your calendar. Make a training schedule for the week. Lay the clothes out. Pack the gym bag.
Do something you enjoy
I started this post with “Walk, run, ride, dance, press, bend into the New Year.” What do you like to do? I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “But Marsha, I don’t like to run.” I would never encourage someone to run if that’s not what you like to do. Or if you feel like it’s hard on your body. Walking is great. Do you like to dance? Try Zumba or just turn on the radio at home and let loose.
Something new might be just the thing to help you move into the new year and keep moving. #bestyou2018 Click To Tweet
Try something new
Ok, I know I just said to do something you enjoy. But if you’re stuck, or new to this, or have tried exercise before and didn’t stick with it, maybe it’s time to spread your wings a bit. Try something new. Weight lifting isn’t my favorite. But I do enjoy feeling strong and powerful when I lift something heavy. And you know how I went from someone who totally dismissed the benefits of yoga to now doing it every single day? I had to give it a chance.
Something new might be just the thing to help motivate you to move regularly this year.
Go easy at first.
The quickest way to burn out is to expect that you have to do this new thing every day for a specific amount of time. Just move. 5-10 minutes at first. Do enough to feel the positive benefits but not so much that you’re overwhelmed and exhausted by the end of the week not knowing how you could ever maintain this kind of schedule.
Schedule
Pick the time of day that works for you. I love mornings, but if you’re not a morning person, don’t punish yourself. Maybe you have a lunch time that works better or you prefer to hit the gym or go for a walk after work. That might be a perfect time to decompress before getting on with the remainder of your day. Honor your schedule. But be willing to set your alarm a few minutes early if that’s the only space of time you think you can squeeze something in.
Support and Accountability
I can’t tell you how important it is to have someone to cheer you on and hold you accountable. And the key is both! You don’t need a drill sergeant who will make you feel badly if you miss a day but someone who is going to encourage you and ask you how it’s going.
The Faith and Fitness Sisterhood is a great place to find this support. We do monthly challenges that help us stay on this journey of building a healthy life on a firm foundation of faith.
Let your workout become an act of worship
Use this time to pray, reflect, meditate. Give this time some intention. When we view our exercise as more than something on our to do list and something more than just physical results but rather a celebration of what we get to do and what our body can do, we become more committed to the process.
Acts 17:28: “for in Him we live and move and have our being…”
No matter what month of the year or day of the week, today you can choose to make movement part of your regular routine. #getmoving #todayistheday Click To Tweet
So, are you ready to move into the new year…..and beyond?
For ongoing support and faith and fitness inspiration, join my free facebook group and get signed up for my weekly email. Looking forward to traveling this journey with you.
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