Most of my friends and colleagues would consider me to be athletic and reasonably fit. I would say that among my fellow Boulder, Colorado residents I am nothing more than average. It’s a fit place! Believe me! I was walking to my car this evening after Back to School Night for my Daughter’s first grade class. I was with two friends; one was a former Olympian from the 2002 Winter Games and the other was a professional cyclist who recently placed second in a race to Lance Armstrong. Along with knowing a lot of fit people I’ve also done my fair share of crazy athletic activities including adventure racing, backcountry skiing, ultra-marathoning, cycling, and an occasional appearance in the octagon as a top-ranked cagefighter. Okay…the cagefighter thing I made up but I’m still young…sorta!
At any rate, because of my background in some of these sports I tend to have quite a few friends and business colleagues approach me for advice on "how to lose weight and get back on track" with their health. I had a recent conversation with a good friend and he said the "toughest thing about getting to the gym or exercising is getting your shoes on." I couldn’t agree more because there are days when I can’t bring myself to unroll my yoga mat but once I do then I’m good-to-go. It’s about the momentum.
Do you want to know the biggest mistake that I see people make with regards to starting an exercise program? (Sure, Joe, you bet we do.) The biggest mistake is that we make it TOO BIG OF A DEAL! We think we need to have goals, objectives, a private trainer, a gym membership, and a complete exercise program. These are all great things. However, your health and wellness is really about making one good decision at a time. In other words, chunk it down to making one decision today to do something healthy and good for your body. Start with the decision to tie up your shoe laces or to unroll your yoga mat. If the goal of doing a triathlon in 3 months seems daunting then make your goal to just ride your bike today. It’s just one decision and it’s one that involves the present moment not something in the future.
What’s one healthy decision you can make for yourself today? Perhaps it’s to go for a walk or choose a salad at lunch. Perhaps it’s to go out and ride your bike for 75 miles or practice chair yoga. Or, perhaps it’s the decision to put on your workout shoes and see what happens next!
I couldn't agree more! Well said my friend. Pretty soon that one day adds up with the next, and then the next and then the next thing you know, you're in shape for a triathlon. I just love that!