Busy, Tired, and Bored. Simple Steps to Reduce the Cost of Your Health
- In the realm of health, we see opportunity costs through the invitations we turn down to do physical activities because we simply can’t or are afraid to say ‘Yes!’.
The only thing we can do to see real change is to take action. It’s so simple, and yet, so hard. Why, is it so difficult? Because of the mental and physical obstacles the keep us from the action part.
Let’s take a closer look at three big ones.
I’m busy. If we are honest with ourselves, busyiness is a matter of choices. We each get 24 hours a day to decide how we’ll spend them. And whether you realize it or not, you do have a choice as to how you are going to use those hours. I admit that the thought of losing my house because I didn’t pay my mortgage is a really good motivator to go to work everyday even when I don’t feel like it. And exposing my children to good opportunities despite the exhausting taxi rides across town and back, are sometimes worth the effort and a sense of peace that I have given them the chance to excel at something in which they might be gifted. Going the extra mile is what it’s all about, right?
Working toward a reputation of being a “good employee” or a “good mother” or a “good friend” is certainly worthy of our time and attention. We just need to make sure we aren’t taking it too far. When the cost of being each of those is hurting you to the point of gaining weight, being addicted to sugar or caffeine or even pills, it’s time to step back and assess how we’re spending our time.
I’m tired. Mentally tired, emotionally tired, physically tired. There is more than one way we become exhausted each day due to its demands. And it is easier to go home, plop on the couch and veg out while our brain decompresses. But if this is your pattern everyday, I believe there are better ways to decompress and rejuvenate, and they are worth the effort. Building a healthy habit of walking outside, swimming in the pool, or taking a class, will help revive your mind and your body much more effectively.
I’m bored. If you’ve been exercising on your own, either at your house or in a gym, boredom is near the top of the list of reasons NOT to go. You’ve done that routine before. Many times. And you just can’t talk yourself into going to do it again. Variety is something we need and look forward to. But creating continuous variety requires energy; something we just don’t have some days.
Each of these excuses are legitimate. But they also keep you from where you want to go. And so the mind battle begins:
I need to go exercise, I’m gaining all this weight! But Sarah has to go to practice, I’ve got phone calls to finish, I need to swing by and pick up the dry cleaning, and what about dinner?
I know I’ll feel better if I just go workout… But Vicky just texted to ask if I’d celebrate with her tonight on her new promotion, I can’t say No to that!
Ack! I left my workout shoes at home. Now if I drive home and get my shoes, I’ll be really late to class and then what? OK, I’ll just go tomorrow.
OK, I’m going today. I am. I’m going to workout…. but, it’s raining! I’ve had a lousy day, and I just started my period. Ugh!
I think you get the picture. So, how do we conquer these daily obstacles? How do we overcome the little arrows that hinder our best intentions? Here are three simple solutions you can employ to get beyond what’s holding you back and gain victory over the mind battle:
Just drive there. You know logically you will feel better if you go exercise. Sometimes just getting to the gym is not half the battle, it’s 90% of the battle! So stop analyzing why you shouldn’t go and just drive there. Once you park, walk yourself to the facility even if your mind is still fighting you. If you can just physically put yourself in the room, nine times out of ten you’ll do something.
Pack an outfit. Put your workout clothes and shoes in the car. Even if they’re balled up, wrinkled and thrown in the back seat. You can get water and a towel where you’re going so don’t let that be a reason not to go. Everyone else is mainly focusing on themselves so don’t worry if your outfit is mismatched, just put it on and get out there. Skip the trip back home and all those little thoughts of what you haven’t done yet.
Book an appointment with yourself. Turn your phone on airplane mode during your commute so you’re not distracted by incoming texts and emails. Tell friends and family you have a set appointment and are unavailable until afterward. You don’t even have to tell them who it’s with (especially if it’s just you!).
And one other tip that will help in the long run…
Find a coach. Take the burden off yourself to be your own trainer and just show up. Your coach will have already put in the effort to keep your workouts fresh and effective. However, not every coach is the same, and finding the right one will make the difference.
These simple steps to action in the long term will help save you time: better health= less sick visits and missed work, money: through premiums, fewer medical expenses overall as well as more work days, AND you will be more confident to say ‘Yes’ to those tempting invitations for fun and adventure.
In the meantime, keep moving,
Priscilla
Note: As a fitness coach, it is my highest priority to keep my clients motivated and on track despite obstacles, distractions and just human nature. I work hard to determine what motivates each client and how much grace and truth they need to move forward. We all need a supportive environment to maintain healthy lifestyle and habits. If you are searching for that kind of environment, check out what we do here at CrossFit 1088: Hosted by Blue Wave Fit, where our mission is to bring CrossFit to All Ages. http://www.bluewavefitocala.com
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