It is 7:30 pm on a Monday night…and I let out a sigh…as I get ready to go to my workout at 8pm.  Some days I have zero motivation to exercise, and it takes everything within me to get in my car and drive myself to my workout.  As I was struggling with wanting to go, I think to myself, what is this really about? Am I too tired? Then I realize even if I am tired, it sometimes is just an excuse or a way for me to get in my own way and stop me doing the things that are good for me.

Exercise as a Journey

Exercise has been an up and down journey for me.  There have been years in my life where I had no desire and made no time for exercise, and then there are other years in my life when I value the benefits of exercise.  Recently, I have started a fitness routine that has pushed me out of my comfort zone and have seen amazing benefits – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Benefits and Reasons to Encourage You to Exercise:

• Positive Vibes: Any exercise or physical activity increases blood flow, heart rate and releases endorphins – which will raise your energy level and release positive feelings in the body.
• Mental Health: if you experience depression, anxiety or panic attacks – exercise can be key in easing some of these symptoms you might be experiencing.
• Lifts You Up When You’re Stuck: physical exercise can help move things along.  If you are unclear of a decision you need to make, what you would like to do next, or need motivation to take steps in your life – I recommend starting and sticking with an exercise routine.
• Inner/Outer Strength: I have found a correlation with the strength you feel or knowing you get of what you are capable of with exercise – and how this can reflect to other aspects of your life. And a knowing of the strength that you have within you to conquer other areas of your life such as a fear.
• Determination: decide within you what motivates you to exercise, and then remember this each day that you set aside the time to take care of yourself through exercise. I recommend to write down a few quotes or a few mantras to have on the wall or recite them in your head. This could help to give you an extra push. Remember your end goals, and importance of exercising to YOU.
• Take Your Mind Off Worries – our mind can easily race with so many thoughts, stressors and emotions. By exercising, you are focusing on that one thing you are doing, and your body is releasing tension through exercise. This can help you process and move forward with whatever might be on your mind.
• Social Interaction – if you want to get out and meet more people and surround yourself with those that have the same interest as you – join a class and motivate each other. You never know what could come of it. Like this beautiful story of deep friendships that started around a common desire to exercise.
• Gain Confidence:  I have experienced that by continuing to do an exercise routine and improving – seeing the difference and changes – that I see my potential and strength – and I gain an inner knowing – a confidence that I am capable of doing whatever I set my mind, body and soul to.
• Stretch Yourself:  You don’t know what you are capable of until you try. Set goals for yourself, don’t underestimate what you are capable of, or what is important for you to accomplish.
• You Have the Power: “All the power that ever was or will be is here now.” This spiritual truth leads us to tap into greater resources of our potential. When we push ourselves physically, we learn more about who we are as humans, as spiritual beings here in the physical world.

Pushing Past Your Resistance

If you come up against major RESISTANCE like I did that Monday evening, 30 minutes before my workout was scheduled to start, I recommend making a list like this for yourself. WHY you choose to bring exercise into your life. I recommend taking it deeper than just to look or feel good (although that can be a great motivation too).

Create your list and keep it in a visible place to refer back to it when you feel blocked. Like anything else, a regular consistent practice is the key to seeing benefits. When you feel resistance you need to find a way to reconnect to your motivation and why you started in the first place. Your  body is a gift, and by taking care of it you are honoring yourself and setting a strong foundation for body, soul, and spirit to thrive.