I’ve been spending so much positive time and energy with my nutrition these days, but I’ve neglected to also focus on fitness. My excuse is that I’ve been too busy and unmotivated. But while picking and choosing the aspects of health that are most convenient will work for a while, its not the way to wellness. The way I see it, nutrition without fitness is like putting premium gas in a car with bald tires…eventually you’re still going to get a flat.
My biggest challenge with incorporating a healthy exercise regime into my schedule is time. Of course! I’m sure many of you can relate to that. With my commute and work and shopping and cooking, then digesting and reading and spending time with my significant other, where can I fit in fitness? I’ll tell you where…in the morning, before I do anything. That’s how it works for me. And if I’m diligent and committed, I’m okay. If I give myself even a little bit of slack, I’m bound for laziness.
Waking up earlier than I have to is the key to my success, and the hardest part. I really have to drag myself out of bed in the morning. Not because I can’t do it, just because I don’t want to. My covers are warm and my pillow is soft, much more forgiving than the cold, cruel world. But alas, I am an adult, and my days of sleeping in need to come to an end. There’s just way too much a.m. daylight that I’m missing.
I made a commitment to myself this week that I would start waking up earlier than absolutely necessary and that today I would re-visit my yoga practice. So, bright and early, 7am, I was up and ready to stretch!
I found a free demo video from Myyogaonline.com. I’m seriously considering buying a year membership to this website. It’s only $9.95 a month. That’s cheaper than a yoga class. This 12 minute video was just what I needed to get started. I continued with another 1/2 hour or so of my own routine and I feel great.
Here are just a few of the benefits I experienced from yoga in the morning:
- reduced muscle stiffness and joint compression that occurred during sleep
- an awakening of the senses and the ability get my mind going without caffeine
- a feeling of calm and rejuvenation.
Take some time to examine the challenges you’re facing in regards to fitness. Are you busy like me? Is it a financial reason? Are you injured? Are you just not sure where to start? I hear a hundred excuses everyday from patients who want to be well but can’t seem to overcome one major obstacle, themselves. You are the only real thing standing in your way. Of course time and money and injury are factors, but those can easily be overcome with a little initiative and creativity. If you want to grow, you can and you will. Sure you may need to modify, but you are always capable of trying and with a little effort you can be even more than able. You just have to start with the basics.
For me, it’s yoga, then I’ll advance to running. I may even buy some roller-blades. For you it could start with a walk around the block and some light-weight bicep curls. Before you know it, your new routine will be set and you’ll be cruising along on your own path to wellness.
Namaste