All you need to do to in order to finish a marathon or an Ironman is to take that first step! Well, no, not literally but figuratively! It all begins with that first step; plunging yourself into the unknown abyss that is your new journey. The same can be said for any other health or wellness goal.
Now if you have ever accomplished anything (which we all have), then you’ll know that it takes a lot more than just the initial commitment to the goal you have. Every journey has a beginning and there is always meaning behind the journey. Keep in mind the reasons you started and why you need to keep going. It will motivate you when the going gets tough.
Every great story has a strong ending. What would a journey be without an end? Often times, we rush to complete our goals as if every single one of them was a race. We crave that ending to come swift and sweet. Focusing on the end being your reward dilutes the reward of the journey itself. If you see your end goal in site, keep pushing toward it. Be patient and don’t force it. Otherwise, there is no joy in your journey!
We can talk all day about endings and beginnings, but the middle is the most important part! I mean, who orders a sandwich just for the bread, am I right?
Enjoying your journey is the most crucial part in forming a habit! If you liked doing something, you are bound to do it again at some point. For example, have you ever eaten at a restaurant and said afterward “I loved the food and I will never be back here again”? There may be workouts that are more enjoyable than others and there may be days where you feel better than others, but remember that is only temporary because you can choose to have the next one be better.
With that said, I’d like to share a couple of my favorite techniques on how to enjoy your journey!
Stay in the “now”: People get lost in looking forward or looking back. Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift - that’s why they call it the present!
Focus on your five senses: Seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, feeling, they are all important. More importantly, focusing on one of those directs your thoughts elsewhere!
Have a workout mantra: Negative thoughts impact your performance or how you feel during exercise. Have a positive mantra in your head for the day so when you encounter a negative thought, you instantly redirect your brain back to your mantra.
Change it up: Feeling like you’re in a rut? Changing a small thing may make the difference. It may be music, clothing, or food, but try something different and see how it goes!
Dance: There’s a reason why we play music when we exercise, it makes you want to move! Dancing, in almost every scenario, has a positive affect. Meaning, there are little to no situations where you are dancing sadly or angrily, it is an intentionally happy form of physical expression!
Journeys begin with a first step and they end with a sense of relief or accomplishment. What happens in between is certainly up to us and our ability to make it count. Taking care of our health and wellness is a happy thing, there should be joy involved! Find what gives your journey joy and then get it done, beginning to end!
If you’d like help setting and achieving your health and wellness goals, please contact Jack Zahn at jack@trifitnesswbl.com to set up an appointment.