I'm sure that when you saw the title of this post, you almost immediately thought of Nike. Of course, if you didn't, I'm sure you're thinking of them now. I've always thought this slogan was a little harsh. It felt like it was telling me I wasn't doing enough, that I needed to go out and be elite. After all, most Nike ads and commercials include dark coloring, a bright pop of whatever product they're trying to sell, and a model-athlete who looks fit and "sweaty". What if I told you, that this slogan can encompass pretty much everything about health and fitness? Would you believe me? The hardest part of being healthy or getting in shape is the very first step: doing it. I can't tell you how many times I've told myself, "I'll do it tomorrow." or "I'm just not feeling it." There are SO many excuses and habits that we fall prey to. From stopping at that fast-food place or store for a quick snack on our way home, to staying on the couch because we're tired rather than moving our bodies, the excuses are endless.
When we start convincing ourself that getting healthy is "too hard" that we need to "satisfy our cravings" or you're "too tired," this is when we need to re-engage with that slogan: Just do it. For example, let's say you've made an appointment with a Personal Trainer or signed up for a class at your local gym. It's your first or second one, you're not used to the person or working out yet, and you're nervous. Your first instinct is to cancel the appointment, you don't want to feel uncomfortable for an hour. However, it's only an hour of your life (you have plenty more time in the day, I promise), it's completely normal and totally ok to not be comfortable at the beginning of something new, and you'll feel so much better if you just do it. Let's say you've been ebbing and flowing between starting to eat better and not eating well at all. You're used to stopping for some french fries and a coke on your way home from work or school, it's tradition and you don't want to stop. You're supposed to be eating better and said you'd start today, but you really want your snack and can start tomorrow. The afternoon is one of the prime times for people to eat a little too much and to fall into old habits. We're tired, we've been through a day, and we just want some comfort food. However, if you consistently changed your snack from french fries to at least a cup of air-popped popcorn or a whole-wheat pita pocket and hummus and a sparkling water (try a vegetable instead if you're feeling ambitious), you'd get into the habit of having that at the end of your day, and you'd be putting a product into your body that would energize you rather than slow you down. This one change could even help in weight loss, especially if you've got a lot to go. You said tomorrow yesterday, just do it. Change is scary and takes you way out of your comfort zone. However, if we're comfortable all the time, we don't learn anything and nothing can change for the better. This is why support is so crucial from both people around you and from yourself. Tell the people in your immediate circle about your goals. Tell them what you eat (even the things you try to sneak), and stay accountable to them. If you're honest with them, they'll be honest with you and will tell you when your food choices aren't the best, or if you need to go to the gym that day. Then, keep yourself accountable. When you fall into your bad habits or your excuses, tell yourself to just do it. Imagine how much positive change you'll make, how much energy you'll have throughout the day, how much longer you'll live, how good you'll feel when your jeans are looser on you or when you stop having medical problems, if you put your mind to it and just do it.
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AuthorElena B. Archives
June 2020
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