From Chore to Choice: Simple Ways to Get Started

We often see living a healthy lifestyle as a herculean task or as a chore we should complete, but don’t really want to. This way of thinking allows us to make excuses for why we can’t do anything. Common rationalizations people use to avoid starting a wellness regimen I’m sure you’ve heard:

I’m so tired with work and family responsibilities… 
If I had the right shoes or equipment I could workout, but…
I want to eat healthier but I don’t have the time/money…

One thing I know for certain is that being unhealthy takes up a lot more time and money; so we have a choice to make.

I challenge you to reframe the way you see health and wellness. Instead of saying, working out and eating well is something you have to do, tell yourself it’s something you get to do.

Best of all, it doesn’t have to be complicated! Too often we believe we need to start out running marathons, lifting hundreds of pounds, or only eating celery sticks to see results. That’s just not true!

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” This quote from the late tennis champion, Arthur Ashe, speaks to the power of getting started–no matter where you’re starting from. Here are some ideas for ways to get started:

Set an appointment with yourself: literally just that. Set a calendar appointment just as you would for an important work meeting or doctor’s appointment. You are your greatest asset and you deserve to set time aside for tending to your needs. It can be 15-20 minutes a few times a week where you go for a walk, stretch, or meditate.

Make it fun: studies show the influence of working out with other people is helpful for motivation and staying consistent when looking to reach a fitness goal. So join that fitness class or run/walk group in your area.

Drink up!: you’d be surprised how much better you feel and perform when you’re properly hydrated. Set a timer on your phone if you have to and take a few sips of water every hour. Your skin, joints, and internal organs will thank you!

Above all, know that the choices you make today will impact how you feel tomorrow, next week, and next year. Give your future self something to be happy about and start now!

Yours in health,
Coach Drea