Take Your Time To Find Your ‘Why’
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Resolution season is upon us
2021 is coming to a close, as happens every time the calendar resets to January, many people resolve to make the following year they finally ‘get in shape’, a nebulous term if one was ever created. While getting in shape is certainly an admirable goal, there are about as many ways to be ‘in shape’ as there are stars in the universe. Let’s take a closer look at what being ‘in shape’ means to you.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re someone who currently exercises or is actively contemplating becoming someone who exercises. Regular physical activity has a host of mental, emotional, and physical benefits. Teasing out which kind of activity and what outcomes you expect from said activity can go a long way in helping you establish and maintain your habit. It all starts with a simple question, why?
Finding your ‘why’ is the most important step, as it directly influences every decision that comes after. I recommend finding 3 reasons why you want to start exercising. Keep it simple to start, no need to get bogged down in the details before you leave the launch pad. I’ll use myself as an example, my three ‘whys’ are getting stronger via strength training, stress relief, and maintaining as much lean mass and healthy body composition as I enter into middle age and beyond so I can continue to be active until the day I keel over.
Notice how none of my reasons were external factors, such as what other people expect me to look like, or how strong I should be. That’s not to say that others’ expectations of you aren’t important, it’s that they should be secondary to what’s going to make a difference in your life. After all, if it’s not important to you, there’s a good chance you won’t do it in the first place. I have two daughters aged 5 and 3, both of whom are exploding with energy from roughly 6 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week. The energy, strength, and stamina I get from lifting weights allow me to play just as hard as they do. Running around our back yard and being the ‘daddy monster’ for an hour makes their day, which in turn makes me feel good because I feel like I’m doing a good job as a father by playing and bonding with my children. There is the added bonus that they’re getting in some movement too instead of watching another episode of Totally Spies. My decision to prioritize my fitness and health has a direct impact on the quality of my children’s lives and my ability to be an active and involved parent. As anyone with children can attest, providing for them is the priority as a parent. Lifting weights and living healthy allows me to do that to the fullest each and every day.
What You Can Do Now To Make The Most Of Your Why Later
Time to take some action, as in right now at this very moment action. Bust out your planner, notes app, or whatever you use to keep track of your life, and write down your three main ‘whys’ for getting active. Remember a few things while doing this
- Focus on your needs and wants in relation to exercise. Making your health and wellness a priority will enable you to be a better partner, parent, friend, and co-worker.
- Tell your partner, best friend, or someone you trust your whys and ask them not only for their support but to hold you accountable as well.
- Set a date, say January 1, and use the time leading up to then to create a plan to put your ‘why’ into action when the time comes.
To conclude, finding your ‘why’ when it comes to exercise is the most important variable. By raising your own tide, the boats around you with family and friends will rise as well. Find your ‘why’, make a plan, and make it a reality.
