Integrating Fitness into Daily Life

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or so many years I have tried the more expected route to fitness by going to the gym and doing work outs. I’ve done it for short periods of time (six months being the longest), but eventually I quit. I do like the feeling I get from working out and prefer feeling fit versus not. The problem I have found is that it feels like one more thing to squeeze into an already too busy life. This actually increases stress which ruins the whole point of exercise and interferes with weight loss (stress inhibits weight loss). Also, if you keep failing at something, it doesn’t always mean to persevere; it may mean it’s time to do something differently.

The second problem I’ve found is that most gym work outs don’t engage my spirit, heart or mind. They are pretty mechanical. This really leaves me uninspired and unmotivated. After struggling with this for so long, I’ve realized that I need to be engaged in as many aspects of my being as possible when I exercise. That also means including activities with my family. If exercise isn’t a whole being experience or a shared family experience, I just won’t keep up with it.

The third insight I’ve had is that I need to find a away to fit fitness in to my life in a way that doesn’t feel like another chore on my list. To add it to things I’m already doing by giving normal daily activities a makeover. For example, doing ten push ups  against the kitchen sink before I do the dishes and another ten when I’m done. When I find myself going up some stairs (because I chose not to use the elevator!), put some extra energy into it. Really move when I get the chance to move. Small things like this that can all add up.

So after decades of trying to get fit and loose weight the expected method of gyms and work outs, I’m giving it all up. Yes, sometimes quitting is the right thing to do! My intention is going to be to fill my day with as much movement as possible. To integrate movement with other needs or activities, including work, the house, time with my son, daily errands, our family activity and even my marriage. I’ve been inspired by a couple of books on this topic: Move a Little, Loose a Lot by James A. Levine MD, PhD and Le Personal Coach,  A French Trainer’s Simple Secrets for Getting Fit and Slim without the Gym by Valerie Orsoni.

My commitment is to choose exercise activities only if they inspire and motivate me, and to integrate lots of movement into daily life. That’s the bottom line. This will be a real lifestyle change, and one that I can stick with and do well into my old age. Follow me step by step as I figure out how to get fit without going to the gym and integrating fitness into my daily life. Follow the beginning of my journey with Part One: Adding Strength Training to Everyday Activities.