A New Goal:

Posting a blog article on a daily basis. Another nurse blogger who’s well-known in the blogosphere took some time this weekend to talk with me. Thank you, Joni with NurseTopia. Your work inspires me to keep on writing!

So not exactly sure how this will get done… my to add another thing to the ‘list’. But I do love to write and I am committed to finding something to post about that is uplifting, inspiring, energizing, fun and informational on a Monday through Friday basis. Here we go…

A Confession:

I have not been exercising. Well, not ‘at all’ but not nearly as often as I would like. In fact, I feel weak and flabby. Not fun.

I’ve run a few times this month (when it’s not below 30… which hasn’t been too often!); I’ve lifted weights a few times (and felt totally sore and useless after from not doing it as I used to); I’ve been away from my Yoga practice (oh, how I miss it and am sad about that).

The Guilt:

The more I don’t work out the guiltier I feel. Can you relate? And then each new week I say to myself, ‘This week I’m going to do it. Exercise three times this week. I am’.

Then when it doesn’t get done I feel even worse about myself.

Oh the vicious cycle.

A Fresh Perspective:

Instead of looking at the week and thinking to myself, ‘this week I will exercise’ I am approaching this in a new way. Here are 3 tips that I am using, that you may want to reflect on too. Will any of these work for you? To help you get that routine you keep putting off up-and-running?

1. Feel the Benefits. I know how great it feels after a work-out. I’ve felt it many times before. So strong. The blood is pumping; energy is flowing. I feel aglow. I feel so alive. And best yet, I feel much, much younger! Reminding myself of this feeling gives me more of a desire to get it going again…
2. Take it One Day At a Time. Instead of saying ‘this week I will work out three times’ I am going to wake up each day and look at my agenda. How much work has to get done? Am I doing something with my husband? Is it time for a creative project? Am I doing something social or fun? If I see the time on my calendar, I will put it on. No more of these goals that don’t get done. Just another way to make myself feel badly. Instead, taking it one day at a time gives me a conscious choice in the moment.
3. A Conscious Choice. Step number two leads me nicely to this step. It’s a choice. I can choose to sit and watch TV with my husband or I can get off of my ass and get in the workout room. I can choose to work on my book, writing all night or I can choose to get back on the Yoga mat. I am taking it one choice at a time. And choosing to take care of myself, mind-body-and-soul!

Finally, it IS winter. I am hibernating. It’s OK.

I am a nature girl. I am a sun-worshiper. I love being hot. I love the heat.

Deep down I know that this is just another phase of my life. Like the cycles of the moon, I will get back on the exercise wagon again. And not beating myself up about it… well, that feels really, really good indeed.

How about you? What are you beating yourself up about and how can you let that go? Are any of the steps above helpful to you? What have you been putting off and making yourself feel badly about it? Let’s hear from you!