When trying to start a new routine that results in better health, often the first thought is that getting thinner and prioritizing vigorous exercise is the best and fastest way to “see results” and “get healthy”. I think this is a huge misconception and most likely what is feeding your cycle of failure and unhappiness. I know that’s what it does for me!
Your journey is not about being skinny – it’s about building a content, healthy life, full of beautiful, fulfilling experiences. Skinny does not equal happy. Exercise is a difficult habit to build, and it may not even be the best way to lose weight!
The biggest problem I see with making your new routine all about exercise, is that it’s creating a roadblock. It’s the hardest part of the healthy lifestyle routine to commit to, and if you’re making that the most important part, it will make the whole thing seem overwhelming. I can’t stress enough that this journey is about the routine and individual choices adding up over time. If you’re making your happiness about getting to the gym at 6 am, you might make it harder to make easier choices throughout the day. Your routine is a list of checkboxes, and you don’t have to check them in order.
When I personally think about becoming happier and healthier, it does mean some sort of exercise, but maybe not in the way you’re thinking. Do you need to go sign up for an expensive gym membership and start working out for hours a day? No! Honestly, I feel the more you incorporate movement into your life, the better your body feels and the less lethargic I feel in my day to day. Try going for a walk or stretching every few hours. Take a few minutes a day to meditate – just finding a place to start. If you don’t workout, or if you don’t workout like everyone else, don’t worry about it! You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to make a change.
Focus on the parts of a health routine that bring you joy. If prepping your food, planning your budget, creating or crafting are what makes you feel complete and fulfilled, do that! Take more time to focus on those things and don’t worry about making your health routine match someone else’s.
