Exercising is like meditation for me.
It can be anything but that one hour I spend is the most blissful part of the day.
It keeps changing as per the season. The existing choices are between running and yoga. Recently I added swimming and I’m loving it.
If I miss a day or two, it’s okay. But if I miss doing any form of exercise for a prolonged duration, like a week or fortnight, then I feel something’s missing.
Don’t you feel like this? I’m sure most of you don’t. That’s because exercising isn’t a part of your day. It’s more like a fad or trend. And believe me you’re not alone there.
It’s not like you don’t know the benefits of exercising regularly.
You know the benefits. You know how it impacts your health, mental and physical. Yet making it an essential part of the daily routine takes a lot of effort.
Why?
Because it needs commitment, focus, effort, dedication and persistence.
Who wants to do all of this when you can comfortably catch up a few more snoozes in the morning or binge watch after work.
But ask yourself – what are you gaining by ignoring your health? Other than your weight and a few lifestyle ailments, nothing else.
Then why not make an investment in yourself? Health is wealth. And today is the best day to start. You certainly don’t want the next doctor’s visit to be your wake up call.
Contrary to all the glitzy images everywhere, exercising need not be restricted to the high end gyms with the expensive personal trainers or trending sportwear. All it needs is your time and effort and focus.
Consistency is the key.
From taking a break longer than it took me to finish the lap, I can now do a few laps without a break. And it’s taken me a few months of dedicated efforts to reach here.
And of course, I provided enough entertainment to my kids who enjoyed watching my struggles at learning new techniques. It’s ok I guess as long as I’m moving forward and reaching my goal.
Finally, the bedrock of happiness is eating well, sleeping well and exercising regularly.
A simple 3-prong action plan for healthy life.
Keep yourself hydrated. Start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Maintain a balanced diet. And be mindful about what you eat. Of course, cheat days are included.
Get your ZZZs. Sleep deprivation can impact your physical and mental health. So don’t ignore it.
And finally, stop making excuses for not exercising. I know about the busy life, late hours, long commutes. But you have to exercise to offset the negative impact of these stress inducers.
Join a runners club or yoga class or some activity group. You’ll enjoy the company of like-minded people who will keep you motivated and accountable.
Make a pact with yourself to try it for a month. The positive changes will keep you motivated.
If not for yourself, do it for the children. They are watching you, learning from you. It also will create a healthy mindset in the house when you’re able to do some form of physical activity together as a family.
Show them you care for yourself as much as you care for them. Getting them into the habit of exercising or engaging in sports or some physical activity from the beginning will ensure they grow up healthier, develop a positive mindset, learn about teamwork, commitment and resilience.
It’s a win-win for all. Think about it but not for long and jump in.
I would love to hear about your health and exercise journey.
And before we go, dont forget to check out the latest book.
This book promises loads of action as you read each story along with your child or your child reads it out to you. And then gets inspired to try out the delectable recipes suited for the young cooks.
“Cooking Up Stories With Little Chefs” is available on Amazon.in, Amazon.com and Flipkart
