How I Made Exercise a Lifestyle. A Realistic Guide How You Can Too.

The is the first post in the Exercise Lifestyle Series.

It’s January 4^th you’re on day four of the new you.  The one that sticks to working out and finally gets the beach bod you’ve always wanted.  You’re keeping your resolution this time.

January 20^th after a couple weeks of really getting into the groove, you are finally feeling accomplished and happy with your progress.  A few days were missed but generally speaking you’ve been crushing it.

February 1^st You say, “I’m going to take a few days off this week.  My body is so sore, I can’t imagine doing more.” That few days turns into a week.

February 8^th You went to the gym yesterday, wow.  One day and it’s like your body forgot all of January.

February 9^th Gym?  You’re tired, your body hurts, you just want to nap and eat all the popcorn your body will allow while lying in bed watching the latest Real Housewives.  You think to yourself, “Friday is so far away and I really need to preserve my energy.”  Girlfriend calls, “Wanna meet up for drinks?”  Without missing a beat you reply, “When and where?”

Sound familiar? 

Yes, I’ve been there.  Yes, I got out of that cycle.  Here’s my story on how I finally got and stayed active and finally made fitness my lifestyle.

It all started with a spark. 

I’ve always known I should workout.  I knew it was good for me, that it would probably make me feel better, and if I was just more consistent, probably get me to my fitness goals (read: abs). 

I started a new job in a new city.  New everything.  I knew there was a gym at work.  Only problem was, I didn’t know how to do anything.

I found a tribe.

Some people at work would do a resistance training routine during lunch at our gym at work.  Yes, I had a gym at work, which TBH did help me start. 

But, what helped way more, was the small group of people I was working out with.  We had our own little fitness group, lead by someone who knew a whole heck of a lot more about training than we ever did.

My barrier to entry was low, but the accountability to be consistent is what made all the difference.

As time went on, we all started to branch off and do our own things.  Following P90X and Insanity were staples at this point when I didn’t scour the web for fitness programming.  That was years ago, before every program became pay to play.

I continued to take a yoga class once or twice a week.  However, I just couldn’t justify spending more money on my health and fitness when I had the work-gym for free.  I would end up taking big breaks on yoga.  Partly because of cost, partly because of convenience.

After three years of working out fairly consistently but not getting the results I wanted, lead me in search of an alternative.

I searched the web for different types of gyms and fitness programs in my area.  I toured a big corporate gym and a few others. 

I couldn’t make a decision.  Would I stick with it?  Would the money be wasted?  Would I even like it?

A friend came to visit me in San Diego.  After talking to him about fitness, my goals, and my struggle to make a decision, he offered to join me for a class (accountability).  This was huge.  Why?  Because the class I was so intimidated to do alone (high barrier to entry) was Muay Thai kickboxing. 

This type of fitness seemed so out of reach for someone who didn’t know the first thing when it came to punching or kicking.  But, there’s one thing I did know, that I wanted to learn so bad.  I wanted to see if it was something I could do.  I still wasn’t sure if I’d like it forever but hey, at least I could try.

So my friend and I went to a class.  We both sucked.  But something inside was lit up.  I got the taste I needed.  With my friend there cheering me on, I bit the bullet and joined the gym. 

It also helped the place was affordable, no upfront fees, and more importantly, no contract.  I could cancel whenever.  On top of that, the gym was close to where I worked and lived.  No long commute or sitting in traffic to or from the gym.  Convenience was key for me.

Something clicked.

Once I joined the gym, something inside me switched.  I told myself I wouldn’t make excuses, I would show up 5-6 days a week.  If I was sore, I’d suck it up and work through it.  If I was tired, I’d go to bed right after dinner.  No. Matter. What. Show. Up.  That was my motto. 

And I did. 

See I set this mindset because I had a clear goal in mind.  I wanted to learn how to do this Muay Thai thing.  This unicorn activity that seemed so unattainable.  And guess what.  Now, I have a roundhouse kick that makes most men jealous.  COME AT ME, BRO!  No, no, not really.  I mean, I do have a ballin kick, but I don’t actually want to fight anyone.

The kick took time, a long time.  And in that time, I made some friends.  Including one truly great friend. 

We bonded as we kicked each other over ex-boyfriends from hell and how much we liked Muay Thai.  It was fun to come to the gym and partner together.  Kind of like bonus hang out time. 

Even more, we held each other accountable to go to the gym.  There were plenty of days I would send her a text, “You going?”  “Yep.”  And just like that, I shut off that voice in my head and sucked it up.

And yes, I was always glad I went

I did Muay Thai for three years before venturing to other avenues of fitness.  Hiking, bootcamp, running, more yoga, and CrossFit.

After years of fitness being a priority, it’s just become part of me.

I can’t imagine my life without it now.  In fact, when I’m about to go on vacation, a part of me is sad I don’t get to go to the gym during that time. I know, I know, I’m one of those weird people.

I thought about my journey and what key points made the biggest impact to sticking with it

• Easy barrier to entry.  Get your foot in the door.  Get past your fear, get out of your head.  Just go try it. 
• Accountability.  Find an #accountabilitybuddy to go with you or make friends at your new gym.  You’ll look forward to seeing them!
• Convenience.  Find something close to your home or work.  Bonus if it’s in between so it’s an easy stop on your way home from work. 
• Affordability.  Every budget is different.  Find something that you feel comfortable spending your hard-earned cash on.  Remember, you are investing in yourself, that investment is always worth it. 
• Mindset.  Find what interests you, make a firm decision to do it.  If an excuse creeps in, smash it before you fully think the thought.  “Indecision is the enemy of progress.” Tony Robbins

If you don’t have a gym at work or a tribe when you start, don’t worry.  You can get the same effect at a group class setting.  There are so many businesses that depend on that problem.  These types of places help you 1 – get your foot in the door and 2 – stay motivated to keep going.

See, if you never get past the soreness, the struggle, the energy slump.  Never find a friend to hold you accountable, go outside your budget or general locale.  The result is, you never realize the true value of making exercise a lifestyle.  Because you’ll give up too soon.  There would be too many reasons to quit.  

Find what you love, create a goal, make it convenient, and most of all, have fun!

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This is the first of a five part series – Making Fitness a Lifestyle.  Check out the next post – The Key to Exercising Consistently – Finding Your Purpose

Comment below – Have you tried to make exercise part of your lifestyle?  What have been the reasons for not continuing?  I’d love to hear your story!

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Disclaimer:  All opinions are my own.  This post is intended for educational, inspirational, or entertainment purposes only.  I am not a doctor, the content on this blog is not intended to be substituted for medical advice.