Exercising on purpose...Even when you don't like it.
by Jorge Cantero
(Mexico City)
EXERCISING on purpose. A complex issue which doesn't have a simple solution. Not easy if you don't like to exercise. But I'll share how I found a purpose for this matter.
FIRST TIP: Fall into de account of the reason or reasons that have kept you passive from exercising.
I am a naturally thin person. I've always been. And for many years I was more than thin, very, very skinny.
Since I can remember I have a very clear memory of my mother standing before me, and in a stern voice, telling me things like: -You're too skinny, exercise!-, And I also remember quite clearly my distaste for exercise ...
I always preferred reading, drawing or writing than undergo long sessions of fatigue, pain and physical exertion.
SECOND TIP: Search for activities you like or may like.
One day, however, I discovered an activity I liked that I didn't knew before. For me, it was: Karate.
I think that's where everything changed for me, because from that point and on I spent the next 10 years of my life performing martial arts, which are physically demanding and tiring.
THIRD TIP: What if you started but then stopped exercising? Search for purpose, not pretexts.
When I gained a black belt in karate I stopped the practice of it, it had a lot to do with me studying psychology, which means I didn't have much time (a common pretext), however, 1 year and a half ago I returned to martial arts, now practicing Iaido...
I can tell you it remains every bit as stressful and demanding as karate was. The essential question is why do I keep exercising?, when I really hate to exercise?, I hate getting tired?, and I hate the pain that sometimes follows the long training sessions?
The answer is simple: passion, and more than that, the purpose behind it.
Sam says in her article: How to stay physically active, -and I truly believe that she's right-, that there is a big reason for getting into constant physical activity: the purpose. The "What-for".
The "what-for" is much more than just motivation. It is the reason behind any activity we undertake, and exercise is no different.
FOURTH TIP: To remove pretexts, search for passion or what inspires you.
Despite the insistence of my mother to do exercise, I never wanted to do weights or running or cycling, because in any way those activities resonated with my life purpose, but instead the martial spirit and Zen philosophy, do.
That's where I found a reason to devote time and space to an activity that fills me with satisfaction, but also brings some pain and sacrifice.
FIFTH TIP: Explore: Which are the two worst reasons to try and get exercised?
In my opinion, the ego and guilt.
1) Exercising to satisfy the ego.
To get rid of the shame of not being sufficiently handsome or attractive, or to give satisfaction to someone else, does not work.
2) Exercising to avoid guilt.
Because of our lifestyle - especially the way we eat and the calories we try to burn - also do not work ...
Do you know why? Because both produce pressure ... and pressure, in no way, is a positive feeling.
SIXTH TIP: Before deciding to exercise leave pressure feeling beside, find the activity, then make it a habit.
If we really want it to become a habit for life, we must find an activity that resonates with our life purpose, with the person we are, individually.
Until we do so, we will make physical activity because we feel "forced" to. And I can assure you one thing: pressure ends up depleting willpower.
Things have to be done because we want to... not because we HAVE to... GREAT PAGE!!! I love it...
Greetings...
J.C.
