Twenty minutes today! Twenty minutes on the treadmill flew by today, and how did it fly by, you ask? Because I didn't worry about how long or how fast I was walking. I just walked, and I made it a leisurely activity instead of a chore. I was also reading a book.
When I first started taking dance lessons I was admonished: "Stop thinking," because like breathing, I shouldn't have to think about dancing. I don't tell my lungs to expand and contract, so I shouldn't have to tell my muscles to move.
I mean, okay, okay, at first I'll have to train myself to move properly. Exercise done poorly is worse than sitting on the couch lazily, but if I stop focusing on the pain, or how funny or ugly I look compared to my trainer.
Have you ever noticed how different people are? Take a walk in the mall, any mall, and look at the people shopping. Not at the people in advertisements, but in the people standing with you in line--look at how different they are. They're probably looking back at you, wondering why you're so put together and they're not. Yup, see, we're not all that different.
We all want results, yes, yes, we do, but instead of thinking about what you could be, or why you don't look or think like the person next to you, first develop who you are.
Maybe you can't read and walk at the same time, or maybe walking isn't your thing- maybe you could listen to some radio theatre while you're exercising, or babysit your neighbor's cat who will probably exercise with you; or exercise with a friend! Misery loves company, indeed! Now you'll have something to talk about with your friends, "Oh! My legs don't want to move."
"Mine neither! ...Should we work out our arms now?"
"Only if you let me call in sick tomorrow."
Hey, today you look great.
For more inspiration, read 7 Reasons to Stop Proving Yourself to Everyone Else. Note it's not 7 steps- it's 7 reasons. You'll have to find those steps on your own.
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