Step by Step

As an Interesting perspective and way for you to start exercising or doing something that you need or want to do, but lack motivation. You can see Christine Carter’s full video and interview here.

I enjoyed watching her video and reading the article on her thoughts and how she got herself to start exercising. I don’t necessarily agree in full with Christine’s perspective if I may. As I always say, different things work for different people. For example, I find that discipline is helpful so when the motivation dissipates, I still keep working on myself and my goals in the down moments. However, I do agree that small steps are better than no steps and are often all you need to get you started on the track. As she says start with a one minute run as she did.

It seems that when a lot of people give advice, and often advice that works, they don’t actually have to practice that advice as they are not in the situation. When they find themselves in a tough situation, their own advice goes out the window and then they have to rethink their whole philosophy.

I have always believed and still do that fitness is not all or nothing. You don’t have to become a marathon runner or Olympic medalist to work on your fitness. Fitness is an important element in self work, health, and wellness. Even short sessions a few times a week works. That doesn’t mean to say you shouldn’t think of pushing yourself or setting big goals, but big goals shouldn’t stop you from doing the small and simple stuff.

This is part of the reason I don’t call myself an athlete no matter how hard I train. Frankly, I’m not an athlete. I work day to day, and simply have included fitness as a part of my life and use it as a life and self-development and improvement tool so that I can push myself and enjoy all the benefits.

Unsurprisingly, it is much easier to stay motivated or keep up with something when you have your day to day routine. This is true especially when your routine is surrounded by external elements of things that are not actually central to your own universe but are rather social aspects. As soon as this changes, we realize how much of our activity depends on others or how we interact with others. Take that interaction away, and our structure can fall apart.

Similarly, we see the opposite side of things as well. When lockdown started many people started working on their fitness because they had more time, had nothing else to do or they needed it for their wellness. But as soon as their day goes back to the way it was, these new habits can fall by the way side.

Either way, it’s important to see fitness as a necessity in living a good life. But that doesn’t mean three hours a day, seven days a week. Long walks, short runs, even fifteen minute circuits a couple of times a week will do wonders for your health and wellness. And better yet, will lead onto better things, stronger training, bigger fitness and life goals, achievements, and experiences. Bit by bit.

The journey always starts with one small step.