Can’t exercise, won’t exercise

 Can’t exercise, won’t exercise, then walk Instead – your mind & body will love you for it!

I have always hated and avoided anything resembling exercise for as long as I can remember.  However, approaching middle age, I decided to finally crack the weak link in my health protocol and get fit. 

I set myself a goal of being trimmer, fitter and more toned at 50 than I’d ever been before.  Did I achieve it?  The short answer is yes and no. 

Yes, because in a 12-month period I ran both the Paris and London marathon, with several half marathons in between.  As any runner will know, you have to have more than a modicum of fitness to cross the finishing line.  So yes I was fitter and more toned than ever before, but trimmer, no not really.

Let us just say when I was running, I indulged my healthy appetite.  Also, once the marathons were over, I literally stopped.  Consequently, in a short space of time, I undid all my hard work.

What I started doing instead, on a regular basis, is walking (or as friends like to call it ‘stomping’ since I tend to walk fast).

Like many health-seekers, especially those who have struggled with their weight, I have abandoned more exercise campaigns than I care to imagine.  However, since I have taken up walking as a way of keeping fit and managing my weight, I have experienced a shift in my attitude too.  It worked for me and it may work for you too.

The first thing is to reframe the word ‘exercise’ which is easy to do because walking does not actually feel like exercise.  Pick a word that suits you better, such as training, or keeping fit or working out, anything that gets you walking consistently. 

Once you have got a word that works for you, swap your old inconsistent routine for a regular walking regime, and let a whole new world open to you.  Now is also a good time to treat yourself to a lovely journal to jot down all the wonderful new things you are going to start noticing.  Also, having a camera to capture all the miracles of nature you are going to witness.

When you are walking notice your breathing and thoughts.  Afterwards, reflect on how grounded and peaceful you felt from being back in touch with nature.  Watch your self-esteem and confidence grow as you get fitter, which will also make you happier.  Therefore, you will be more relaxed which makes you more fun and attractive to be around! 

When you walk daily, you will stop resisting the routine, you will begin to look forward to it, and you will miss it when you miss it. 

Top Tip make your walking time ‘me’ time and make it of your ‘non-negotiables’.  When you walk daily, you will find you have everything to gain, and nothing to lose – except excess weight and worry!