Motivation to exercise – could it be about commitment?

Motivation to Exercise - Could it be about commitment?

Motivation to exercise – could it be about commitment?

Do you find it difficult to start or maintain an exercise program? … If so, you are not alone. Did you know that there is a staggering amount of people choosing not to exercise?

According to the National Health Survey 2011-12, 66.9 per cent of Australians aged 15 years and over are either sedentary or have low levels of exercise.

We know that exercise is a key ingredient to the longevity of our health and wellbeing, so why then are we not exercising? ... Where is our motivation to exercise?

Could the problem we need to address actually be more about commitment than motivation? – As this would mean not just ‘doing’ exercise, but having a commitment to our health, wellbeing and ourselves with the whole of our lives.

Could our choice to not exercise simply be showing this lack of commitment?

Why are we not exercising?

The reasons we use for not exercising are many and varied – from having no time; being too busy; being worried about how we may look and simply not being bothered.

Is it worth, at this point, to stop and consider what your reasons for not exercising are?

When we look at our reasons for not exercising, is it really a matter of just needing to ‘get’ motivated to ‘do’ exercise or even to have a goal to exercise? Most people start an exercise program with a goal in mind, for example to lose weight, to get fit or to have a toned body.

While losing weight and having improved physical and mental health & fitness are often worthwhile outcomes of having started an exercise program, what if your only goal was to see what exercising feels like in your body?

Something then changes. All of a sudden the demands that we place on ourselves by having a goal: “I have to lose weight”, have changed to curiosity: “What does it feel like when I go for a walk every day?” This curiosity allows us to remain open to how our body feels when we exercise, without the need to be attached to a goal.

The benefits of exercising then naturally follow, such as increased energy levels, more body awareness and vitality, improved focus and concentration. This list could go on…

There becomes ‘a natural will’ to want to exercise because it feels good and you begin to feel it as a commitment of self-love. The interesting thing here is that there is no effort or trying as it is naturally how we are with a self-loving approach to exercise. For this reason we continue to exercise, without the need to ‘get motivated’.

How then do you take the first steps to bringing exercise into your daily life?

It’s as simple as starting to move and connect with how your body feels, before, during and after exercise. Notice particularly how you feel after exercise as this will be a reference point. In particular, observe:

  • your energy levels
  • how you deal with things that arise during your day
  • how you sleep
  • your clarity of thought and,
  • overall, how your body feels.

At first you may start to feel parts of your body that you may not have felt for a very long time. That’s OK. Stay gentle with yourself and how you are exercising and continue to feel what your experience is day-to-day, and have fun with feeling how things change.

Allowing for time in your day to exercise is also part of developing a commitment to yourself and your health. Consider that the amount of time exercising is not so important; it’s the fact that you have made time for yourself during the day that counts the most when developing a regular routine. This commitment is easier when you are choosing exercise that you enjoy. Exercise then becomes fun and is never a chore.

Simple tips to start making a commitment to an exercise routine:

  • Start gradually, but regularly and simply – a 10 minute walk or simply standing up and moving a little if you have been sitting at a desk.
  • If it’s been a while since you have done any exercise, be super gentle with yourself as it may feel uncomfortable to begin with as you start to feel your body. As you continue with this approach these feelings will shift.
  • If you walk for 5 or 10 minutes acknowledge and appreciate how awesome you are for considering your body first.
  • Be aware of how you are breathing – are you able to continue to maintain a steady breath through the nose or are you easily puffed? How does your breath co-ordinate with the exercise you are doing?
  • Enjoy being with your body.

Eventually you may find that you:

  • Enjoy the feeling in your body as you move; your feet on the ground, the swing in your arms and the sway in your hips.
  • Smile as you exercise because you enjoy being with you and your body while you move.
  • Enjoy where it is that you are walking or exercising; the sun, the view, the breeze or the company.

As you notice these things you may just start to feel amazing!

This commitment you make towards yourself will benefit your whole life because you are learning something very important — how to enjoy being with your body. This then becomes a natural motivation to exercise. As you gradually build on your exercise program this new level of commitment will support all other aspects of your life because you really are making that commitment to yourself, not just exercise.

Filed under

HealthWell-being

  • Photography: Dean Whitling, Brisbane based photographer and film maker of 13 years.

    Dean shoots photos and videos for corporate portraits, architecture, products, events, marketing material, advertising & website content. Dean's philosophy - create photos and videos that have magic about them.