Inherently lazy?

Or perhaps hereditary lazy....either way I think I have a problem!

I go to bed each night thinking tomorrow is the morning I will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go to the gym, each morning I fail to complete my task. This is a problem I have struggled with for most of my life. Growing up there was no emphasis put on sports or activity of any kind, I mean I was fortunate that we had a pool in the backyard and bikes in the garage so it not that we sat in front of the 'idiot box' as my grandmother liked to call it, but organized, scheduled activity was simply not a priority.

As an adult it became more apparent that I was uncoordinated with little balance so I was not inclined to join up for any kind of sports, then came parenting and even harder single parenting....who had time for something I did not particularly enjoy. The problem is now my babies are grown and have flown the nest and I am still lazy! OK, perhaps I am being a bit hard on me, I am more unmotivated than lazy but the outcome feels the same when one's health is involved.

So how do I motivate myself to get up and move? Overcoming the emotional hurdle may very well be the hardest part!! I have spent a few days doing some research and here are a few of the things that I think may help.

1. Remind myself why
2. Define a goal
3. Start with small steps
4. Make it fun
5. Reward myself

So the why seems pretty obvious. . .  health. There are numerous studies that document the adverse effects of a sedimentary lifestyle and I have beautiful grand-babies that I want to be around to play with for a long time. That takes care of number 1 & 2

I have started doing yoga and I really it. Funny that somehow this does not feel difficult to do as long as I have allotted at least an hour so I can emerge feeling refreshed and ready to face my day. I certainly feel as if I have more energy so I guess this is the small step I need to gain more motivation.

That leaves me with attempting to make exercise fun (afraid I have not found the fun factor yet). I am not quite sure how to accomplish this but while I try to define the fun in exercise I should think about the reward.  I think I may see a new pair of shoes (Fleuvogs perhaps) or maybe a chunky & funky necklace in my future! What kind of reward motivates you?

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”

Zig Ziglar