Habits.
Our personal habits define our lives.
Your habits are what got you where you are today; the good, the bad, and the ugly.
When it comes to movement, habit plays a large role in your success.
As we move toward fall, it is important to create mindful movement habits.
For most of us, fall can mean a busier schedule and less time in the sun.
With that comes less time moving overall.
It’s important for us to create movement habits that will stand the test of time.
1. Pick something you LOVE to do.
People always ask what they should do for cardio…..my answer is pretty simple: whatever you enjoy.
For me, my mindful movement practice served as “cardio” since studies show that the OVERALL amount of daily movement is what plays more into health and fitness than the relative intensity. Science yo.
Do you love to walk? Do it.
Is blaring music and dancing like a starlet from an 80’s movie more your thing? Rock on.
Like running through the woods? Go.
Dig the treadmill? No judgment here, just do it.
Tennis, track workouts, yoga classes, group fitness, dance classes, kickboxing, step class (are those still around?), outdoor cycling, indoor cycling, roller skating (OH YEAH, you can still do it!), rollerblading, Tai Chi, swimming, rowing, hiking, etc. Think outside the box and think about movement that you enjoy.
2. Mark your calendar.
I use an app on my phone to help me bust through my daily TO-DO list. It’s a simple check off type app and I absolutely love it. Every morning I take a minute or two to jot down what NEEDS to be done that day. My movement always makes the list. Why? Because it’s not important if you don’t make it important.
Let me say it again for those in the cheap seats:
Movement is not important unless you make it important!
So, set a timer on your phone, put it on your list, write it on a calendar, whatever you need to do to remind yourself that movement is an important part of your day.
3. Enlist some help.
I’ve been wanting to get a walking group together ever since I watched a YouTube video about a guy who lost almost 200 pounds and he started WALKING. It was just him and friend at first, then it grew.
No matter how you personally feel about people, we need them!
Humans were created for community and we crave connection.
So, invite some friends on a walk or to play a light round of tennis.
Maybe you and a girlfriend check out a local yoga class.
Perhaps you throw up an open invite on Facebook and meet some NEW friends you never would have connected with otherwise.
Having people counting on you helps you be more accountable to your own movement.
Parting tips:
Don’t get too caught up on length of time spent moving. This can often lead us to doing nothing because, well, life gets dog gone busy and we may not be able to squeeze out 30-60 minutes.
Instead, just try to move in some way every single day.
You could walk around your kitchen…..your dogs will LOVE it.
Do a quick stretch.
Walk while talking on the phone.
Walk to your coworker’s office.
Put on some music and shake your groove thing for a song or two.
There are no hard and fast rules here, just move.
Feeling a little lost when it comes to your personal movement?
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