Fitness is not my job.
I’m not a model. I don’t get paid to post gym selfies or get sponsored by Nike, LuLuLemon or runDisney. I don’t make money off my blog. Working out is something I fit into my life, somewhere between motherhood, homeschooling, writing, and running my household.
So is it really a wonder that I’m not meeting my fitness goals?
I’ve been struggling for years to make working out and wellness a priority in my life, and I’m beginning to think that the core of the problem is that I consider it a dispensable part of day. And it shouldn’t be.
Being healthy shouldn’t be a negotiable part of my life. Sure, if I miss a workout or gain a few pounds, I’m not going to lose my job. But in the long term, I could lose so much more.
Maybe it sounds dramatic to think like that. But my family’s health history reads like the who’s who of illness: diabetes, depression & anxiety, food intolerances, multiple sclerosis. It was all sort of easy to ignore in my twenties–life was fast-paced and I still fit into the clothes I wore in college. Then sometime after my 30th birthday, my metabolism changed. Those huge Italian meals I ate a couple times a week started catching up with me. I got tired. I have all the resources to be healthy right in front of me. Clearly, my issue is mental.
And so starting today, I’m going to work out like its my job. Maybe I won’t be getting paid in money or sponsorships (although that would be nice, right?), but that doesn’t mean I won’t get compensated. I’ll get paid in more energy, in a smaller pant size, in a happier disposition and less anxiety. I’ll get paid in more happy, functional years with my family.
And that will make me far more rich than any paycheck could.
Does working out fall to the bottom of your list? What keeps you from working out and achieving the healthy lifestyle you want?
It’s so easy for it to fall to the bottom of the to do list! That’s why I run so many races. I think it would be much harder for me to keep my motivation to run without races I’ve paid for on the horizon. Also, I’ve been trying Diet Bet recently and it definitely helps to have some money on the line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been so curious about diet bet!
LikeLike
I love your attitude – the long-term benefits of working out and living a healthy lifestyle is indeed so much more important than other, shorter term stuff that we usually use as an excuse to not exercise. I also needed a reminder of that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. I like how you phrased that: “more important than the short term stuff we use as an excuse”. I’m going to remember that.
LikeLike
I loved the sheer honesty in the write up! It resonated with me on so many levels! I had such similar thoughts always. I knew working out was important for my health in the long run, and didn’t think of it as a way just to lose pounds. But, I didn’t feel and internalize the importance until recently. I did a lot of googling to figure out how people love to workout. One advice that I loved and helped me out was – Combine working out with an activity you like doing. So, if you’re a family person and love spending time with your family, try to find ways for the whole family to workout together, even if it’s twice a week. You’ll eventually begin looking forward for those days and that shall motivate you. For me, working out is those few minutes each day when I plug off all contact with the world and have that time just for me. Somedays, even if I have no time and no energy after a long long day, I just do a 15 minutes light walk before dinner. It may not get my heart rate up and all, but those 15 min help with my sanity đŸ™‚
PS: That bathing quote is my favorite! I read it always when I feel down đŸ™‚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful comments! I think its really good advice to connect working out to something I really love. I agree about unplugging–I recently started classes at an orange theory fitness and I find that I love not having my phone on me for that hour!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that motivation quote! I’m a runner, so having races on the calendar is a huge motivator, but more than anything I just love how working out makes me feel – like I’m taking care of my body, I’m having fun, and I’m releasing stress! Good luck as you kick things up a notch! đŸ™‚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLike
That’s a great attitude! For me, if I don’t workout I know how that effects my mood, so I do it for myself and everyone around me, haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I don’t work out for awhile, I definitely get moody. Another great reason to work out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Once I started working out it became a habit right away. I felt weird skipping workouts. You just have to find exercise that you enjoy and it won’t feel like such a chore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a very good point!
LikeLike
Great attitude! I just bought a workout planner, well actually more of a log, and am going to start putting stickers on days I work out. It sounds hokey but I think it will be really motivating. It’s so hard to make time for ourselves when there are other things that we “should” be doing. But you are right, the small steps we take today have such a huge impact on our health in the future!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are so many “shoulds” in life! And I don’t think it sounds hokey at all…I had a log once and I gave myself gold stars. đŸ™‚
LikeLike
Working out sits at the top of my priority list because I have learned that when I don’t exercise, I can’t be my best. Take yesterday for example, I woke up exhausted, and felt that way until I exercised. Then after the workout, I felt like myself again. I literally sweat off the exhaustion. So it’s for this reason that I make sure to schedule in a workout.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so true!! I always feel better after I work out.
LikeLike
If you think about it – we actually DO get “paid” to work out. We get paid by NOT having to spend copious amounts of $$$$$ later in life on medical bills that result from NOT working out. đŸ˜‰
So yep. Every day I work out like it’s my JOB because IT IS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an excellent point!!
LikeLike
I love both those quotes, haha. (Although I’d change the coffee part to tea or smoothies đŸ˜› ). I like the idea of working out like it’s your job–maintaining a healthy lifestyle takes a lot of work but it’s an important investment for your health, so it makes it worth it! I really need to work on my consistency!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Consistency is my trouble spot, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an awesome concept! Our health is really so important and can determine the kind of life we have after retirement, it makes total sense to prepare and give ourselves the best life we can.
My sister does this, she trails like it’s her job or a professional and people think she’s crazy, because she does put in several hours of workouts a day, but she loves it. She finds it fun, and she loves the results and the competition she’s able to give in races and stuff.
Love your idea, and wish you the best. Now quit blogging and get back to work(ingout) LOL
Thanks for joining up with us for the hop!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! Yes ma’am, off to work out I go!
LikeLike
I love this post and I want to start doing that too. If we treated out bodies the way we would advise others to, we’d all be better off. Thanks for sharing this motivation today. I am actually headed out for lunch now and I’ll use the time to get some exercise.
I followed your page cause I think you’re going to help me stay inspired.
http://runwright.net
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like your attitude! I too have a terrible family medical history and that was my motivation to start working out in the first place. Since my last race working out has fallen right off my daily ‘To Do” list. I;m going to take that quote and tape it to my bathroom mirror lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good idea!
LikeLike
There are many things that motivate me to work out and are my “pay” for being active…energy, less stress, time outdoors, etc. Thanks for the motivation to keep at it!
Jennifer
Simple | Pure | Whole Wellness
http://www.JenniferWeinbergMD.com/blog
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I LOVE this! I actually wrote a post a while back about the Top 5 Health Decisions You Will Ever Make and one of those is to treat your health like it’s your job. “While not everyone works in the health and fitness industry make YOUR health your job. Being able to do the things you enjoy well into your golden years is worth the extra effort. So put your sweat sessions in your calendar, and treat them like an important meeting that you cannot miss.” I must admit that for me it does tie into my job as a triathlon coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor it is important for my career to stay fit. On that note though what has worked well for me is taking the thought process out of it, getting rid of that internal debate. When I have a little extra time here or there I workout, I don’t ever ask myself the question “do I want to workout?” that leaves the door open to say no and burdens your will power with additional unnecessary decision making. I have found that over time the consistent workouts have become a part of who I am, and I find myself saying add another 30 minute workout in because it will boost performance, why not who doesn’t have an extra 30 minutes? Stick with it girl, it is a journey and you’ve got this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such great advice! Thank you so much! It sounds like your mentality is what I am aiming for!
LikeLike
I love that you are making your health a priority! I am a runner and putting races on my calendar keeps me accountable to keep up the training, even when it gets tough! It is great to get to know you through this blog hop!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by!
LikeLike
hahaha that bathing quote! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right?!?
LikeLike
I find that if I have a plan and a purpose that really helps me to stay on track. At the moment I don’t have any races planned so I’ve started a new 8 week plan to help me become a better runner so that I’m ready for next year’s races!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good idea! I struggle if I don’t have a goal.
LikeLike
So I guess I really do treat working out as though it’s my job. I write my workouts into my schedule like appointments. It really helps me to stay on track. Having said that, we aren;t perfect and life gets in the way of the best plans at times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is great that you make them appointments. And excellent advice–sometimes I’m a little too hard on myself.
LikeLike
I agree with you…we all should treat working out as a job (or at least as a necessary part of our day). What motivates me? I like how strong it makes me feel, and I love how it makes my clothes fit LOL I’m not needing to lose weight, but there are some soft spots that are getting more firm. Good luck with your quest!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree about the clothes! Sometimes looking good can be a legitimate motivator.
LikeLike
I love how you are going to make working out a priority. Working out really does need to be something we take seriously and make it important. It’s a full circle health and wellness thing.
Since losing 80lbs, I’ve made working out a second job sort of deal for me. I am serious about my regular runs and workouts and they need to get done.
But, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get to a workout here and there or what have you. Because we aren’t pros, we have other life things to worry about too. đŸ™‚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great advice, thank you! I do need to get into that “second job” mindset.
LikeLike
Great attitude. It’s bound to pay off. Wish RunDisney would pay me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right? That would be amazing.
LikeLike
This is a really great article, very honest and I totally agree. Once you’re able to fit working out into a healthy lifestyle, your physical and mental health completely changes. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Working out is something that I look forward to every day. Working out is at the top of my priority list, cleaning my apartment usually falls to the bottom lol!. I schedule it into my days mentally at the beginning of each week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great! I wish I had that kind of focus. I enjoy working out once I’m doing it, but I still have a hard time getting started.
LikeLike
Nice. Exercise should be mandatory for all jobs, don’t you think? It would save on medical bills and insurance costs. I make a monthly exercise schedule and work it into my regular routine. You do what works for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would be so nice if exercise was built into the work day, wouldn’t it? Great thoughts.
LikeLike
I can totally relate and working out has fallen to the bottom of my list for so long now… I’m going to take the same approach and schedule it in and am determined not to miss! Good luck to us both and thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good luck to you, too!
LikeLike
Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely don’t schedule workouts like I do the rest of my day. I suppose that is why they often fall to the wayside when I have increased work and family commitments. I’m okay with that most of the time as long as I stay committed to working out a few times a week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think thats a good way to look at it!
LikeLike
We’re all so busy, so its easy to understand why sometimes working falls to the bottom of the priority list. I’ve found though that sometimes taking just a little bit of time to work out, even when I don’t want to or don’t think that I have time, can help motivate me to tackle the rest of my to do list.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree! Working out makes me so much more productive in all the other areas of my life.
LikeLike
I used to pay myself – $1 a mile or $1 a workout, depending on how much motivation I needed. Now…with two tiny humans, it’s fallen off my list. I agree with you so much that I need to get it on my list again as a non-negotiable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The tiny humans do change things, don’t they?!? I love the idea of paying yourself–I have a “prize” for myself when I hit my first goal, but I don’t think it is a big enough prize as I can’t seem to get to it!
LikeLike
Working about very close to be at the very top of my list of priorities. Even if it’s only 30 minutes I need to move daily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great!
LikeLike
What a great perspective to take on working out! I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Isn’t it great how age can effect us. I actually have the opposite problem. I can sometimes idolize exercise and put it above all else. It’s all for selfish reasons. I like the alone time, it’s my therapy and fills up my boredom. I need to exercise likes it my hobby and not my job although my blog is monetized.I am still awaiting that Nike sponsorship đŸ˜‰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it funny how the extreme of anything can be challenging! Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
I love this! Working out isn’t the hard part for me… it’s the clean eating! So I should consider eating clean like it’a my job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great idea! Eating clean is so tough.
LikeLike
Great post đŸ™‚ I love exercising but sometimes all it can take is a long weekend away to throw me off track and I’m clambering to catch up again – food and my irritating AF sweet tooth is another thing that holds me back, I’ll never be a dieter!
I don’t have little ones though so massive respect to you for juggling all of this with being a parent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol, you made me laugh! You summed it up so accurately–I feel like I’m clambering a lot! I think if working out was my life this week I may have been fired đŸ˜‰
LikeLike
The first time I started green juice I didn’t really like the taste but then I saw to myself it’s for the health benefits and I drink it up like medicine same goes to exercise when I feel not to I say to myself I’m not happy the way you look and keep myself motivated by working out home or even walking enough out or even if it’s going up and down the staircases the easiest things could help us be active and healthy what I also like to do is eat healthy but have a nice twist to it so you could eat your little cravings but just have a limit to it and once your salt intake sugar intake calories intake is stable you could eat anything you want but just in portions I believe there is no such thing as dieting if you strictly put yourself on one you will feel deprived why do you think many people have “cheat days” just so they could enjoy what they love once a week love yourself eat well be well and be happy đŸ™‚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your thoughts and tips!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes being proactive due to past family medical history can be the spark to make great lifestyle changes. Good luck on your fitness journey!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I try to look at it that way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so good!! It really does fall to the bottom of my list.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mine too, even when I think of it like this. It’s an ongoing “job” đŸ™‚
LikeLiked by 1 person
The fact that you’ve accomplished this mind set already shows how truly dedicated you are. Well done, love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Great post! This is why I recently made a blog. I want to help people find their own passion when it comes to exercising. I look forward to seeing more of your posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
You make such an awesome point. I seriously need to make this my mantra. You have such a valid point, we make everything else a priority and our health and fitness fall last. Thank you for an awesome article, I’d like to share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I agree, if you are going to take the time to go to the gym you may as well work your butt off. I go before work so I especially make sure that the workout was worth missing my lie in!
If you have time, check out my latest blog post about someone interrupting my workout. Check it out at http://www.tootinghustle.wordpress.com and let me know what you think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoying your blog, thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Loved this! Trying to do the same thing đŸ™‚ Love your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike