When The Going Gets Tough… Keep Going

This time of year, we get a lot of new members starting at the gym and others who are already members starting back up into routine again, that is no secret. January is a busy time as the start of a new year is a natural time to refocus and set new goals that a lot of times are around taking better care of ourselves.

Some will stick with this new habit and a lot won’t.

Last week I had 2 identical conversations with 2 different members about sticking with their routines when times get tough.

Inevitably at some point something will come up that is going to test your commitment to your exercise routine and make it more difficult to maintain. Stress at work, a family member gets sick or money gets tight and one of the first things we let go of is our own health and fitness when in reality in these stressful situations it’s the one thing you should be fighting to maintain.

To take care of others the best you can or take on stressful situations, you need to be at your best. Maintaining your own health and fitness through these situations is not only the best thing you can do for yourself but also for those around you. Exercise is also one of the best stress relievers.

Maybe you have to revisit your routine to shorten it up, do it at home or only do 2 days a week instead of 3, but whatever you do, don’t give it up. There is always a way to make it work if it’s important to you.

We have all heard the speech on an airplane where they tell you in case of an emergency, put your own oxygen mask on first before helping anyone else with theirs. Without you getting oxygen you are not going to be much help to anyone else for very long. Think of your exercise routine as your oxygen mask.

Take care of yourself first and you will be better able to take care of others and be able to take on other stressful situations better.

Make this the year you stick with it, no matter what.