Ask Aunt B

B Dear Aunt B, I still have not started any exercise routine. I had planned to start it on January 1st. Any ideas on how to get me motivated?

Still Sitting on my

Butt Dear Still Sitting on my Butt, Just move. Start with anything. Well actually, start by stopping beating yourself up. Remember, beating yourself up will do nothing, and I mean nothing, to motivate you or get you anywhere close to what you want. I know this is a broken record with Aunt B. I personally think that if I can give you anything of value, this is it. I promise you guys, I have tried this my whole life and it just doesn’t give you anything except disappointment in yourself which leads to nothing productive. I understand the thinking behind it. It just doesn’t work. If I can punish myself enough, then I will change my behavior. Sorry, it never works. Enough, enough. You say, “I get it.”

Years ago, I started something that has kinda stayed with me. I wasn’t getting any exercise, and I was so out of shape that nothing was even comfortable. Whether you’re in that place or just want to get in more movement, you might want to give it a chance. I made a playlist with all my favorite songs. I used Amazon music but use whatever you have. I think Alexa will let you do something like this as well. Apple music works too. Amazon music and Apple music come with a monthly charge. I don’t think Alexa does, but I’m not sure. If you don’t have any of this technology, you might want to consider some of it. It is so nice to think of a song and be able to download it and listen whenever you like. Even turn the radio on with your favorite station. If you are really old school, play a tape or record. You guys might want to google records or cassette tapes just to get a good laugh at us old ones. Once you get your music, just dance. If you can’t dance just move around. Start with a short amount of time and increase as you are able. Move around even while you are sitting, if you have to start with just sitting. I was so surprised how much I enjoyed this and how it really stuck with me. I still have that playlist, and I have made new ones as well. I liked to do it in the morning, as it always started my day happy. Just do whatever works for you. I think it is a good idea to pick a time and stay consistent with that time. Doing it at the same time each day helps you to build the habit. Just have fun. The key here is to have fun. We should do more things that we enjoy.

Spring is coming; it seems like it is here already. I sure hope so. I don’t want to see cold weather hit us again. We have been pretty lucky this year, here in north Texas. Get outside and walk some. The fresh air will do you good as well. The point of all this is to do what you enjoy so you will do more of it.

If you are still having trouble, pick the smallest activity that you can commit to doing every day and start there. Maybe that would be to put your exercise shoes on. Just commit to putting the shoes on. Oftentimes that will spur you on to movement but, even if it doesn’t, keep putting the shoes on every day. Don’t stop that behavior, you will eventually wear yourself down and start adding a little movement. Laugh at yourself; make it fun.

It also helps if you stack habits. You brush your teeth every morning, right? Start moving for 2 minutes every day while you brush your teeth. Sounds small, right? It works. Go for consistency. Do it every day, and things will build up. Maybe just move a little while you read Aunt B every week. However, you might want to stack this movement onto something you do every day. Probably works better that way. Good luck with this.

Love, Aunt B

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