FEELING GREAT: Ask yourself what is it you’re trying to avoid by exercising?

Here we are, coming to the end of 2023 and about to enter a new year. Are you going to jump into 2024 with a spring in your step – or carry on in the same mode you have been in for months?
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Dec 2023, 00:00 BST
“It has to motivate you enough to take action, however bad the weather is outside."“It has to motivate you enough to take action, however bad the weather is outside."
“It has to motivate you enough to take action, however bad the weather is outside."

Many of you reading this will be thinking of a New Year resolution or two.

Well, how about this for starters? This is a question from one of my patients/clients (aged 57) in the Paul Gough Physio Rooms.

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He asked: “I often find myself starting, and then stopping, just about every exercise kick I’ve ever been on. The worst thing is that I don’t even realise I’ve stopped exercising (usually just going out for a nightly walk with my partner) until weeks later and then I find it difficult to get it going again. How do I find the motivation to keep active on a daily basis?”

Well do you need to make it your 2024 resolution to stick with exercise?

You must know the reason why you’re exercising in the first place. To find the motivation to keep healthy and active, ask what is it that you’re actually hoping to avoid by doing the exercise?

Is it to avoid always feeling stiff each day? To lower the risk of heart and lung disease that are both more likely to happen to you if you don’t keep active or do some form of exercise? Either way, you need to find something that motivates you enough to keep you from spending too much time on the couch. Your reasons for daily exercise may be about maintaining independence or self-determination, so you can still do things and go places for many more years to come. And remember whatever your reason for wanting to keep active, it has to motivate you!

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Think what life would be like if you didn’t exercise by choice, as opposed to not exercising because you can’t – for example because of some knee problem or chronic back pain.

Whatever it is, paint a bleak enough picture of a life without exercise so that you don’t succumb to the temptation of spending day after day sitting in front of the TV. It has to motivate you enough to take action, however bad the weather is outside.

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and a memorable new year - and if you want a free gift of my book The Healthy Habit call 01429 866771 or visit paulgoughphysio.com.