The Weight Loss Minute

100 days of exercise

I recently saw a cartoon that showed a therapist saying to her client, “Do you think you use food as a substitute for love?” The client’s response was, “No, I use food as a substitute for exercise!”

Doesn’t that sound great? We all know that exercise is an essential (although sometimes evil) part of any weight management program. But sometimes we’ll try almost anything to avoid doing it.

Every so often, we may set new intentions and write down our goals. Then we join a gym, buy new workout equipment, and stock up on instruction books and videos. With everything in place, this exercise thing should be a snap.

Yet days, even months go by, and we just don’t get started. Or we start and stop, then can’t get ourselves to go back to it. You are certainly not alone in this struggle! Thousands of would-be exercisers hang their clothes on what was supposed to be the magic equipment that would help them get into shape.

It’s time for us to change this pattern and do more than thinking or reading about exercise. Instead, we need to do it. But rather than getting overwhelmed by it, I suggest you set up an exercise plan that feels so easy it cannot fail.

Starting today, use these ideas to get your exercise program going:

• Just do SOMETHING, then you’re started

The first step is always the hardest one. But the minute you step out the door or climb on your exercise bike, you’ve overcome a huge roadblock. And even it feels like it won’t make a difference, take a very short walk, or do one minute on a workout machine. Then pump your fist in the air in triumph—you’ve broken your inertia and now you’re started.

• Do something every day

Remember that all activity counts. So rather than skip exercise because of a tight schedule, do a small amount and call it good. Then do the same level again the next day, and the next, until it’s a daily habit.

• Get creative

Many years ago, I met an elderly woman who lived in rural Minnesota. During the harsh winters, she decided to exercise by walking up and down her basement stairs. So each morning, she would grab the handrail and head down her steep, painted steps, then turn around and climb back up again. She started with one trip up and back, then every few days, she added another set. Last time we spoke, she was doing 30 stair-climbing trips a day, without even a hint of getting short of breath.

NO more excuses! If she can do this, so can you. Regardless of your current weight, health problems or poor fitness level, get creative and figure out a way to make your exercise plan work.

Here’s a great challenge for you:

Set a goal of achieving 100 days of exercise. It doesn’t have to be 100 days in a row, just track the days you exercise over time. Mark them off on a calendar or in your journal and keep moving toward a total of 100 days.

When you hit Day 100, send me an email. I’d love to help you celebrate!

To read more about sticking with your exercise plan, see Days #49-50 in 100 Days of Weight Loss.

Copyright Linda Spangle, 2007. #0115, Weight Loss for Life, Inc.

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