Your Exercise Purpose

Exercise, it's near the top on most everyone's new resolution list.  Gym memberships soar, sporting goods are purchased, and the determined promises of walking, cycling, downward-dogging and stair-stepping one's way to fitness are made.  But most experience, soon enough, that life and all its schedules such as work, school, family and the draw of the latest Netflix offering, cause abandonment of the exercise euphoria before it's found or felt.

I'd like to offer a new perspective before starting your new plan--find your exercise purpose.  I must first disclaim that I am a runner, but it hasn't been without long exercise dry spells over the years.  I ran track and field in high school, a bit in college, but after retiring with nagging knee troubles, found myself with two young girls, a job and parent volunteer title.  Regular exercise wasn't part of the routine.  I would start, stop, start and stop again, and couldn't quite make the full commitment, even though both my mind and body were screaming that I needed it.

Then, things dramatically changed one day as I found myself, alongside my sister, getting lectured by a cardiologist about genetics, blood tests and hereditary conditions.  Stunned, sad, angry and a bit numb, I found my purpose in the midst of medical terminology and scare tactics.  I was determined that the best chance and opportunity I had to stay healthy and stave off any possible threat, was to integrate exercise into my life regularly.  I'm happy to say as of today, both my sister and I are feeling and doing well, and I'm a true believer in the positive effects of keeping one's body in motion.

When I started exercising again, I could not complete a run to my neighborhood corner less than a half mile from my front door, followed by a gingerly walk home.  But one step at a time, keeping hold to my purpose, I've since trained for and run four half marathons as well as numerous 5k and 10k fun runs.  I also regularly enjoy mountain biking, kayaking and any other activity that keeps me moving.  

You may not have such a frightening experience to find your purpose, but I argue that it needs to be discovered through an honest conversation with yourself.
If you want to lose weight, why?
If you want better health, why?
If you want to run a 5k, why?
Are you doing it for yourself or others, such as your family?  Why?

Once you find the true purpose to why you have resolved to exercise, it helps on those days when you don't want to get out of bed, when the last thing you want to do is lace up the shoes, and when everything hurts.  You'll need to revisit your purpose often on this exercise journey.  It will get you out the door each day, the rewards will be greater, and by doing so you may just inspire those around you to join in and find their purpose of their own.