By: Steff Willis
We all know the benefits of exercising include improved physical and mental health, yet many of us struggle to find the motivation.
After a long day at work, the thought of exercising can seem daunting, and it’s easy to instead opt for the couch and a takeaway meal.
In a recent interview with David Young of Young Health, we unpack the universal struggle of trying to find the motivation to exercise.
David has navigated his own health journey and believes that the first step to finding motivation is understanding why being healthy is important to you.
“It’s going to vary for so many different people for so many different reasons” David said.
“I’d just like you to really think about it… how do you want to look, feel, function, and think in 10 years or even when you’re 90?”
David explains how reflecting on your long-term health goals can provide clarity and purpose.
Making the Decision to be Healthy
Once you’ve defined your why, you then need to make the decision to lead a healthy lifestyle. Once you decide, the commitment becomes part of who you are.
“Once you’ve decided, then you don’t really need motivation” David explained.
“You do to kind of keep yourself going and there’s other tools and things that you can use, but I think you start by making a decision… ‘Hey, I’m going to be a healthy person’”.
Knowing your ‘why’ and aligning your lifestyle with your values will help you stay motivated in the long term.
Start Small and Find Joy
While accountability and setting predetermined times for exercise in your schedule can help, David encourages people to begin with what you can do and what you love.
Whether it’s a short walk to the mailbox, swimming, or mountain biking, start small and build gradually. Over time, this can lead to more intense activities.
For some, joining group exercise sessions or having a workout buddy can provide the necessary encouragement and make the experience more enjoyable.
Nutrition and Muscle Mass
As a nutritionist, David understands the important role food plays when it comes to our exercise regimes.
“I think most people come from a space of either, I’m going to go and do hours and hours of intense cardio and focus on that, or people take the approach, I’m just going to focus entirely on food only.
“I think when you actually combine the two together and you nourish your body with real wholesome food and actually give your body the full fuel, the right fuel that it needs to perform at optimal levels.
It’s also not all about cardio, David encourages some form of resistance training in our routine to help maintain muscle mass, which is critical as you age.
For those struggling to incorporate exercise into their daily lives, David’s advice is to just start with what you can do. A short walk, swimming or a group activity combined with good nutrition can lead to significant improvements in energy and well-being.
Article supplied with thanks to 96five.
Feature image: Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash