Day 102: One thing I learned today…
What is your why?
In a study of 226 middle aged women, 75% of the participants cited weight loss or better health as their top reason for exercising. When measuring the time in which these women exercised, they spent 32% less time exercising than those with other goals.
A typical response when asked why do you want to incorporate exercising is “to lose weight”. However, as humans, a lot of time we decided to go with the route of instant gratification rather than a long term benefit.
Weight loss or better health don’t quite cut it for a good reason to lose weight. Especially if someone feels like it is something they “should” do or their doctor told them they need to. Those that tend to stick to a goal of an exercise program do it for reasons in which support their values or they way it makes them feel.
What is the reasoning behind your exercise routine? What is your why? I can tell you I love the feeling I have after a long run. I am amazed that my body was able to take on 70.3 miles and the best part about it is, my husband typically is training with me. This is when we spend most of our time together. If we are training with a group (when that was a thing) I looked forward to some social time with like minded people.
Source:
No Sweat: How the Simple Science of Motivation Can Bring You a Lifetime of Fitness by Michelle Segar
Segar, Michelle & Eccles, Jacquelynne & Richardson, Caroline. (2011). Rebranding exercise: Closing the gap between values and behavior. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 8. 94. 10.1186/1479-5868-8-94.
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