For years I've thought about the phrase "exercise resistance" (in my mind a play on the words insulin resistance) and often pondered what the tipping point is to clear the hurdle of resisting exercise. Specifically, how do individuals who once struggled to "find time", or made incalculable excuses, switch to not only embracing exercise, but implementing it into a life-long commitment to oneself. I am human and determined to move (physically and mentally) from pondering to action.
This endeavor will be a very small pilot research study (n=1) and will explore thoughts that emerge with resisting exercise and, more importantly, the motivation to move past those thoughts and commit to a more healthful way of living. One day, one step, one thought, one class...at a time.
"126 to Marco" explained: I live 126 miles from Marco Island Florida (according to Google maps). The magnificent Family Support Weekend for families with Children with Diabetes will convene on December 31, 2009. I will see dear friends and make new ones there, and plan to walk the beautiful beach effortlessly with others. So, I have decided to walk 126 miles, on average 4 miles per day at a time, in and around my neighborhood between now and December 31, 2009.
I "missed" the weekly YinYoga class today - excuse: too busy online with Twitter (follow me @CureT1Diabetes), Facebook, creating this blog, various email accounts etc. and I didn't prepare well - you may know the drill. However, I'm going to log off now and walk my dog for 4 miles. And so begins the journey of one.
Thanks for reading and please share what motivates you to exercise consistently.
(p.s. If you know of a tool I can use to log my steps and post exercise on the blog, please let me know. )
(p.p.s. Comment 13 here in the NYTimes on November 18, 2009: In a study of overcoming exercise resistance (n=1) ;-) I’ve discovered that when walking, there’s a surge of joy that occurs just about at the 2 mile marker which produces a boost of energy to walk at least another 2 miles or more depending upon the weather.
— Ellen H. Ullman, MSW
UPDATE:
Day 1 -Walked 4.4 miles with the dog and even jogged a tiny bit. 121.6 to Marco
(p.p.s. Comment 13 here in the NYTimes on November 18, 2009: In a study of overcoming exercise resistance (n=1) ;-) I’ve discovered that when walking, there’s a surge of joy that occurs just about at the 2 mile marker which produces a boost of energy to walk at least another 2 miles or more depending upon the weather.
— Ellen H. Ullman, MSW
UPDATE:
Day 1 -Walked 4.4 miles with the dog and even jogged a tiny bit. 121.6 to Marco
