Just. Keep. Going.

It's as simple, and as hard, sometimes, as that.

I once set a goal for myself that required years of commitment and discipline and hard work. There were times when I felt thoroughly defeated, beat up by the process, and denuded of all inspiration and will.

But somewhere within me there was a shred of willingness and determination. And each time I came to that hard, hard place, I kept going and amazing things happened at the very lowest moments, when I at once gave up, acknowledged that this could be the end, and told myself just take it to the wall. I would not stop.

I'm sure this is what marathon and extreme athletes experience in their drive to the finish line. Whether your finish line is one drawn on the earth or 6 figures or spiritual enlightenment or whatever, there comes a time, many times sometimes, when you will need to tell yourself to just keep going.

Keep on keeping on. Take the next step. Do the next right thing. Just do it.

Ram Tirtha was a monk from India who came to the United States in the early 20th Century. He was a poet-saint, passionate about his relationship with God, and once wrote to his students and followers that when their spiritual journey became so intense and painful that they couldn't go on, that they needed to "drink your own blood and keep going". 

That's extreme! But, on days when it seems like exercise is the last thing I want to do because I'm in a funk, or I'm feeling lazy, or I have a gazillion things going on, I often remind myself to just keep going. (The drinking your own blood part thankfully doesn't come often and is more reserved for big, life goals where it seems like everything is on the line. I'm speaking for myself. I'm sure that professional athletes have experienced those moments, anyone who is committed to something big knows what I'm talking about. It's really a great moment, when it comes to that....)

We all have days, I think, when we wonder, what for? I'm inspired by teams that are down at halftime, or in the last minutes of the game and winning seems impossible, but play with everything they've got to the very end. Sometimes they win the game!  It's as if their very effort creates miracles, or, if you don't believe in miracles, delightful events that seem to happen spontaneously and out of the blue.

To me, the sports-is-life analogy holds true and to continue to exercise regularly, to do the things that keep me healthy and in the game of my life, is sometimes a huge challenge that asks me to reach deep within myself and give it my best shot. It might not be very good --- it might be a very short walk or five minutes of yoga or just lifting weights for a few minutes. But it's something. 

Today, just keep going.

Regular exercise is a gift I give my body and mind.

I recognize how exercise enhances my life, makes me feel good, and gives me the stamina and strength to work, play, and accomplish more than I can when I let myself go and stop taking care of myself.
It's amazing the thought processes that I go through sometimes just to get going with exercise, especially when I've taken a couple of days off, or just done minimal walking the dog exercise for a day or two.
I don't sleep as well -- that's a first sign that I need exercise -- and if I don't sleep well, then the day has a sort of grey tinge to it. When I do exercise enough (- and for everybody "enough" is probably different but, going back to the beginning, for me, it's at least 20 minutes of aerobics 3 times a week, or 1 hour of walking 5x a week, or regular yoga vinyasa practice of 30 minutes or so 3 to 5 times a week.
That's just me.Another way of putting it is -- I need to sweat about 20 minutes or so at least 3 x a week, preferably more) I feel better when I wake up and exercise is already a part of my day so I don't think about it. I just do it.
Otherwise I have to talk to myself, encourage myself to get up and get moving.
I realize when I tune into my body, it's craving more exercise than I'm giving it. This morning I did a 30 minute run/walk with the dog; yesterday I walked, including two hills, for an hour. And, still, this morning, my body wants more, so I will do yoga this afternoon to a video I have with a good 20 minute workout.
I will give my body that.
And my mind will thank me, too. I've had some stress lately and exercise helps me see things more clearly, less reactively. It's a lot like meditation, which I also do regularly and know my life is enriched by it.
So, these are gifts that I give to me that enhance my life.
What are you giving your body and mind today?

My body and mind are healthy and strong

Studies show that exercise keeps the mind in shape, too. I notice that if I go through a period of laziness and inactivity my mind gets sluggish, like my body. But when I'm consistent with exercise, even regular walking for 30 or 40 (or more) minutes a day, my thinking is clear and sharp.
Right now I am trying to avoid going into workaholic mode. I have a lot of clients right now and I can become ocd about work, sitting for hours at the computer and on the phone, doing business, completely zoned. The result is weight around my waist and belly, and feeling half dead.
My goal, and challenge, is to exercise an hour a day -- and I've managed to do it somewhat consistently, but this week, no. Yesterday I walked for 40 minutes, but didn't do yoga at all, which I need to do to feel healthy. I realized a long time ago that running, without real deep stretching, would wreck my posture and maybe other body parts eventually. I found yoga and studied it intensely for a few years, taking classes with very good teachers. For the last five years, I've had mostly a home practice.
In this five years, I've run less and less. I've been a runner for most of my adult life but it's become less enjoyable, and painful, yet I miss the aerobic high of running, so I'm not sure what to do.
Walking definitely is enjoyable -- I take my dog, Gracie, with me -- and it keeps me in some kind of shape, but doesn't give me that ripped feeling that more intense workouts (running) does. I'm looking at revamping my exercise regime.
Regarding yoga: when I consistently practice, even just a few sun salutations and some standing poses then some floor poses, my body feels balanced - I don't crave extra food and feel relaxed mentally and physically. Ideally, I would be able to practice outside - as that's what I love about walking - being outdoors. But right now, my yoga practice needs to be inside.
This morning I'm going for an hour, maybe walk and run...My body and mind are healthy and strong!

Exercise Feels Good!

A lot of the time, it feels better than good -- It's a body/mind/spirit accumulation of good feelings and then reaching some kind of zone with exercise where worries and fears and petty concerns drop away. Whether I'm walking or running or doing yoga or dancing, I have the same experience: my mind lets go and that feels great.

Today, this week, affirm, in writing and outloud, that exercise feels good. Maybe not in the first stages, when you're warming up, but there is no doubt that as you stay with it, at some point, that letting go takes place.

At the end of your run or cycling or swimming or whatever the feeling is just fantastic. Go for it.

Exercise is an important part of my life. I'm still doing it!

It's been a long time since I posted and I want to say a lot has happened since my last post.
The main thing is, I am still exercising! If you have experienced a lapse in your routine, take a few minutes to write down what caused you to stop. Write down the challenges, the ideas and thoughts, the feelings you had and what was going on in your life that contributed to you stopping your exercise routine.
Maybe it was a health issue, a time issue -- whatever, just write it down.
Then, write the affirmation above as many times as you feel like and exercise today.
It's been over four years since I posted here, and I've had my struggles with staying in shape, but at the very least I've walked regularly. I encourage you to move your body today, and enjoy it.

Couch Potatoes Anonymous

Today I turn off TV and get up and move for at least 20 minutes.

Need I say more?

I Release All Resistance to Physical Exercise

What are your resistances? Not enough time, not enough energy? Boring?

Whatever they are, list them, then think of a counter thought -- If you make time for exercise, the rest of your day will be supported by your effort -- Your body will feel good, you will be energized -- which addresses "not enough energy". It's amazing how energizing just 20 minutes of walking can give you.