Find your exercise willpower

How many times have you had your heart set on beginning an exercise regime only to be deterred by the constraints of your own mind? We’ve all been there; brimming with excuses, we put exercise down as a pursuit for another day…

With the everyday pressure to be a good wife, mother, daughter and friend, many women have a fear of failure, of not being good enough, and an overwhelming sense of self-consciousness. This extends to our gym routine. Do you want to improve your life and health but are scared of being judged at the gym? It’s a puzzling contradiction that’s difficult to overcome.
A study conducted by VicHealth indicated that more than two-thirds of adult Australian women were classified as being sedentary or having low levels of activity. So where does this leave us? Addressing the barriers preventing women and girls from participating in physical activity is complex. But by understanding a few key points, you can start getting physical in no time at all.

‘I jiggle therefore I am’

Chances are you’ve seen it, Missy Elliott’s pounding vocals accompanied by images of women of all ages and sizes jogging, jumping, sweating and playing sport. In its original implementation in 2015, the This Girl Can campaign attracted more than 16 million views on YouTube and Facebook. Developed by Sport England, the campaign aims to help women and girls overcome the fear of judgement that is stopping them from joining in and experiencing the health benefits of sport and exercise. This Girl Can is a celebration of active women doing their thing, no matter how well they do it.

And in one minute and 30 seconds, it’s enough to get out of your seat, bouncing with motivation, empowerment and self-belief. But what if the fear of being seen at the bottom is holding you back?

How to do it when you just can’t do it

There’s often a psychological struggle behind your exercise block. Theories of human behaviour have long shown that immediate experience often outweighs future rewards.

What this means is that it is hard to do something uncomfortable even if it earns us something good later. We know the benefits of a consistent exercise regime, but persevering with what’s undeniably uncomfortable in the interim can prove a challenging feat.

Walking into a new gym for the first time can be a daunting and even embarrassing experience. Everyone appears to know what they’re doing, and you feel like a fish out of water dressed in the wrong clothes and fumbling with the infinite rows of foreign equipment. You’re not sure where everything is and even when you do find it you aren’t sure what to do with it. So you settle for a 10-minute walk on the treadmill with your headphones in and eyes down before darting out the door.

If the feeling of not being enough is holding you back from living your most fulfilled life, it’s time to take a step back, adjust your mindset and start embracing you. As Dr Seuss infamously proclaimed ‘Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you.’ Change your outlook and embrace you.

Mindful Puzzles’ tips

Want to change your routine? Break out of your exercise box with Mindful Puzzles’ advice on starting an athletic habit that suits you.

Hire the services of a personal trainer. Everyone started right where you are and it’s a great place to be. With no bad habits or negative thought patterns, you’re more inclined to stick it out and actually enjoy the program designed specifically for you.
Although the gym shouldn’t be likened to a walk down the streets of Milan, you should have the right activewear to support the physical activity you’re doing, and something that boosts your confidence is always an added bonus. Invest in a quality sports bra, exercise tights or shorts, and running shoes.
Uncover why you’re becoming active. You, your health, your family, your children? Studies have shown that your reasons for physical activity will vary as you reach certain life stages. Younger women are generally motivated by improving their appearance and weight management whereas those in the 55 plus club generally work out for health outcomes or the social interaction benefits. Determine your reasons so you can develop a plan that will cater to your goals and your needs.