his running shoes and close the door behind him to get going. Many times, by promising myself I could quit 10 minutes after I’d started, I got myself to start—and then found that I didn’t want to quit, after all.


5


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8


Think about context. Examine the factors that might be discouraging you from exercising. Perhaps you are distressed about the grubby showers in your gym or recoil from running if it’s cold outside. Try alternatives.


Exercise several times a week. If your idea of exercise is to join games of pick-up basketball, you should be playing practically every day. Twice a month isn’t enough.


Find a way to exercise that doesn’t always require you to


shower afterward. Each week, I really get into a challenging weight-training session, but it’s in a format that doesn’t make me sweat.


Look for affordable ways to make exercising more pleasant


or satisfying. Could you upgrade to a nicer or more convenient gym, buy


yourself a new iPod or pedometer or work with a trainer? Exercise is a high life priority, so these are worthwhile ways to spend some money if they help get you moving.


9


Think of exercise as part of your essential preparation. It readies


you for times when you want to be in especially fine form—whether in per- formance (to be sharp for an important presentation), appearance (to look good for a wedding or another formal occa- sion) or mood (to deal with a stressful situation).


10 11


Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Don’t decide it’s only worth exercising if you can run five miles or if you can bike for an hour. A woman I know scorns exer- cise unless she’s training for a mara- thon—so she never exercises. Even go- ing for a 10-minute walk is worthwhile. Do what you can.


Suit up. Even if you’re not sure you’re going to exercise, go


ahead and put on your exercise clothes. Pack your bag. Put the dog’s leash by


the door. Get prepared. If you’re ready to go, you might find it easier just to go ahead and exercise. Sometimes a trivial thing, like not knowing where your shoes are, gets in the way.


12


Don’t kid yourself. Paying for a gym membership doesn’t mean you necessarily go to the gym. Having been in shape in high school or college doesn’t mean you’re in shape now. Saying that you don’t have time to exercise doesn’t make it true.


People often ask me, “So, if I want to be happier, what should I be doing?” and I always say, “The first thing to do is to make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and some exercise.” It’s a stance backed up by research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness. Good exercise is a good place to start, and makes it easier to act on other personal happiness-inducing resolutions.


Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happi- ness Project, blogs daily at Happiness- Project.com.


natural awakenings


January 2011


35


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