The BIGGEST struggle we all face. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Fitness Friday: Part 5
Over the past 4 weeks we’ve identified some specific exercise pitfalls to avoid and I’ve given you effective and easy-to-implement action steps to help you along your fitness journey. Today we wrap up this 5-part series discussing common hiking fitness mistakes—and WHAT to do instead. Today’s topic is actually one of the MOST important factors in achieving your hiking fitness goal. And it also happens to be one of the BIGGEST struggles we all face.
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Mistake #5: Not being consistent
Would you believe me if I told you that… consistency gets EASIER over time It’s true! Signals from one part of your brain to another (called neural pathways) are created by your actions, and this connection gets strengthened the more you do said action— this is the basis of habit formation. I like to think of neural pathways like a hiking trail that gets traveled frequently— the path is wide, unobstructed, and easy to navigate.
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Start building your "WHY"
How does one find the initial momentum and then maintain consistency?
Have a strong "WHY"-- some form of deeper purpose for what you’re working towards.
“Most people have a hard time committing and following through with anything unless there’s a compelling enough reason why they want it” -Marie Forleo
Examples of exercise “WHYs”: - Being able to hike without knee or back pain
- Maintaining the social aspect of hiking with friends and hiking groups
- Family vacation, friends trip/reunion, anniversary or graduation gift to a hiking destination
- Setting a good example for you children/grandchildren
- Maintaining physical independence with aging
- Proving to yourself that you can do hard/challenging things
- Your fitness goal is tied to a fond memory or emotional experience (Example: seeing a photo of your late grandfather grinning ear-to-ear at Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park and wanting to be able to have the same experience.)
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Own the process...
Many things worth doing require hard work and sometimes they provide little to no sense of instant gratification. So after each workout, take a moment to notice and enjoy the “feel good” endorphins, bask in the sense of accomplishment, and acknowledge that each step you take is progressing you closer towards your goal— this helps build momentum and strengthens your neural pathways! Be kind to yourself when you do fall off track. Accept that it will happen, and it’s OK— it’s all a part of the process. The key is to recommit to yourself and your routine as quickly as possible. In order to make exercise a priority, you have to treat it like everything else that’s important to you. And that means putting it in your calendar! If something is scheduled, it’s more likely to get done!
TIPS FOR BEING CONSISTENT WITH EXERCISE:
- Have an exercise plan— don’t “wing it” (refer back to Week 2 email)
- Schedule an actual time and place for exercise in your calendar
- Make it a priority— commit to yourself
- Start small and feel the momentum build
- Remember that it’s progress not perfection
- Identify personal barriers and make backup plans
- Break down your goal into smaller, more manageable tasks
- Stop looking for excuses— focus on your WHY!
Want even more tips for success? Read this related article from my blog: How to maintain motivation and consistency with exercise
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YOUR Action Steps:
- Start building your WHY. Write it down and put it some place you’ll see often (tape it to the refrigerator or bathroom mirror, make it the background image on your phone, set a daily pop-up reminder).
- Identify 3 potential barriers/obstacles that might prevent you from being consistent with exercise. Then, create detailed action plans to prevent/overcome them.
- Schedule your workouts— Remember, if something is scheduled it’s more likely to get done!
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How'd you do with your SMART goal from Week 1 of this series? Recommit to it or set another small goal that will keep you progressing towards your overall goal.
The trail awaits... be ready for it!
Kristen
P.S. As a member of my email list I have an exclusive limited-time offer for you... see details below!
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If you enjoyed this email series and found the information helpful, I invite you to enroll in my HIKE-ABILITY Training Program.
Here's just some of what you'll get:
- An effective workout formula tailored specifically for hikers-- including the BEST exercises to get in shape for hiking
- Access to over 30 instructional videos
- Guidance on how to customize ANY workout to meet your current level of fitness
- PLUS many more resources, tips, and tools to help you plan and prepare for YOUR hiking adventures!
At checkout use coupon code: HIKEFIT2024!
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