Forget running the race- telling ourselves that we can’t or worrying that it won’t be enough can keep us from ever even making it out of the gate!

The following dispiriting types of comments in varying forms come up frequently in my conversations with others:

“Yeah, I know I should start working out again, but I used to run a minimum of 3 miles 5 days per week and I’d probably barely be able to do a mile now.”

Or, “I love to lift weights- really enjoy it, but I know no workout program is complete without cardio, which I hate, so what’s the point if it’s not going to make any difference?”

This all or nothing philosophy is one I understand well, having been sidelined by perfectionistic tendencies myself. And that’s actually what it comes down to: a desire to get it perfect. 

Well, stop it! Because you are not now, nor will you ever be, perfect.

You will never be the perfect person and you will never do the perfect workout and you will never have the perfect body. Because you won’t. Because you are human. So get over yourself and let’s get real here.

To the two commenters above I offered the following strategies:

Person #1) Get your running shoes on and get moving. Forget how fast, how far and how much. Start by walking. Burst into a jog when you’re ready. You may not ready during the first walk, but with continued repetition you’ll get there.

Forget perfection. Just make it your job to get on your running shoes and get outside or on the treadmill.

Person #2) You enjoy lifting weights, so lift weights and let that be enough for now. Doing the part you enjoy gets you started. Move in faith that you’ll be led to the next step when you’re meant to be.

Where you start is not where you’ll STAY!

And sure, we all know that a well-rounded wellness program generally includes strength training, cardio, and a balanced diet, but that doesn’t mean it has to be tackled all at once.

Begin with one step and mindfully move in faith from there.

This approach requires adherence to the faith that continued small steps in the right direction will ultimately lead you where you need to be.

They do.

In the past I rarely believed in small steps. I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it and I wanted it yesterday. But in hurrying the process to get where I wanted to be faster faster faster, I missed out on pertinent life lessons intended to aid future endeavors.

Swapping in the words “I can’t yet” for I can’t relays a message to yourself that says, “I WILL”.

Begin with the part you can do and build from there. This is about the process!

If you’re laying down, sit up. If you’re sitting down, stand up. If you’re standing, start walking. If you’re walking but desire to kick it up a notch and it’s a viable possibility for you, start running.

Just do a little more than you’re doing now.

If you’re already working out, continue to challenge yourself by switching things up and trying new things you might not be good at.

Yet.

Or possibly never! You don’t have to be good at something to enjoy it. 

If you’re not currently doing anything you may not yet believe you can do anything. That’s why I’m here to tell you that you can.

YES. YOU. CAN.

Utilize what’s available to you in any manner that allows you to put one foot in front of the other and get started. The rest will follow in its own time.

Your mission is allowing it to.