I had written a few guest blogs on how I was beginning a 10,000 steps a day program. I am not desperately trying to lose weight although that has been a side effect of what I had been doing. And then we were struck with one “crisis” after another. I got sick. . .then my husband. . .then the twins. . .and well I fell out of the habit. That’s what fitness is really: a good habit. We have a hard time getting fit because we don’t have good habits.
Breaking a Good Habit
However, I have learned that it takes a little effort to break a good habit. I was in the habit of getting in my 10,000 steps every day. I was even doing a little more than 10,000 steps. But then one day, I missed the mark. I got too busy and just couldn’t squeeze in a walk.
So here’s what I did. I rationalized it. You know that you can’t just say, “Oh it’s okay I didn’t make it.” You have to come up with an excuse. Mine was that the twins were sick and I can assure you that taking care of twins is more than a full time job. That’s a pretty good excuse too. But then I kept missing it. . .and the excuses went from understandable (twins are really sick) to lame (I’m too tired.) So in this process of failing I’ve learned a few things.
The 21 Day ‘Critical’ Period
I’ve discovered that the importance of getting into a habit when you are first starting an exercise program is foundational. Did you know that it takes 21 days of consistency to set a good habit? 21 days without a break or an excuse. Not a single one. . .no matter how good or justified it might be.
Has this happened to you? You’re going along great and then life happens? Obviously there are times when things need our attention and it may truly be impossible to get exercise in. I suggest though, that before skipping your routine or passing up on your goal for the day that you evaluate your ’need’. Is your need so critical that it is worth breaking the habit of exercise? If so, then perhaps you should attend to what you need to and start over again in a week. Or perhaps, your need is not so great that you can’t at least get half of your goal in. For me, my goal was 10,000 steps. But perhaps I could’ve done 5,000 or even 2,000. Anything to not completely break the habit would’ve prevented me from having a good excuse to a lame one.
Failure Does Not Equal Defeat
When it comes to starting out exercising, you can lose a battle but still win the war. I failed in my first goal. So I’ve reassessed my goals to make sure that I have time for sick twins AND exercise. Check back tomorrow for some suggestions on how to pick yourself back up!