The Keys to Success in Health and Fitness Week 6: Celebrations

-Brigid Lossing

So far in this series we've talked a lot about work – the work of creating your blueprint and the effort we need to put forth in terms of putting together our toolbox, creating our support system, getting in touch with our emotions, and changing the habits of thought and behavior that have led us to be less healthy and fit than we'd like to be.

Today, let’s talk about joy; as in doing things other than eating that make you truly happy.

When I first realized that I needed to make some major changes in my life to become healthier one of the things I noticed is that I really had no idea what kinds of things I liked to do! I was so busy taking care of all of obligations that I'd never explored things fun things I could do just for the sake of fun. I also realized that food was filling that role.  

Are you living a life that's full of work and other responsibilities but empty of joy?  As you mediate on this question, make sure you are able to distinguish between happiness over meeting your obligations - fulfilling your commitments - and the pure joy of doing something for yourself.   I can tell you honestly that my answer to this question was NO!  I had no activities that I could call my own – except eating.

When I first started spinning, I actually had to overcome guilt over spending resources from my time and money budgets for something that wouldn’t benefit anyone but me.  Needless to say, this was stinkin’ thinkin’. It didn’t take long for me to realize the joy that I derived from my spin classes carried over into the rest of the day.It has continued to make me happy!  I often encourage my 5:45 a.m., team to be joyful and take their accomplishments with them to reflect on throughout the day.  

Maybe exercise is something you're doing because you love it as well – and if so, congratulations! But regardless of whether you do indoor cycling classes and/or other forms of exercise for love or duty (or both), I urge you to take a moment to ask yourself if there are things you can be doing to bring more happiness to your day to day life.

Taking time to smell the roses is part of this, but living a balanced, healthier life is much more than taking fleeting moments here and there.  Making healthy choices and PURSUING joyful activities is perhaps the best way to show our appreciation for the gift of life and health.

If you have trouble with the idea of being “selfish” enough to pursue a hobby or other pleasurable experiences when there are so many things you think you “should” be doing instead, I have a challenge for you. Think of the time you take for pleasure and enjoyment as being just as necessary for your health and fitness as exercise and proper diet.  The fact is, when we lead unbalanced lives of all work and no play, many if not most of us stuff the natural stress and dissatisfaction we feel with food or other self-destructive habits.

Find and pursue your joy.  Don’t wait until you’ve lost weight, you have more money, or whatever your excuse may be.  You’ve heard it before: this is NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL!  Become fully engaged with your life TODAY!  Be JOYFUL!