Establishing and maintaining movement as a part of our daily activities can feel challenging at times. It can help to know that our challenges are actually opportunities. The things we perceive to be challenges can actually help us expand and grow. We can even come to see our challenges as friends. They are masked in disguise, but they encourage us to see them as they are – opportunities to grow into deeper acceptance of ourselves as we are.
Masked Challenger: Feeling Overwhelmed
Trying to do too many things at once can lead us to feeling overwhelmed. Do not try to add too many things to your movement list all at once. It takes 40 days to establish a new habit, so take those 40 days to focus in on one habit you would like to add. Take it slow and steady. Take it down a notch if you feel overwhelmed. But do not stop or take a break from movement altogether unless your health requires you to do so (or your doctor tells you to do so). One step at a time is really the only way we can walk. Keep stepping.
Breaking our health and fitness goals down into smaller steps can be helpful. When we see just what each goal entails, we can see where we need to ramp up or pare down. We do not have to take a giant leap into perfect fitness. We are simply looking to add some fun movement into our days. And in that simple search, we will find many treasures.
Masked Challenger: Exhaustion
Life is for spending, not saving. Our energy does not do us, or anyone, any good if we save it up. Energy is meant to be spent. The more you save, the less you will have. Spend your energy. It is one of the best investments you can make.
When we choose to push through our resistance to movement, we can find that place where things start to shift. Our attitudes relax and we feel the fun that movement can bring into our lives. We can be excited to give ourselves more movement and more love. Push through feelings of exhaustion or take a look at how you might slow down a little to find your sweet spot of motivation.
Masked Challenger: Lack of Confidence
With experience comes confidence. We do not just become totally physically fit once we decide to incorporate movement into our lives. We can begin to build up to that point first by thinking about exactly what being physically fit means to us. We do not just say, “I’m going to be a gymnast,” and then go do flips on the balance beam. There are many steps involved. And they all start with a dream in our head. Maybe it is a marathon that we want to run, or just walk around the block with our dog every night. Whatever it is, there are steps to make it happen. We can take them one at a time.
After we have worked our way from setting to establishing a goal, we often feel confident. And then we know we can set and follow through on goals for ourselves. That teaches us that we can always choose to expand our worlds.
Masked Challenger: Perfection
As we grow ourselves confident, we can stop double checking everything we do. We can relax into our moments of movement. When we find ourselves not enjoying what we are doing, we can simply stop and try something new.
There is almost always more than one way to accomplish something. When it comes to movement, you are not doing it wrong just because it is not the way someone else is doing it. Do it your way. We can get as creative as we want. We can change up our movement experiences whenever we want. (Doctor’s orders are to be followed, of course) How do you want to incorporate movement into your day? The answer to that question is the answer. No “right” or “wrong.” If you want to do it, that is the right thing for you.
If you are moving, it is a big deal. Do not compare yourself to anyone. Even to people who you judge as to be below your fitness level. If you judge people who are not as physically fit as you, you will probably also look at those who are above your level and you may feel inadequate. Do not look around you. Just look at what you are doing. Everyone’s movement is a big deal because they are doing it. Comparison gets us nowhere.
Embracing Our Masked Friends
We can choose to see our perceived challenges as opportunities in disguise. They are here to help us understand ourselves better. We can come to understand that our lives are made up of many choices and opportunities – and we can choose to be excited, rather than overwhelmed. We can push through our own walls and discover that spending energy creates more energy. We can develop our self-confidence by continuing to provide loving physical care and movement for our bodies. We can decide for ourselves what feels right for us. We can move beyond comparison and false notions of perfection. We can move in a way that is enjoyable to us.
Written by Dyan Diamond
Dyan Diamond is an inspirationalist, author and life coach. Dyan has a wealth of experience and education in psychology, advocacy, and in the helping field. Dyan is an intensely creative spirit. Her focus is on empowering others to accept themselves, love themselves, and to live their dreams.
You can find Dyan’s books and blogs at: http://dyandiamond.net
