Flexibility. It’s everything in succeeding in this health and fitness journey. Everything.
No, not that kind of flexibility. That’s totally me, by the way…. Okay, you got me. That’s not me. This is me:
Not bad for a woman the far side of forty carrying about ten extra pounds, eh? I’ve always been flexible. In my body, that is. In my mindset, however, I cannot make that claim. I have been known to have an all or nothing mindset.
I went over on my calories by 10? Forget this! I’ll have a slice of cheesecake, too!
My knee is aching and I can’t run? Might as well skip the workout entirely.
Not enough time for a 90 minute yoga session? Why even bother.
Time was, I did this all the time. It’s why it took me a dozen or so tries to complete the C25K. It’s why I’ve started over again so many times. Although my body was flexible, my mind was not. Little by little, however, I’m learning flexibility. I think it was my determination to finish the C25K program this time that really helped me learn flexibility. I faced sickness and bad weather, but I didn’t let them derail my efforts. I found ways to work my exercise plans around what was going on in my life.
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. ~Tony Robbins
I’d never heard this quote until I went looking for one for this post, but it’s been my unspoken mantra for months now. This attitude is what helped me complete the C25K. This attitude is what keeps me moving daily now.
Last week, my youngest was sick from school every. single. day. Instead of using it as an excuse to put my feet up, I was flexible. I ran in the evenings. I ran on my husband’s coffee break so he could watch the lad. I skipped my pool workout and worked out at home.
Today, I should be out running. But we are experiencing the worst snowstorm in my memory in Belgium. No way is a run happening on the roads. So I started forming backup plan after backup plan. Take the bus to the gym or to the pool. No buses running. Go hike through the snow after dropping the kids off at school. No school. Put in some time on the stationary bike. Do some yoga. Shovel snow.
Flexibility. It’s what’s going to get you to your health and fitness goals. Have a plan, but be flexible in its application. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go break up a fight, build up a sweat, and keep my plans on track.
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