Well, it is only two more days until the 'kickoff' of the November challenge, and I thought I would provide you with some ideas about how best to prepare.
Mostly, it can be a battle of the mind to get yourself started, especially if you haven't exercised for a while, or if you're forcing yourself to do this for health reasons, but you don't really want to.
Personally, I'm feeling quite pumped about it!
I have wanted to get back into exercising for so long, so it feels good to be actually doing something about it. Also having the other 'challengers' doing it alongside me to help keep me motivated, is a real plus! So thank you to those joining in.
(Haven't signed up yet? Don't worry, there's still time! Go here to see the details!)
I have already talked about making an appointment with yourself in your diary or dayplanner, so make sure you do that. It makes it much easier to stick to something when it is written down, because you can hold it and read it, rather than it just being an idea in your head. It also makes it a bit harder NOT to do it, as you have to actually cross it out, or see it all day in your diary not done. If it's just a thought in your head, one 'poof' and it's gone! You get the picture?
Here are some other ways to mentally prepare yourself:
* Make sure your workout clothes are clean and ready to wear. You've got two days to get them washed and dried if they need to be.
* Get yourself some supportive, comfortable shoes that are appropriate for the activity you are going to be doing, (if you haven't already). You don't want to do yourself an injury, just as you've got started. The same goes for a good sports bra.
* I'm not in the habit of telling people to leave things lying around the house and not where they belong, but perhaps just for the next couple of days, leave your prepared workout clothes out where you will regularly see them. That way, every time you do see them, you will be reminded of what you're about to do.
* Make yourself up a motivating playlist. There's nothing better than exercising to music that makes you feel good. It helps you to add that little bit of extra effort that you wouldn't necessarily have put in, if you weren't imagining yourself up on stage belting out a tune with Pink. Or maybe that's just me. Anyway, Rachel from Redcliffe Style has some great ideas. To view her latest playlists, click here and here.
* Make sure your Ipod, MP3 player, phone or whatever you're using is fully charged! There is nothing more frustrating than starting out on a workout and having your motivating music stop a few minutes later. Also, if you are going to be using your DVD player for doing DVD workouts, make sure it is working.
* Know ahead of time, what activity you are going to do. This won't be an issue if you are going to be just walking for the thirty days, but if you are going to be cross training, make sure you have a schedule.
* Workout with a friend! It is much harder to cancel when someone else is relying on you!
* Once the challenge has started, put on your workout gear first thing in the morning. Of course, if you have to go to work, or a meeting/appointment, you won't be able to, but if you are taking kids to school/kinder/daycare before running errands and doing normal housewifey stuff, then you can do all of those things in your exercise clothes. That way, you're ready to get stuck into it as soon as you can. It will also be a constant reminder that you still need to do it for the day.
* Have the endgame in sight. Keep reminding yourself of your reasons for doing the challenge and what you want to achieve out of it, whether it be improved health and fitness, weight loss or being a good role model for your family.
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Hopefully, the things I've mentioned will help you to prepare and get your mind around starting on November 1st.
Don't forget to join my Facebook page, or you'll miss all the daily updates during the challenge. The link is over to the right.
And don't forget to share this with friends and family! The more people that join in, the merrier!
Tracey
Linking up with Jess for IBOT