Find your 'why'

Physical fitness starts with motivation

Charlotte Walters
Guest columnist
The Valley Echo
November 30, 2020

Charlotte Walters

We have almost made it to the end of this very unpredictable year of 2020. Christmas lights have gone up early in anticipation of a brighter holiday and a new start coming January 1.    

There is a fight not to allow the darkness of the time change dictate our mood. We are all tired of the negativity, the financial burdens, the lack of social contact this year has brought to our psyche.   

It feels like our little valley community is taking a deep breath and moving forward with future planning, businesses and our outdoor lifestyle. 

What is the motivation to pivot in life instead of watching life go by wishing for the past? Is it being tired of the status quo? Is it looking forward to the future and wanting life to be different?  

As a physical therapist, this is a key conversation with my patients when it comes to healing, modifying movement patterns to counteract the past injuries and to meet new physical goals.  

Physical performance looks different for each person. Some folks just want to get out of bed in the morning without their foot hurting as it hits the ground. Others have a need to reach to their upper cabinet without neck pain. There are some who need to train for a marathon but cannot get those extra miles due to an achy knee.   

Are these physical goals enough to motivate a person to change course and do the hard thing by changing a habit?  

How many times do we all sit on the couch and say we need to start exercising or attempt to run that mile again but the same old knee pain pops up and we just give up? Physical goals are usually not met unless the mental ones are addressed first. 

The mental goal is the “why” of any change. Sure, we do not want to have pain, but why? Why do you want to get out of bed without foot pain? 

Perhaps it would allow you to start your day in a better mindset. If your foot did not hurt, you could stand in the kitchen and smile at your kids in the morning, instead of bark orders. If your foot did not hurt, you could go on that walk with your friend who makes you laugh at life instead of grumble. If your foot did not hurt, you could join that running club each week because running has always been your stress relief and allows you to be mentally present for your loved ones.   

Not much has been accomplished in the long term when it comes to physical change unless there is a deeper why behind the goal. The days you want to give up, remind yourself of your deeper why and the immediate task becomes miniscule compared to your long term goal.   

Do not let the year 2020 dictate your future. Find your deep why and pivot; get off the couch and change your status quo.