Warmer weather often inspires us to get out of the house, stirring us beyond our mundane routines and rituals into action and activity.
This month, I’m going to try mobilizing some of this sweet spring motivation to help increase my energy, balance my hormones, spend more quality time with family, reduce any anxiety, improve my health, decrease depression symptoms, bond more deeply with friends, get some much-needed time to myself and finally to sleep more soundly!
How might you ask will I be able to accomplish all of those goals in just one month?
Easy. I’m going to employ just one simple tool… and no, it’s not a magic wand.
Drumroll please…. I’m going to EXERCISE!!
And I’m going to be smart about it, including my family and friends so that while I’m improving my mood, reducing stress and lowering my risk factors for disease, I’ll also be filling my tank for connection and relationship with those who matter most to me.
Instead of having different goals each week, this month I’m going to create a series of weekly goals centered on exercise but extending to other areas I want to invest in like having more family fun, keeping my kids active, getting time to myself and making space to connect with a friend. This way, I’m accomplishing multiple things at once to help achieve balance and make exercise a realistic and enjoyable part of my lifestyle while using some test boosters to get better results.
Exercise Agenda
- Exercise at least twice a week with my family for fun bonding time
- Exercise at least once a week with a friend for camaraderie and support
- Exercise at least once a week on my own for reflection and rejuvenation
Exercise Ideas
- Family – Find age appropriate outdoor activities to do with your family. Explore new trails to hike, take up biking, swimming, roller blading or canoeing. Learn a new sport like Frisbee golf or play an old favorite together like basketball or sand volleyball. Switch it up to keep it fun and interesting. If your kids are infants or toddlers, consider using a jogging stroller and then end at a park where they can run, play and get their exercise too.
- Friends – Take a brisk walk and talk along the way, join a weekly yoga, Pilates or Zumba class together (sometimes its easier to try something new with a friend!) or go to the gym together to stay focused and motivated with cardio and strength training.
- Solo – Choose your favorite type of exercise and invest in yourself. For me, this would be a walk or jog along a nature trail. Try taking your yoga mat outdoors for a fresh change of pace or learn isometric exercises to strengthen your muscles without the need for heavy equipment or taking a trip to the gym. Do you like bike riding – (hover here for more info)? Whatever activity you choose, use this time to reflect and release any built up stress or tension.
I hope the varied strategy of including exercise in a variety of ways will inspire you to stay active this summer while keeping you centered and connected to yourself and others.
FREE MAY FITNESS GOALS PRINTABLE – CLICK IMAGE TO PRINT!
Love this printable AND the motivation photos you have. I need to plaster those everywhere!
I really need to get better about exercising, especially now that it’s warmer out.
Great goals! I need to do something like this once I’m okay’d for exercise (postpartum!). Thanks for the printable!
I am off to a slow start this week, since my workload is insane. I have done a bit of gardening and have been making an effort to get moving more… next week shouldn’t be too crazy, so I can get more serious.