getting started: understanding the investment

Last month we began a conversation about how to integrate fitness into daily life. We began by defining fitness, and then talked about the variety of options out there for different personalities.

The third step is understanding your current investment level. Before you make a plan (that’s coming up in step four), it’s helpful to understand what you have to work with today.

I want to help you get from point A (today) to point B (your ultimate goal). But jumping in too quickly can backfire, so it’s a good idea to take stock of what’s going on now to help you gain a clear perspective of how to get started (and create a plan that’s sustainable so you'll be able to gain traction, even as you hit the inevitable bumps later down the road).

Making a change in one area of your life will, by necessity create change in other areas of your life as well. It’s a constant balancing and recalibration of resources, motivation and action.

There are a few key ingredients to consider. The amount of each will vary greatly from person to person, so no looking over at your neighbors plan. They’re not going to help. This is about you. Your life and your goals. So...In no particular order (because, as with the amount, the level of priority will be different for each of us):

Time

Until someone comes up with a magic pill that allows us all the benefits of being fit with out spending the necessary hours, we need to devote some of this precious resource to working out. The key question is (duh), how much time to you have to spend? (Note: “none” or “not enough” are not acceptable answers.)

It’s about priorities. As I said above, our individual priorities and how we weight what’s more or less important to us are personal. But we also have to be realistic. If your goal is to climb Mt. Everest next year, but you’re launching a business, moving across the country, and just found out you’re having twins, you may not (and I’m just sayin’) have a lot of spare time to train appropriately for your goal.

What’s realistic for you? A couple of hours a day? Or a few hours a week? Can it be broken up? Can it be combined? What about time to get there? Will it require an extra shower?

Take a look at how (and where) you spend your time. How might you create more of it? Maybe it’s less television or twitter? Maybe it’s cooking larger portions less often so you can have leftovers at lunch. Can you wake up a wee bit earlier? Go to sleep a tad later?

Don’t be afraid to think creatively. Are you afraid of missing out on social engagements? Why not see working out as a social activity? Climbing gyms, running clubs and group bike rides can offer both at the same time.

Or maybe working out is your personal time to collect your thoughts and be alone. Can you let go of some housework?

Physical capabilities

Essentially, this question asks, “how fit are you right now?” What level of exertion are you able to sustain? If you have any questions about your health, make sure your doctor supports your fitness goals. A lot of times (okay, most times) we can do a lot more than we think we can. Our bodies are truly remarkable and often full of surprises.

That doesn’t mean you can wake up tomorrow and run a marathon. It just means that we can push ourselves sometimes and that’s a good thing.

Depending on the activity you’ve decided to pursue, test yourself. What are your limits? See how long you can walk or run before you need a rest. If you want to get into kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), can you swim? Are you recovering from an injury or illness?

Taking into consideration where you are now (and building your plan around it) can be instrumental in helping you sustain your motivation when things get tough.

Money

Some of us have a lot. Some of us are operating in the negative. Most of us are somewhere in the middle. The fact is, most areas of getting fit require some level of financial investment. Whether it’s a gym membership, a pair of running shoes or a brand new bike, having the right equipment or access to a facility can help you enjoy your workouts.

Someone once said, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment.” And I think there’s a lot of truth to that. Surfing in the rain was one of my favorite experiences in Hawaii, but if I hadn’t been wearing a wetsuit, I’d have been miserable and quite likely hypothermic.

Then there's the flip side to spending money... lots of people (and I'm totally guilty of this) buy gear they "think" they'll need, but end never (or rarely) using it. We'll talk more about buying gear when you're creating your plan, but make sure you have a budget for your new goal (and gain an understanding of what your new sport might cost to enter into). I decided to get into triathlons before realizing that a brand new bike would cost at least $1,000.

So take a look at your vision so far and check in with your wallet. What can you realistically afford to spend now? What's ahead?

Energy

This is probably the most important aspect to think about and also the most intangible to grasp. How much energy do you have right now?

I’m not talking the Catch-22 of motivation. (If you have energy, you’re more likely to want to go work out. But if you’re low on energy, working out could be the thing that injects you with much-needed energy.) I’m talking about your mental and emotional reservoir.

What else is going on in your life? Are you starting a new job (or building your own business)? Is there a new baby at home? Are your parents in good health, or are you providing care? Is your job draining you? Are your kids finally out of the house (or old enough to take on some additional chores)?

It’s absolutely true that working out and building fitness can help you build energy and strength. But if you haven’t begun yet, you’ll need to work with what you do have right now.

We typically get excited about making changes and begin with gusto and an abundance of energy. Yet so often our energy peters out and we’re left feeling discouraged and unmotivated.

What you want to do is create sustainable energy. (I’m planning on a full post on this topic, but for now, here are a few quick questions to consider.) What’s draining you right now? Can that change? What feeds you? Do more of that. Remember your vision. What can you do this week to move you forward a little bit each day?

If your plate is already overflowing, a huge fitness goal, while noble, may get left in the dust. What are some small things you can do for your health? Walk around the block ten minutes a day? Go outside at lunch? Stand up and stretch at your desk? Stop drinking sodas and add in more water?

Start small; plant seeds for your future health and allow your energy to grow without force.

what’s next?

Take a look at the four areas we’ve covered: time available; physical capabilities; finances; energy.

What do you have the most of? Where are your challenges? How does each component fit within your goal?

Next up, we’ll talk about developing the plan: what to consider when making a schedule, how to establish a routine, and what to do in anticipation of tough days.

And as always, please let me know what you think, how your progress is coming and what you’d like to hear more about. You can connect with me via twitter, facebook or simply comment here or send me an email.

Have a wonderfully active week.