Out of shape? Get back on the saddle!

I’ll bet that each and every one of you has at some point thought, “Man, I am so out of shape. I’ll never be able to bounce back.”

Perhaps you’ve never been in great shape and now you’re considering any efforts toward that goal mission impossible. Or you could have been in terrific shape at some point and then boom — life happens and you feel like you’ve taken 20 steps backwards.

Either way, you’re looking to change things up and dream of hopping into that ship-shape saddle and trotting off into a world of looking and feeling great.

Folks, this is all about regrouping. I’m here to tell you we have some wonderful mentors from whom we can learn lots about turning it around in our lives when all hell breaks loose.

Adapt and Adjust to Life’s Twists and Turns.
Charles Darwin’s statement "it isn’t the strong or smart who survive, but instead, it is those who can adapt to life’s stresses who live." At the very core of survival is your ability to adapt and adjust to whatever tries to smack you down. Whether you were once athletic and then let it go, or you’ve never been in terrific shape, look at your life and figure out mini-strategies to adapt and adjust. Low on funds? Walk outdoors instead of on a health club treadmill. It’s never easy, but it’s always possible. Every day, hone your adapt and adjust skills. They’ll save your life.

Whatever happens in life doesn’t define you.
Whether it’s a medical condition, a physical disability, financial stresses, work, or personal challenges, don’t let the speed bump consume you. Stand up and take a long deep breath and say, “Nothing will ever touch my heart and soul, my inner core.”

Then make a plan and strategy to navigate your stress every inch of the way while also caring for yourself. Stop plowing through piles of pizzas when you’re feeling hopeless, and pick yourself up right now and take control of your life and your destiny.

Don’t just survive. Thrive. Live, laugh, love.
Those are the words by cancer survivor, Michelle Conley. She wanted to show herself that by laughing and loving, she could live life large. She’s a thriver, and she teaches all of us that the goal is not to eke out a joyless, unfulfilled existence, but instead to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and slug it out to reach your goal.

Keep Your Eyes on the Goal.
People, spend most of their time regretting their past actions and dwelling on their current state of overweight and lack of fitness, wallowing in hopelessness, helplessness, and defeat. We shall have none of that!

Sit down and create a blueprint for how you want to take the small steps toward getting in shape. You know my rant and rave. Look at every aspect of how, where, and with whom you live and work and begin to make changes that will allow you to get healthy.

Know your goal and keep yourself focused on the achievement. Use goals like: de-clutter the house, throw out junk food while cleaning the fridge, sign up for the walk/run for charity and begin to train, volunteer to help others at a nonprofit, reorganize your desk.

Notice that each of these objectives requires you to get up, stay vertical, and move around. What a win-win. You’ll have a clean space to get allow you to pursue your healthy living goal. And you’ll be cooking calories along the way. Then click onto the WebMD Food and Fitness Planner and let’s realize your healthy body goal.

Come on. Stand up tall and take command of your life right now. Choose to live. Get off the couch and hop right into that ship-shape saddle and ride away laughing, loving, and living.