| Dealing with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, | | | | discuss some of those steps next. |
| or things like compulsive overeating, can make it | | | | 5. Doing some exercise is better than no exercise. |
| especially difficult to add or maintain fitness as a | | | | Maybe when you first start exercising it is only 5 |
| regular part of everyday living. There are little | | | | minutes per day. I know, you're saying "Why |
| steps you can take to start incorporating | | | | even bother?" and to that I say "Why not?". That |
| motivation and fitness into your life even while | | | | 5 minutes of exercise gets you that much closer |
| struggling with these issues. | | | | to maybe 6, or 10, or eventually even 20. These |
| The first steps you take will lead to better | | | | are baby steps, so take the baby step of |
| feelings and more motivation: | | | | committing to five minutes per day of some |
| 1. Find inspiration around you. | | | | form of physical activity. |
| It might sound dull or even simple, but it can be | | | | The great thing about 5 minutes is that you can |
| the best first baby step you take. You can find | | | | rationalize with yourself that 5 minutes out of 24 |
| just about anything inspiring to lift your mood. | | | | hours in a day is so small that it's hilarious not to |
| Perhaps you admire someone famous and like | | | | do it each day. Make yourself laugh out loud if you |
| listening to what they have to say. Maybe you | | | | even think for one moment about not doing your |
| like watching birds outside your window or looking | | | | daily 5 minutes of exercise. |
| at them outside. Or you may even find something | | | | 6. Allow yourself the compassion to nurture, like, |
| on the internet that spurs you to be happier and | | | | and even love yourself. |
| brightens your day. Inspiration can come from | | | | This may be the toughest baby step of all, but |
| anything, anywhere, at any time- you simply have | | | | the process can be done in many, many baby |
| to look for it. | | | | steps over time. Making fitness part of your life |
| 2. Reach for that next happy moment. | | | | goals means caring enough about you to give that |
| Happiness produces more happiness, so each step | | | | gift to yourself. People void of self-love and full of |
| you take towards it gets easier. You don't have | | | | self-loathing on some level often indulge in |
| to start happy to be happy. You can reach for | | | | self-destructive behaviors, slip into a depression |
| the next best feeling you can get to, whatever | | | | cycle, or continue a path of behavior that |
| that may be. Maybe you feel just okay at the | | | | reinforces feeling bad about themselves. |
| moment, or maybe you're near suicidal- whatever | | | | You deserve to allow yourself the understanding |
| state you are in at any given moment, you can | | | | and nurturing that liking and loving yourself brings. |
| reach to that very next feeling and go there. You | | | | The only opinion of yourself that should count is |
| can get from that dark place to a bright place | | | | your own and taking steps to ensure your opinion |
| simply by allowing yourself to feel something a | | | | is beneficial is key. Think of exercise as a way to |
| tiny bit better than before. | | | | treat your body to what it deserves- the right to |
| 3. Make steps 1 and 2 a daily habit. | | | | operate at optimal efficiency so you can live the |
| Repetition makes things stick in our lives for | | | | like you want. |
| better or worse. We can choose to repeat | | | | So let's recap. The 6 little steps beyond |
| horrible habits that keep us stuck in a rut just as | | | | depression to better health are: |
| much as we can choose to incorporate healthier | | | | 1. Find inspiration everywhere. |
| habits to keep us happy. It is that simple. Even if | | | | 2. Reach for your next best feeling. |
| all you can do is find one inspiring thing per day | | | | 3. Make those 2 steps a daily habit. |
| and find one happier moment per day, that is one | | | | 4. Start things now. |
| more step closer to what you might ultimately | | | | 5. 5 Minutes of exercise daily. |
| like your life to be like. One step, even a baby | | | | 6. Nurture, like and love yourself- you deserve it! |
| step, counts to you gaining motivation and better | | | | Follow these 6 little steps and begin to see |
| perspective for your health. | | | | changes happen over time, one step at a time is |
| The next steps take you to incorporating | | | | key. Don't concern yourself with what others are |
| exercise into your life with fitness as a life goal: | | | | doing for their fitness only and unless it inspires |
| 4. Realize that not starting today is holding you | | | | you to keep going. Guilt and unhappiness are not |
| back from living fully. | | | | part of your journey when you incorporate these |
| Unfortunately, poor consequences often motivate | | | | steps into your life. Live your happiest life and be |
| people. More people hear and pay attention to the | | | | well with these little daily steps. |
| "no"'s and negatives than anything else in their | | | | Any opinions expressed in this article are from a |
| lives, as programmed from childhood on. Every | | | | layperson and are meant as a spiritual approach |
| single day you delay is another day out of your | | | | to health concerns. Nothing contained in this article |
| life that won't come back, but you can make a | | | | is meant to be used as medical advice or to |
| decision to start now. Decisions mean you are in | | | | replace any medical treatment. You should always |
| control and empowered. You have control over | | | | seek the attention of a qualified medical doctor |
| your own life and can make changes. | | | | for your medical needs. |
| Use your motivation and happiness factor to get | | | | (c) 2010 Andrea Mucci. All Rights Reserved. |
| yourself to take a first step towards health. We'll | | | | |