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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIt’s easy to get caught up in thinking that we are who we WANT to be, but our actions are where the rubber hits the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Personally, I know it takes work to reconcile the person I want to be with the person that I actually am. Just like Benjamin Franklin had 13 Virtues<\/a> that he worked on regularly, I recognize that life is a continuous improvement journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n I started out an exploration of my self with the following statement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’m the kind of person who __________________.<\/strong>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each statement I make needs to be backed up with examples and proof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (John Templeton’s Templeton Plan<\/a> has 12 Laws of Life I like to use as a guide to measure against.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n One thing I know:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercising has been a part of my routine for most of my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From my teens, when I worked out with concrete filled weights in the basement, to today at 65 working out in my gym, exercising has been a default setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercising is part of who I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Less than 24% of us meet the CDC minimum guidelines for exercise<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all know that we should exercise and most of us want <\/em>to be the kind of person that exercises regularly. We all WANT the benefits of feeling good, sleeping well and maintaining a healthy weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what’s holding us back?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Actions are what gets things done. If we want something , we have to work for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So apply Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule and make it happen, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it were only it were that simple. But according to AH it’s not. It’s much deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chances are if you don’t exercise regularly it’s because you are wired that way. <\/strong>It’s literally part of your Identity to NOT exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sure, you may be able to stir up some motivation to go out and get a walk in, but when that motivation wanes, so does your routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of what we do in a day is done without thinking. It’s automatic and done out of habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think back to when you learned to drive a car. Every part of the process was thought through – checking the mirrors, putting on the seat belt, starting the car. Now, you do it without any cognitive thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Habit formation is a powerful part of the brain. Imagine if we had to think through every step of our day like everything we do was optional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We’d get very little done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All these things we do automatically make up who we are. Conversely, who we are drives what we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We still have the ability to change what we do – to run in manual mode – but our automatic processes will take over the minute we lose attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why? Because we have conditioned ourselves to the very core to do and BE a certain way. Changing permanently requires more than just changing the action; it requires changing identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks” naysayers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking certain cognitive actions can change Identity over time. Where Habits come from Identity, Identity is also formed by Habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And Habits can be changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you run in ‘manual’ mode for a while as you think through your actions, you can cognitively rewire your brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is the very essence of of Cognitive Behavior Therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And if you do it right by using 1) the automatic processes already wired in your brain, 2) incentive and reward systems, and 3) patience, it can be very easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identity = Beliefs and Values. Your actions (habits) are the manifestation of your Identity and your Identity is tied to your beliefs and values.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your actions are subsequently a reflection of what you value and believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Words are both a reflection of what you believe and also have a huge impact on what you believe. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Negative self-talk will not propel you forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statements like “I’m not the kind of person that likes exercising.” or “I’ve never been an exerciser.” will not help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’ll start exercising after I retire and have more time.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is something we frequently hear from those getting close to retirement. The core belief here is that not having enough TIME is the reason for not exercising. The truth is that exercise doesn’t have a PRIORITY. IF it did, they would be exercising first thing in the AM with the rest of our time strapped members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no better example to demonstrate the relationship between Habits, Outcomes and Identity than Eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you eat a lot of Sugar (Process), the Outcome could very well be Obesity and your Identity would be of someone that is Obese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your identity has been formed over many years. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, but it takes time and patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be able to change the OUTCOME quickly, but if you are not successful in changing the root – your Identity – the chance of sticking with the outcome change is low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best you can expect from a quick fix is establishing one or two good habits that stick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming “the kind of person that exercises regularly” starts with exercising regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You make a schedule. You buy some nice exercise clothes and shoes. You put together an exercise schedule, and then, at the specified time, you put on your clothes and shoes and go our for a nice 10 minute walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And here is where the data collected on habits can really help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are things you can do to give yourself the best chance ever of sticking with a routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it’s all in the book Atomic Habits by James Clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the book or just join one of our Free Healthy Habits Challenges and learn what works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ron<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Atomic Habits got me thinking. It makes the case that your habits actually “embody” your Identity. You are what you do. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that we are who we WANT to be, but our actions are where the rubber hits the road. Personally, I know it takes work to reconcile … Continue reading Being Someone Who Exercises Regularly<\/span> Taking Inventory <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I’m the kind of person who exercises regularly.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
But That’s Not the Case for Most Americans.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
“Just Do It” Already<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Good News!: You CAN Rewire Your Identity<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Considerations for Your Quest:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Words Matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your Brain Will Rationalize Any Bad Habit You Have. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You Are What You Eat.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Quick Fixes Don’t Work!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Working on Identity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n