Welcome to day 20 of decluttering to free your home and your mind.
How long since you have ridden a bike, or used your exercise equipment? Let's face it, the world's most expensive coathanger is often an exercise machine. We buy these things with the best of intentions only to have them sit silently and take up space. Their only purpose is to make us feel shame that we aren't using or wearing them. If only our intentions helped us be as fit and healthy as we wanted to be, I would be an Olympic athlete.
Do you use it? The equipment, the clothing? Serious consideration, do you use it as effectively as you wanted to when you first bought it? Are your exercise clothes in the same pristine condition as when you bought them? If they are, you need to either use it or lose it.
Even more shocking, have you bought exercise wear in a size smaller, so that when you lose weight, you will fit into it? And then never wear it, but you do keep it, Just in Case. I will put my hand up as a guilty party in doing this previously.
Similar to your kitchen appliances, firstly check that it is in good working order, or clean and wearable. If it doesn't fit comfortably get rid of it.
If you aren't going to seriously use that bit of gym equipment, sell it, donate it or give it away.
The most important part of any exercise plan is to sit down. Sit and visualise exactly what it is that you want to achieve. Picture your perfect physical condition. Create a vision board. Get inspired. If you can dream it, you can achieve it.
Make a plan. If you are going to keep that exercise clothing, then wear it. Sometimes, the mere act of dressing the part will encourage you exercise. Put on the exercise shoes, walk to the letter box and back each day. Then one day, walk to the end of the block, and increase as you want. The longest journey begins with a single step. I purchased a kayak last week. My goal is to use it on the Swan River at least once a week. Last Friday I went out on the river for two hours and had the most glorious time rowing around, throwing in a fishing line. The sun was shining, people waved and chatted, I felt marvelous. Who wouldn't want to spend a few hours a week feeling this good?
Disclaimer: This picture is not on the Swan River, there are no mountains right near where I am currently living. It is very hard to get a photo of yourself in a kayak. I will wait until I can get a friend to take one of me, and then post it in another blog. In the meantime, just see this and know that is how I felt!
The added benefit is that if you increase your fitness before you go on holiday, you will participate more in physical activity on the holiday. You will also mentally feel good if you look as good as you want to. It is a win win all around.
We do not need expensive equipment or expensive clothing to be as healthy as we desire, we need intention followed by action.
Cleanse yourself of any exercise related gear that you are not going to use, and use the gear you are promising yourself right now that you will.
Reward yourself with something special after this cleanse today. You deserve it!
Please feel free to comment about your cleanse today, and enjoy the rest of the decluttering series.
Happy Travels!
