When it comes to habits, they say it takes 66 days to make a behavior automatic and be able to truly adapt to a different behavior. So often I try to discipline myself to do something and end up not being able to follow through. The prime example: working on my fitness.

I go through fitness ebbs and flows. I’ll get myself in a great groove, exercising in some form daily, eating well, and generally feeling great. Then something happens. I miss a gym day, I eat a sundae, I’m too tired, too busy, too…something. And whoop there it is, I end up binging on reality tv and junk food for a week. All the hard work is ruined, and starting back up is so difficult because I build up in my head how much of a time and energy commitment it would be. Recently, it has been so difficult to just get back in the swing of things and I finally decided to just put my gym clothes on. As soon as they were on I figured I will take a baby step and just show face at the gym, even if I just stay 15 minutes. I arrived and ended up doing some cardio, although the gym was basically a deathtrap (Note to self: using the free apartment gym is basically never a good idea-time to get a gym membership out here).

I have really adopted the mantra that no matter how I feel I will get up, dress up, show up, and never give up. The key is just showing up and placing yourself in the situation you want to be in. Once you are there, chances are you will stay awhile. Do this repeatedly, and a new habit is formed. You also look pretty darn good after all of that. I’ll take it!