Enjoy The Day - Make Fitness Fun

Having a Nice Day Can be Arranged
By Bernard L. Gladieux, Jr.

Having a nice day seems like almost everyone's casual wish for everyone else, and it seems to be a mostly pleasing sentiment for most of us most of the time.

But when it actually comes down to making the arrangements for that nice day, then actually having it, putting it together either for ourselves or anyone else can take some concentrated effort.

For those who routinely engage in physical exercise or athletic training, nailing a truly nice or great or unbelievably terrific day often hinges on having that kind of a workout. When you experience a run or a ride or a walk or a stint on the stair-climber that leaves you quiveringly spent but elated, uplifted, energized and emotionally satisfied, everything else tends to drop into place. Minor distractions, irritations and even heavy burdens seem to fall away and appear in their proper perspective in your overall scheme of things.

So, if such feelings and daily experiences elude you, why not try to create your own nice day? Everyone is entitled to as many of them as can be arranged. Here are some thoughts on how you might go about it.

Weather:
Some athletes can have fun whatever the conditions or circumstances. You are much freer when you don't much care whether it is raining or freezing or blowing in your face.

Here you might consider a two pronged approach. If weather does make a difference to you, check the forecasts when you start to build your weekly schedule. Additionally, you can gradually start to gear up for harsher, more uncomfortable weather and to adapt to changing conditions. It can be as simple as putting on a rain jacket and a pair of heavier gloves.

Start slowly, in barely marginal weather, you might be surprised at how tough you really are. You might also consider something entirely different. To wit: walk instead or run, ride instead of walk, swim instead or ride, lift weights instead of walk. Let your imagination carry you to a new place.

Plan and Block:
Pick a day when you think you will be relatively free to arrange some interrupted time for yourself. Maybe it will come at the end of a major project or event or at a time when those who regularly depend on you will be away or preoccupied. Give yourself as much leeway as you can, a free and leisurely workout is best for most people, but a short workout is nearly always better than no workout at all. When in doubt, go out!

Rest:
When you know that your planned session will be unusually long or hard or if you are hoping to set some kind of a performance goal, get a good sleep and take a one or two day training break in the days beforehand. Plan to take a day or two or more of rest or easy exercise following any extraordinary effort. Such a mix of training and rest also prepares you to taper effectively for any competitive events that may tempt you in the future.

Mind Games:
Having a truly great day depends largely on how you perceive the experience in your own thoughts. Work yourself up as you approach the target day in the most positive frame of mind you can muster. Go through your chosen rituals deliberately; they help you to screen out local static and negative influences and to focus your inner energies. Consider yourself free and unencumbered. Approach your workout from that perspective.

You may have to re-enter the fray after your cool down, but chances are you will still feel stronger and more resilient when you do.

Repeat Ad Lib:
Once you have taken charge of your physical exercise program, whatever personalized form it may take, you will find it progressively easier to build into it the elements that allow you to recreate a quality experience time after time.

In Good Heath,
Bernard L. Gladieux, Jr.
President and Founder
The Pressure Positive Company®

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