Here are 4 key takeaways that have stood out for me over the last 2 months!

1. You do not need to train/exercise/move at 100% intensity every single time…it is ok to have an easy session if your body is telling you that it needs one. Listening to how your body feels is something we preach as coaches all the time. If you have sore or heavy legs and are about to do a running or gym session, should you drop the intensity and just get through the session rather than punishing your body even more?  How will you feel tomorrow if you smash the session? Even worse? Then maybe it’s a good idea to back off. These are some of my favourite types of sessions because mentally and physically you might just not be that into it however, you are still there, you are still doing something and you are putting “pennies in the bank” for when you need them.

2. Your body composition will take care of itself…exercising every day means you are burning more calories each day – meaning that your body is constantly looking for energy somewhere in the body. I have found myself still having pizza, burgers and beers and my body is still dropping body fat while adding muscle. I am not consuming these things in excess amounts (apart from probably the beers…) but just moving each day seems to be making slight but continuous changes to the way my body feels and looks. Exercising each day also means I am consciously making better decisions about what I am putting in my body. If I know I have a big session coming up, I need to eat properly the day before, the hour before or right after it so that I can get through that session. There is no worse feeling than rocking up to a lactic training session at the llamberris athletics track on a Thursday night, filled to the brim with a heavy lunch from Bay 6 (delicious burgers by the way). This is going to end up with me on all fours, in the bushes, feeling very unwell. To get the most out of myself and to feel good during and after that session, I consciously “eat to fuel” rather than eat to eat.

3. Variety is key and challenges keep you on task…I could happily go to the gym and run every day for the rest of my life. I enjoy both of those activities for many reasons so even though I am trying to exercise every day, those two things are something I could probably do without really thinking about it. However…if you are someone who struggles with monotonous tasks and repetition, then variety is your best friend. Changing the type of sessions you are doing enables you to get excited about moving, whether that’s a swim, a bike ride, walking the dog, taking a different running route, researching and experimenting with a new style of lifting – variety can keep your mind thinking “what’s next”. If you are lacking that drive or find yourself getting stale with exercise, then it’s time to go to the next level and create a purpose for what you are doing in the form of a challenge – such as the Melbourne Half Marathon or riding the 212 km Goldfields Track. We can then strive towards that goal with conviction, adding to the drive to move and exercise daily because you know that challenge will be all that easier if you prepare for it well.

4. Enjoy what you do and share your enjoyment with others…before working at the RADcentre, i couldn’t remember the last time i played basketball with mates – now as soon as the sun is out, myself, our staff and our members are like moths to a light – swarming the outdoor 3 on 3 courts with the desire to expend some energy in the sun, have a laugh and enjoy each others company. Finding enjoyment from exercising makes it so rewarding and enables you to cement it within your daily lifestyle. There are definitely days where I don’t feel like moving but I know how much enjoyment I get out of it so it is now something I just do. Find what type of exercise brings you joy and embrace it with open arms.

 
I am sure over the next 140 days, I will find some more things that really resonate with me but for now, these 4 really stand out. 

I must thank everyone who has reached out, whether you are moving for 200 days straight as well or whether you are just contemplating moving more, you are all absolute champions and I wish you the best with your exercise journey.

In these stressful times and economic woes, we need to look after ourselves so that you can look after the people that mean something to you – I find exercising helps with this so if you are battling, stressed or just want to chat, reach out – lets talk, lets exercise and let’s get through this together.

Linc 
-the guy who likes to exercise