Finding Your “Why” Through Movement
Do you have a hard time finding a reason that motivates you to start honoring your body with movement?
Today I want to help you find your “why” through movement so it can help you achieve the goals you’re wanting to achieve!
When setting a goal, you want to ask yourself three questions:
What is the goal?
Why do you want to achieve this goal?
How are you going to make sure to get it done?
It’s easy to confuse your ”what” with your “why” and that is why it is important to distinguish the two.
For example, it’s common for people to think their “why” behind working out is to lose weight. While there is nothing wrong with that, this isn’t your “why”.
It’s actually your “what”. Your “why” is the purpose behind wanting to reach your goal. It’s the actual real reason you’re doing what you’re doing.
So if your “what” is to lose weight, you then need to figure out why you want to lose weight.
If you’re wanting an example of a “why”, check this out:
A subscriber of the Movement With Julie app, Courtney, said:
“As I followed Julie and her program more closely, I learned how to determine what my real “why” was. It wasn’t about weight. It was to feel and be healthy so that I can show up as the best version of myself for myself, my husband, and my son.”
Instead of focusing on your goal, try to dig deeper into your “why” setting this goal.
Is it because you’re experiencing low energy, or your not happy with where you’re at in your journey, or are you experiencing or have experienced health issues that prompted you to change?
Whatever the real reason, the deep reason is for having the goal, that is your “why”. Once you have that, I encourage you to turn it in your health and fitness mission statement. Something that you will repeat and remind yourself every single day with.
Here’s an example of my “why”: To honor my body daily to feel my best so I can show up to all the areas of my life that need me to show up as the best version of myself, physically, mentally and spiritually!
I asked some other women what their “why” was inside my Movement With Julie community and here’s what they are saying:
“My “why” is the mental benefits: stress relief, massive confidence boost, quality time with my husband and dogs, and better sleep! I can’t believe how much better I get at night if I get my workout in during the day.” – Lauren C.
“My “why” is longevity. I believe it is important for me to be there for my family, especially the grandchildren.” – Kathy O.
“My “why”: While physical benefits are great, I’d say the emotional and mental benefits surpass those.” – Elizabeth D.
“Why? Because I deserve to be healthy, both physically and mentally.” – Myranda W.
“My “why” is to show my son what a healthy lifestyle is. I didn’t have one growing up, but I want to show my son (and hopefully more kids) what it’s like to honor your body.” – Whitney F.
“My “why” for doing what I do is because I want to be the best version of myself for my family and friends, and because it’s an anxiety relief for me. I love feeling strong physically and mentally, and movement allows me to do that.” – Julia M.
Achieve any goal you have with these 4 easy steps:
Define Your Priorities
Write down a piece of paper with the 3-5 most important aspects of your life.
It could be your family, friends, career, hobbies, etc. Whatever it is for you, it’s important that you clearly define what these priorities are in your life, as it will help you to create boundaries that protect those priorities and helps you reach your goals.
How do you feel toward each of these aspects of your life right now?
Do you feel like you’re showing up as your best self for each one?
Ask yourself one simple question for each aspect: “If nothing changed in one year from now, everything was exactly the same, would I be happy?”
If you said “no” to that, try this:
Visualize what your life would look like one year from now for each one of your priorities if you show up as your best self.
This means, you’re visualizing yourself as your most energized, confident and happy self in each of these areas of your life.
What would happen?
What would it look like if you showed up to work with more confidence?
What would it look like if you showed up for your family or kids with more energy to give?
What would it look like if you showed up to your favorite hobbies with renewed passion, and excitement for the future?
Wouldn’t that be amazing, right?
2. Pay Your Dues
If you want to show up, your daily through action you will need to align with your “why.”
Remind yourself of your “why” whenever you’re tired, stressed, or frustrated.
On the days you just don’t feel like moving, simply ask yourself this question: “If you decide to skip the quick 30 minutes of movement, would that bring you closer to your goal?”
Likely the answer to that question will be “No”.
Knowing your “why” doesn’t mean it’s going to magically be easier or more comfortable, it still requires you to work hard.
Without putting in the hard work in, you’ll never get there.
It’s that simple.
Each time you’re about to skip out on your priorities, remind yourself about the priorities you defined.
This could be something you write on your mirror so you see it, or photos that you have of your family, or a vision board that you made to look at daily. Somehow, you have to remind yourself of the deeper reason WHY you’re choosing to put in the work to become the best possible version of yourself.
After you do that, ask you the question one more time, would you rather skip your workout and continue feeling the way you’re feeling right now, or would you rather pay the price now and making progress to become your best self?
The answer should be easy when it’s connected to something that you really care about!
3. Share Your Why
When you know your “why,” don’t just stop there; make an effort to share it with your family and friends, whoever has the most significant influence on you.
Remember that the people who are truly suppose to be in your life are the ones that want to see you achieve your goals and see you living life in your best self!
Sometimes the biggest obstacle you may face in the quest to achieve your goal is not from your willpower, discipline, or motivation – instead, it is the pushback you experience from family, friends or people that are closest to you.
Most likely these people aren’t trying to be our biggest obstacle when it comes to us reaching our goals, but let’s be real, they are.
The first step in gaining their support of your goals is to ask them. Now it seems straight-forward but often times we forget to go to the basics to even ask for it. You can’t just assume they are going to give it to you if you haven’t talked to them about the importance this goal is to you and ask if they would support you.
Let them know how important it is for you to gain their support, but in doing that, remind them that you don’t expect them to join you, but would appreciate if they would respect you decision to live a healthier lifestyle. When asking for their support, you need to be specific in what way you need their support.
A simple example of this: At the beginning of the month you sit down and share your monthly goals with them and why they’re important to you and then asking for them to remind you of what you told them, so that on the days you are not feeling it, their reminder will help you take action towards your goals… which leads to the last and final step of achieving your goals.
4. Determine Your “How”
Now that you know “what” you’re doing and “why” you’re doing it, let’s talk about “how” you’re going to do it.
Without having your “how” it will be very difficult to actually follow through on any of the goals that you set.
Like stated earlier, it doesn’t really matter what your “why” is if you don’t have a plan for how your going to successfully reach your goal. Determining the “why’ without the “how” is just talking the talk but never walking the walk.
For example, my “why” is to continue and feel confident in myself so that I can show up in all the various roles that I play in my life in my best self with energy, passion and get stuff done!
My “how” is to schedule my movement like I do appointments into my calendar so that I can honor my body with movement everyday for at least 30 to 45 minutes. My movement will look different each day, but will always be a priority and be treated accordingly.
Comment below with what does it look like for you with your fitness journey. If you’re not sure, join the Movement With Julie App today, and I’ll help you find yours!
xx,
Julie
