"I shouldn't have taken that yoga class," said no one ever. 

I love this saying, primarily because it emphasizes that there is no downside to movement and how beneficial exercise is for our mind and body. I am personally drawn to yoga because it delicately guides us towards self-exploration and introspection. 

We are all different and are drawn to various forms of exercise. To become or stay motivated to exercise, we have to find something that we love to do. This ensures that exercise remains a pleasant and rewarding experience rather than a chore. As much as I enjoy an invigorating yoga practice, @marca_yogafitness being my go-to, there are days I enjoy a brisk walk, a Pilates class, or some weight training. 

What forms of movement do you enjoy?

Now, there are those days when sitting around like a slug seems tempting. Maybe I didn't have a good night's sleep and downing a pot of coffee seems like the best remedy. Or perhaps I indulged in too much comfort food the day before and am feeling lethargic. I might have a work deadline and don't have the time to squeeze in a workout. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood and am convinced that binging Netflix is the answer. There are also those days when everything is moving along smoothly, and I'm just feeling downright lazy.

Indeed, these are the days when movement is most important. I'm not saying that a cup of coffee won't help, but that it's just a quick fix. The key to our daily well-being, both physical and emotional, is movement. Ten out of ten times, if I force myself to add movement to my day, it becomes a better one. The hardest part is just getting started.

Here is a trick I often use – it's called "the 5-second countdown." I decide what my activity will be, then say it out loud, and immediately count down from 5 to 1. This countdown is, in essence, an urgent deadline, a prompt for "blast off!" Our minds are naturally goal-oriented, wired towards achieving success. Setting this 5-second timer pushes us towards action and accomplishment, not allowing any time for contemplation! 5-4-3-2-1… and I'm on my mat in a downward-facing dog!

So why is exercise essential for us anyway? Why should we incorporate some form of movement into our daily lives? Here are some of the most fundamental reasons... 

 Exercise:

• improves quality of sleep

• helps manage a healthy weight

• reduces risk of heart disease

• protects against many chronic diseases

• helps manage blood sugar and insulin levels

• improves mental health and mood

• reduces feelings of anxiety and depression

• keeps our minds sharp and promotes good judgment and behavior

• improves joint pain and stiffness

• assists in maintaining muscle strength and balance

• increases life span

• helps curtail habits we have that do not align with our goals

You would think knowing all the benefits of exercise would be enough to jump-start our motivation every time, but for all our good intentions and strategies, at the end of the day, we are only human.

I have had those days when, ehh, I'm just not budging, and I succumb to a sedentary day. To be honest with you, those are the days I feel my worst. Any negative emotion I am harboring soon escalates, and the little physical energy I have quickly declines. 

With that said, I don't beat myself up with negative self-talk. I accept and respect my decision and move forward with the optimistic attitude that the sun will rise again tomorrow, and I'll have another shot! 

While always addressing yourself with self-love and patience, find that physical activity that you love the most… 5,4,3,2,1…. BLAST-OFF!