"Intent is what fills the car with gas".
I've been obsessively reading @jayshetty 's "Think Like a Monk," and I came upon this jewel of a quote. When it comes to sticking to an exercise routine, whether it for be for fitness, wellness or injury prevention, I have never seen a more fitting quote.
Let me explain. I have had chronic right shoulder issues since I was in college. My shoulder has a lack of stability due to issues with my labrum, and so strengthening exercises are the best thing for it. In fact, my shoulder will go from feeling "meh" to significantly better after performing a certain set of exercises.
So where is this going? After a couple of weeks of being gung-ho about doing these exercises, I slip a day. Then two days. Then two months. Then it starts bothering me again. I start the exercises again and it feels better. The cycle continues.
The moral of the story? When I feel like I "should" do my exercises, or "ought" to do them, or "need" to do them, I lose the motivation gradually over time. And the reason is intent.
Why do I want to do my exercises? Why do I want to keep my shoulder strong? Maybe so I can play more tennis, or have a long lasting career as a physical therapist, or maybe just so my arms can look good in sleeveless shirts.
Then the narrative changes from I "should" do my exercises to I "want" to do my exercises and I "must" do my exercises. There's no choice in the matter, because it is the fuel that keeps me going to reach and achieve my goals and these janky shoulders are not going to stand in my way!
I know many of you probably feel the same way. It's so disheartening to feel like you lose steam or fall out of a routine. But when that happens, know that you just need to re-establish your intent. Intent will change over time. You may (and probably should) have different motivations when you are 20 versus when you are 40. But reconnecting with your true intent is key to your success.
Y'all share your stories if you have had similar experiences. I would love to help you in building YOUR intent so you can meet your fitness goals
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