Consistency

Often people go to extremes to improve their wellbeing. They sign up for marathons, eat restrictive diets, and sit for hour-long meditations. They start, stop, and lose hope.

I've been there. I've gone to unsustainable and unhealthy extremes, focused on outward appearances rather than on energy, balance, core, flexibility, relaxation, focus, tranquility, and physical ability.

To lose weight, I'd run hard for miles one day followed by weeks of inactivity. I didn’t stretch. I didn’t pause to breathe.

Things came to a head when I found myself alone in the Swiss Alps, raising two small children, and going through a divorce. Evenings, I had no adult social interaction. I sat at my desk writing articles for the local magazine and did my bookkeeping.

Fearing I might injure my back carrying my then-two-year-old, I committed to weekly strength training with a trainer, who happened to also be my kids’ karate instructor.

One day, after listening to me talk about my fears about the divorce, my trainer said: “Why don’t you come to karate class tomorrow night? You can try it three times for free.”

I booked a babysitter and let me tell you: that first karate class changed my life.

It was social. I met other adults who were kind, positive, fit, and helpful.

It was mindful: I couldn’t think of anything else during training and the "kiais' or short shouts while punching focused me on breath.

It was physical: it was cardio and strength training combined and it got my heart rate up without killing me.

It was healthy: we stretched before and after class.

It was consistent: I committed to two classes a week. I rarely missed a class. There were times early on when I didn’t feel like going, but not wanting to waste the money I had spent on the babysitter forced me out the door.

It was spiritual: I became more tranquil than before. Karate has helped me let go of things I couldn't change.

Now, 17 years later, I find myself a black belt, training three to six times per week. Tonight, I’m in Scotland for a summer camp that has drawn over 100 karateka from all over the world, including the trainer who introduced me to the martial art. Karate has helped me with stability, strength, and stamina in other sports, including horseback riding, skiing, hiking, cycling, and running.

I have come a long way in my thinking about movement and wellbeing. I no longer want to destroy my body with extreme runs or sedentary living. I don’t like allowing more than a couple days go by without movement.

What do you do consistently every week, no matter how small? Send us an email with your questions here.