Meditation is a powerful tool for helping the mind live in the present moment. Neuroscience increasingly supports that mindfulness and meditation improve perception, attentiveness, and strategic thinking.
I have spoken before about how I have addressed my relationship with sleep. Where previously I would break night and get little to no sleep, nowadays I am in bed by 11:30 pm and up by 6:30 am. But really quickly, I ran into a problem; now that I was up, what would I do?
I started off by just taking a shower and starting breakfast for my wife and me. This later turned into me listening to an audiobook as I prepped breakfast and then, after eating, took a shower. The ladder of the two allowed me to complete the book Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, but I still felt like I needed to be more there with my morning routine.
As of the 18th of March, I have been waking up at 6:30 am and doing the following:
urinate
wash my hands and brush my teeth.
weigh my self
10 minutes on the elliptical
ab workout (using Six Pack in 30 Days app)
meditate
Initially, I would do the elliptical daily because I wanted no days off. As a creature of habit, I don't want to allow myself a day off. To be fair, however, I am, for the most part, doing about 10 minutes on the elliptical; I am not saying that as though to minimize it but rather to express that my intention in all of this is not to strain myself but rather to maintain momentum.
The addition of the ab workout came about as such.
I was looking at apps compatible with Google Fit [yes, I have an Android], and I came across the Six Pack in 30 Days app. I used it for a couple days and really liked it, so I bought the pro version, which was less than $6.00 USD. The pro version removes ads, which can be really annoying. But here's why I like this app.
The application allows you to set the alarm, so a notification will appear with some encouraging phrase reminding you that a day's workout is all it takes. Its interface is simple; I appreciate that they didn't try to make navigating complicated.
When you initially open the app, it allows you to select your workout level. There are three workout levels you can choose from: Lose Belly Fat, Rock Hard Abs, and Six Pack Abs; I am on the beginner level.
After the initial setup, entering the app will allow you to select the day you are on; each level has 30 days. Selecting start shows you the list of workouts you will be doing, which are usually 15, but each takes about 30 seconds. The cool thing about this app is that there's a voice that instructs you on what you'll be doing next and even gives you some tips as you do the workout. Between each exercise, there is a break period of 30 seconds, and the voice informs you of what's next. But adding further value is a clock that is visible as you take your rest period and ticks away as you complete the workout.
And as if those neat features weren't enough, the app has rest days built into those 30 days!
After an excellent workout, I sit on the mat and meditate. In this period of meditation, I control my breathing, say my affirmation, and enter into prayer and gratitude.
But what do I do while on the elliptical? I tried staring at the blank wall, but nah. I then tried listening to an audiobook, but nope! Then I decided to listen to my daily devotional, but wrong again! After none of those ideas worked, I decided to go to Spotify and make a workout playlist.
While I am still working on it, I have combined a blend of songs and motivational clips, making the workout much more impactful.
If my method works for you, then great! But if not, then please do not give up on trying something different. The morning and evening routine is something that you will be tinkering with for some time, but once you find a flow, there's no stopping you. But to keep momentum on your side, you have to keep moving.
Whether it's working out, eating healthier, improving your sleeping, or any other goal you are attempting to reach - stopping midway will only keep you away from your breakthrough moment.
So how do you maintain momentum? Do something daily that builds into the person you want to become. Keep moving. Whether it's reading, journaling, networking, studying, or getting a mentor or coach, don't stop moving! Remember, stopping midway will only keep you away from your breakthrough moment.