How to Keep Your Exercise Mojo Going When It’s Hot Outside

Man, it’s hot! During these dog days of summer, it’s tempting to forgo the gym and grab a high-calorie frozen treat. But beware: that’s a sure-fire way to lose your exercise mojo. (You know what that is, don’t you? Remember when you couldn’t wait to get out there and get your sweat going? Okay, some imagination is helpful…)

Senior fitness is much more than looking young and fit; it’s about being healthy and happy in spite of aches and pains. It’s about being active so you can keep enjoying life. It’s about avoiding diseases and dementia. You can’t do that without regular exercise, even when you don’t feel like it, it’s too hot, or whatever else stops you.

That’s why Rob and I started writing this blog: we want to help seniors find and keep their exercise mojo going for a longer, wiser, and more fulfilling adventure. (And, writing about it helps motivate us too!)

My husband Rob knows a great deal about the body and exercise. He is a superb athlete in tennis, had a career in football, played baseball, basketball, and rode in mountain bike rallies from San Diego to Las Vegas. Of course, not everyone can relate to his experiences.

I, on the other hand, am not an accomplished professional-level athlete. Not that long ago, my idea of a power walk was covering all three floors of Nordstrom’s with a credit card in hand. Only a few years ago, the thought of ten minutes in the gym seemed to me like a climb up Mt. Everest. Some days it still does, but I use mental tricks to get going.

I have to say, I’m one of those “kids” that have come a long way, baby. Now, a mere 75, I am building some miniature biceps and the other day I even felt a bulge where my triceps might be hiding. I’m not ashamed to admit I have used some serious behavioral modification protocols from my psychologist’s training.

4 Exercise Mojo Mind Tricks

1. Clarify your vision or goal. Are you recovering from an injury or years spent behind a desk? Do you need to build muscle and endurance? Those who have a clear sense of what they want achieve more.
2. Develop a strategy. List short and long-term goals, break these down into SMART goals, and remind yourself daily of why they are important to you.
3. Recognize—and celebrate—each activity towards your goals. This will strengthen your exercise mojo: self-confidence and self-efficacy will grow, motivating you to new challenges and adventures.
4. Find an exercise buddy. When you’re tempted to skip your daily fitness activity, call your exercise buddy. Tell them why you don’t want to exercise, or better yet, invite them to join you.

I invite you to examine excuses, weed out false or outdated beliefs, and remind yourself of your goals and priorities. Maybe you just need to expand on your strategies. For example, what is plan B for those dog days of summer? What are your other activity and exercise options?

Today at 75, I’m better off than I ever thought I would be. Working out and playing sports grows on a person, as it did for me. If you give it a good try and sustain it over a period of time, you will become a fit person, no matter your age or the shape you’re in now. Your exercise mojo will grow.

Male or female, all seniors can fight decay and aging, no matter their conditions. Keep your exercise mojo. You will look better, feel better, and your body and brain will put the brakes on the slide into old age and debilitation.