If you have difficulty finding the motivation to exercise, then this might be the change you need. Establish and define your ‘why’. It’s the key that leads to a fitter, stronger and healthier you.

How Things Used To Be

I’ve always had a natural attraction towards sport and exercise, even before I was diagnosed with diabetes. I was a very active young guy. There was not a physical activity on the planet that I wouldn’t have a go at, and I was usually pretty good at most that I tried. I used to exercise for a number of different reasons, majority of which were typical for that of a young man: I wanted a better body, I wanted to look like the guys on the cover of the fitness magazines, I wanted to perform well in sports, I wanted to be the strongest, fastest and most athletic, I wanted to look good at the beach, I wanted to get the girls and I wanted to be able to protect myself in a fight. While there is nothing wrong with those reasons for working out, there was one major motivation that I was yet to discover.

The Day It All Changed

The day I was diagnosed with diabetes, I was told by the clinic to go home and resume my normal daily routine. That included eating my usual meals, exercising, working, etc. However, I would need to frequently log my blood sugar readings, especially before and after meals and exercise.

Its important to note, being day one of diagnosis, I wasn’t taking any insulin at all. The aim was to monitor my blood sugar levels and identify any lifestyle-related trends before calculating my insulin requirements.

I remember eating a banana before going to the gym that day. It shot my blood glucose level up to 22 mmol/L (normal range is approx 4-6 mmol/L). I was devastated. Completely and utterly distraught. I went to the gym and did my usual workout which consisted of lifting weights for about 45-60 minutes. After my workout, I checked my blood sugar levels again expecting to see the same number as before – but that wasn’t the case at all.

My post gym reading was 6 mmol/L. I was shocked! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I picked up my jaw from off the ground and said to myself: “This exercise thing is some pretty powerful stuff!”.

Growing up I was always told to exercise because “it’s good for you” but I never truly had a way to quantify it. That was the first time I discovered how effective exercise really is.

The Shift

Three years on and I still haven’t missed my Daily Dose of exercise. I knew that if I wanted to control my blood sugar levels and ultimately avoid the frightening long-term complications of diabetes, I had to exercise every day.

When I shifted my ‘why’ to optimal diabetes management, not only did my health begin to prosper, but a nice byproduct was that I ended up in the best physical shape of my life. I ended up effortlessly achieving the goals that I wanted as a young guy without aesthetics even being a focus.

Sure, many of us have an element of vanity that gets us into the gym each day, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, I even argue that it makes the process more difficult.

These days when I’m in the gym lifting weights, I think about the sponge-like action of my muscles as they soak up glucose from my bloodstream. I think about the medicinal properties of the exercise itself. I think about how much less insulin I will require as a result of working out. I think of how much more carbohydrates I will be able to tolerate after training.

Exercise will help you get the body you desire, but your ‘why’ is the difference between an effortless process, or a process filled with difficulty, pain, sacrifice and a constant battle of will power.

Exercise because…

• You want to prevent, manage and reverse disease
• It makes you feel amazing
• You want to be able to perform the physical tasks that daily life requires from us
• You value your health above and beyond anything else.
• You want to give your body the gift of movement that it craves and deserves.
• You want to live a long healthy life and see your future grandchildren grow up.

Establish a ‘why’ that allows you to stay easily motivated, and most importantly enjoy exercise! By finding a motive that goes beyond the superficial cover model goals, you’ll be able to achieve this with relative ease. You’ll end up with all of the physiological health benefits as well as the aesthetic benefits of exercise without even focusing on it. You’ll function better, have improved mood, gain lean muscle and lose body fat – ultimately becoming a healthier, happier person.

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