Fitness: A Commitment to Wellness and Energy

Welcome to Law Life

In this week's article, I want to focus on the critical role of fitness in maintaining overall well-being and energy. While physical fitness is essential, this article will explore how a disciplined approach to fitness, motivated by your WHY, can significantly enhance your life and career, particularly for attorneys who face immense pressure and stress daily.

Understanding Fitness and Wellness

Fitness and wellness encompass physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It's about more than just staying in shape; it's about cultivating habits that support a healthy, balanced life. As lawyers, we deal with our clients' problems and challenges while inevitably managing our own. Prioritizing our health and well-being ensures we have the fuel and energy to handle these demands effectively.

My Fitness Journey

I have been fortunate to remain active in sports and relatively healthy throughout my life. However, my journey has not been without its challenges. As an assistant prosecutor, I was involved in a car accident on my way to a crime scene, resulting in a fractured vertebra that required a spinal fusion. This experience left me bedridden for months, offering a unique perspective on both active living and recovery.

Inconsistency and Transformation

Before COVID-19, I struggled with consistency in my fitness routine despite being a gym member. Interestingly, the gym closures during the pandemic brought about a significant change. My wife and I had a Peloton bike that we barely used until we had no other options. This period marked the beginning of a consistent fitness routine, which has been crucial for my wellness.

Creating Consistency

The key to my newfound consistency was reducing the friction associated with working out. Instead of traveling 35 minutes to the gym, I committed to a 20-minute Peloton ride and a 5-minute core workout at home. This manageable routine laid the foundation for building momentum and adding or stacking more activities over time. I added a link for a Free 60 60-day trial in the resources section of this article. The free trial includes access to all the meditation, strength classes, stretching, yoga, outdoor running and walking, boxing, and cardio classes in the app.

Expanding the Routine

Over time, I integrated additional exercises into my routine. I participated in a push-up challenge for St. Jude, requiring 3,000 push-ups in a month. This challenge helped me incorporate push-ups into my daily workouts. We also added a Peloton Tread for running, providing variety and flexibility in my workouts.

Stretching and Meditation

Stretching has become a crucial part of my fitness habits, aiding recovery and improving flexibility. Additionally, I incorporate nightly meditation sessions using the Peloton app. These meditations, particularly those focused on sleep, significantly enhance my rest and overall well-being.

Hydration and Morning Routine

Hydration is a vital component of my daily routine. I fill two Yeti cups with ice and water each morning, ensuring I stay hydrated throughout my workouts and journaling sessions. This combination of hydration, journaling, and exercise sets a positive, purposeful, intentional, focused, and energetic tone for the day.

Maintaining Physical Health

Fitness is also essential for managing my back health. It's been 13 years since my spinal fusion, and I feel great. The strength of my core and legs supports my spine, helping me stay active and engaged with my children. My commitment to fitness ensures I can keep up with my family and maintain a high energy level.

Consistency and Commitment

Maintaining consistency and commitment in your fitness routine is not easy. It all comes down to discipline and understanding your WHY. You need to find your reason to commit and take action. For me, I have two young children in elementary school. I want to watch them grow, see them in their adulthood, and, God willing, walk my daughter down the aisle and enjoy my grandkids. This will only be possible if I take care of myself.

Additionally, my morning routine, which includes hydration, journaling, and exercise, gives me the energy to win my days. My purpose and intention are clear and energetic when I do what I need to do. It is not easy, and there will be days you want to quit. Find your WHY, commit to your goals, and have the discipline to take action.

Starting Small

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a quote that I frequently revisit: "Day one or one day. You decide." The "one-day" mentality is procrastination, saying, "I'll do it another day, at another time." The key is to start. The key is to build up consistency, and if you’re struggling to start or remain consistent, make the blocks small. Like me, I needed to break it down to the basic 25 minutes to start. This reduces the friction that can get you off track, especially in the beginning. The gym, Pilates, boxing, or other fitness classes may also benefit you. I only tell you what works for me to share my experience and hope to help you get clear. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Proactive Wellness

We often take our health for granted. While disease and sickness can come unexpectedly, adopting a proactive wellness and fitness lifestyle can help us live each day with more energy and potentially avoid preventable health issues. As attorneys, maintaining our health ensures we can effectively manage our clients' and our problems.

This Week’s Resources

Each week, I will share resources that I discuss. Here are some resources that I referred to and found valuable. I hope you find value as well:

• My TEDx Talk on Reclaiming Time
• 60 Days Free of Peloton on the App, which You Can Use Without the Bike or Tread (includes Meditation, Strength Classes, Stretching, Yoga, Outdoor Running and Walking, and Cardio)
• Brendon Burchard's GrowthDay App
• St. Jude Fundraisers

Engage with Law Life

I hope this insight into building a disciplined fitness routine inspires you to consider how you can incorporate these habits into your life. If you found this helpful, please like, comment, and share it with friends and colleagues who might benefit from this insight.

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Thank you for joining me for another issue of Law Life, where we explore the tools and practices that enhance our professional and personal lives. Until next time, stay active and thrive.