The practice of physical exercise
The practice of physical exercise has become a trend in recent years—and not by chance. This simple action has the power to completely transform our lives: first by changing the way we think, then by reshaping our emotional life, and finally by transforming our physical body.
It is often said that change comes from the inside, but through weight training I realized that certain external actions can completely reshape our inner world. This inner change then reflects in our worldview, values, behaviors, and attitudes.
Exercise strongly influences the way we live. Through it, we begin to adopt a centered life, where discipline and commitment become our top priority. This decision alone has the power to impact everything: the environments we frequent, our values, principles, identity, and ultimately, our personal fulfillment.
In short, our priority becomes living a quality life—not only physically, but in every area.
Benefits of Practicing Physical Exercise
- Discipline and consistency
- Self-confidence
- Persistence
- Sleep quality
- Higher levels of energy and vitality
- Positivity and optimism
- Personal organization
- Freedom from depression, frustration, and anxiety
- A broader perspective on life
- Fulfillment of spirit and soul
- Physical transformation (health, aesthetics, etc.)
How to Develop the Habit of Exercising
There are five key factors that will help you create and consolidate the habit of physical exercise: knowing your goal with precision, creating an irresistible objective, building a routine and integrating this new behavior into it, making the smallest possible effort at the beginning, and finally, joining a community that already lives a centered lifestyle. Below, I briefly explain each step.
1 – Have a clear understanding of your goal.
It is extremely important to know the goals you want to achieve. This simple step makes decision-making easier and more effective. Often, it’s not willpower we lack but clarity. With clarity, we can act with determination and commitment.
2 – Create an irresistible goal.
Shallow goals, like getting six-pack abs or a slim waist, won’t give you the strength for long-term success. We need a goal that truly inspires us—a vision that generates energy every time we think about it. Such a goal will keep you moving forward even during adversity, boredom, discouragement, or demotivation. Along the way, the pain of not doing will become greater than the pain of doing. The secret is consistency.
3 – Build a life routine with healthy habits.
Before locking in this new behavior, decide exactly when and where you will exercise. Having a fixed time and routine makes decision-making much easier. For more on routines, see my morning reflection message.
4 – Make the smallest possible effort in the beginning.
It’s tempting to start big, especially when motivation feels strong at the beginning. Resist that. Start small, then gradually increase the intensity of your actions. Living on motivation alone leads to inconsistency, because emotions come and go. At first, it’s not about improving—it’s about being consistent and building the identity you want. By doing this, results will come naturally.
5 – Join a community that lives a disciplined life.
One of the most effective ways to shape new behavior is to connect with people who live the way you want to live, or to join a community already practicing a disciplined, centered lifestyle. The environment has a powerful influence—we are products of it. This shows in how we think, dress, and act. If you were born in another part of the world, would you see life the same way? Of course not. If you want consistent results, invest in a quality environment. It’s difficult to sustain positive, consistent actions in a negative setting.
Learning to Deal with Boredom Along the Journey
The pain we face in exercise is one few are willing to confront. Many long for comfort. But if we truly want results worthy of admiration, we must face boredom daily. Going beyond pain is a path few choose. It is filled with doubts, fears, and frustrations—but if we persist, we will reach a state of great achievement.
At that point, our love for exercising deepens, and every action begins to bring results. People will admire and praise us—but here’s the issue: most think results came overnight. They forget that physical transformation is the accumulation of many small actions that once seemed meaningless, but over time produced massive results. Great achievements are always built on small, consistent actions.
When aiming for results worthy of admiration, we must also learn to handle challenges along the way. Weight training taught me that the results I desired would not come immediately, and that I needed to accept this reality if I wanted lasting change.
“ Discipline creates freedom. I have discovered joy and ongoing growth in a life filled with restrictions. Being disciplined means saying no to what holds you back and choosing to live in an inspiring way, and keep pushing through despite the pain, fear, and doubts
—Elton João Mesa
Learning to live with boredom is one of the greatest qualities we can acquire. Acting consciously despite pain and discomfort brings us closer to our purpose. It’s not about one miraculous action that brings instant results—it’s about repeated actions that lead us to our goal.
Living with boredom—a feeling so many try to avoid—is actually the miraculous strategy: realizing that great transformations take time, that benefits are delayed, and that boredom is the greatest obstacle in the pursuit of purpose. To reach our goals, we must often act without motivation—keep moving forward despite discouragement. That is the true recipe for success.
Many people have talents that could take them to the peak of their potential. But through weight training, I discovered that boredom is the one factor preventing them from reaching the fullness of their abilities.
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Thank you for reading
I hope it helped you in some way.
I wish you all the best.
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