Exercising for health is yet another regular task that you know is important. It’s not part of your family priorities, job, and may not be an enjoyable hobby, but you know it is important. Like any other task you can choose to have a plan, get on it right away, and complete to the best of your ability...or...not. We are all familiar with procrastination, delaying taking action. The flip side of that is precrastination. The opposite of procrastination and immediately jumping into a task must be a good thing, right? Not so fast says the world of psychology.  

First, let’s examine procrastination a little more. It is considered one of the unhealthy ways of coping with something. What do you do when exercise, the elephant in the room in this case, is staring you right in the face? Do you avoid it to the point of not completing it at all? When one is labeled as a procrastinator, it may be that person’s way of coping. The problem is it usually means the task doesn’t get completed well, if at all. Coping that way creates an unhealthy cycle. It can make you feel like you are unable to do the task and cause even more stress. With exercise, it’s a double whammy. If you use procrastination as a coping tool to avoid exercise, not only might it give you a feeling of inability, but not performing regular exercise will also negatively affect your physical health.  

Precrastination is a lesser-known way of dealing with that elephant in the room. One characteristic of a precrastinator is rushing into an immediate task without a plan. Reacting quickly and doing what you think is the easiest way to complete a task (particularly an unpleasant one) just to get it over with is not always ideal. Let’s face it, not everyone puts exercise at the top of their priority lists and finds it enjoyable. There are definitely positives of precrastination when it comes to exercise. Rushing into the exercise bout without a plan will at least result in some physical activity performed. However, sometimes completing a workout just to get it over with doesn’t benefit your body as well as it should. Another characteristic involves planning far into the future as opposed to what is in front of you at that moment. This is actually a great way to approach exercise and health. Seeing the big picture and knowing that, long term, it is beneficial to exercise regularly is another positive of precrastination.  

Whether you consider yourself a habitual procrastinator or precrastinator, regular exercise and approaching each workout with a plan is ideal. With exercise, procrastination is riskier than precrastination. You risk not performing any exercise at all. Pointe Fitness always touts the phrase, “something is better than nothing”.  Precrastination probably falls into that category with exercise. The best way to approach your exercise plan is to see the big picture and long term goals. The best way to achieve those goals is to have a plan for each exercise bout and complete it fully. Those individual bouts will not only get you to those goals, but will also build your confidence in your ability to be physically active.