Why is it so hard to get back on track?

My favored workout is swimming. I always feel great after a good swim, both physically and mentally.

Always.

Without fail.

The pool is one of the few places where I feel very competent and confident physically. Besides, I hate the feeling of being sweaty, so a pool is a perfect venue for me.

I've been swimming for about 5 years now. I swam consistently 3 or 4, sometimes 5, days a week all during law school and bar study. It helped keep me sane.

I've also spent a lot of money over that 5 years on high-quality, well-fitted swimsuits and equipment, skin and hair care products to get rid of the green hair and stink of chlorine, not to mention the cost of the pool pass.

Over the last 2 years, I've been increasingly stressed with personal, family, and work issues. My mental state has taken a big hit. I've struggled emotionally, gained weight, and paid less attention to fitness. Last winter was especially bad; I would go to work, come home, and crash. I paid no attention whatsoever to my eating habits, simply sticking in my mouth whatever was available and easy to eat. I was lucky to get in a swim once a week.

I am now starting -- finally -- to feel a little better. I am working on getting back on track with my better eating habits (although these days, green things really turn me off, go figure) and I'm trying hard to get to the pool more often. I still haven't gotten back up to 3 swims per week, but I am getting in 2 swims most weeks.

This morning, after my swim, I finally asked myself, why is this so damn difficult? I enjoy it, it makes me feel good, I'm good at it, so why is it so hard to make myself get up and go?

Too busy? Not an excuse. Yes, I'm busy, but I'm not that busy.

Too tired? Yes, sometimes it's hard to drag myself out of bed. But it's not Olympic training. It doesn't have to be a difficult or long workout.

Not motivated? Also not an excuse. I believe the key is doing it whether you're motivated or not.

Maybe I'm on the wrong thinking track. Maybe I need to stop thinking.