Do it! Or not. (Getting back into an exercise routine.)
New babies. Sickness. New jobs. Lost jobs. Moving. Travel. Injuries.
Life happens, sometimes with a super sized portion of “BUSY” making it nearly impossible to maintain a routine. Especially if you’re like me and easily get overwhelmed.
I’m all about making priorities but sometimes priorities mean there is very little time for exercise. The last two months have been crazy busy as we got our house ready to rent and moved into our new place. I wanted to keep up my exercise routine but, the fact of the matter was, I didn’t have time. It wasn’t an excuse. From morning to night, I was cramming my schedule trying to meet the move out/in deadline.
But…
…the deadline came and went. The new tenants moved in. We moved. We halfway unpacked. We settled in to our new house.
And I still didn’t “have time” even when I did. It wasn’t time I didn’t have, I didn’t have a routine and it was time to get back to it.
There is nothing like “getting back into a routine” that makes me wish I never would have gotten out of routine but like I said, “life happens”. Despite, what some “fitness Nazis” might say, there are valid reasons for not working out but, at some point, it has to become a priority again if I want to not alienate everyone around me live a full life.
So how did I get back into a exercise routine?
1. First of all, I reminded myself that it’s okay to fall out of routine or as some people say, “fall off the wagon”. I had been extremely busy and the last thing I needed was a self-imposed guilt trip. That would be useless.
2. Then I reminded myself why I needed a routine. 1. If I don’t have a routine I won’t exercise. 2. If I don’t exercise I get lethargic, grumpy, and sad (among other things) and I don’t want to be lethargic, grumpy, and sad (among other things).
3. Next, I looked at my calendar and decided what days I could fit in my workouts and then I wrote them down. If I don’t write things down I, more often than not, won’t do it.
4. I started small and planned two, short, medium intensity workouts a week. This didn’t overwhelm me and would give my body and mind a chance to ease back into it.
5. Lastly, I followed through one workout at a time. After a few workouts, I remembered how much I needed that release and chance to clear my head and each one became a little easier until I found myself back into my routine.
I’ve been back into full “swing” for a few weeks now. I may have “fallen off the wagon” for a short time but you know what? It’s okay. I may have lost a little strength and gained a few pounds but you know what? It’s okay. Today is what matters and as long as I’m being honest with myself and doing the best I can, then…well…there is not much more to do.
(One of my clients gave me this shirt as a gift. Is that not the coolest!)
Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn
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This is my (almost) sane quest for insane health. Let's 
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Your shirt is awesome!!! Way to go on getting back to working out. Even if I miss a week it’s hard to get back into the routine.
I need that shirt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think she got it from Cafe Press.
Its funny how inertia can work both ways. Way to get back on the wagon, not that I am surprised!
Yes, love the shirt! I have been back into a routine for about a month and it feels so good. I have gym/home/park (when I take the kids) workouts so no matter that happens to my day’s plans, I can workout sometime/somewhere!
I am happy you are back in the swing of things too! xo
Thanks Michelle. It can be tough to get back in the habit but, as I’m sure you agree, it’s well worth it. xoxo
I think this is some of your best work!
I am going to pass this along to my Transitions clients.
Thank you Jenn!
Thank YOU so much for the kind words Rhianon!
You may have gotten out of your normal routine, but remember that you were still working out, just not in your normal way. You got your house ready for your renters, which I’m sure included painting, lifting paint cans, climbing ladders, moving furniture, packing, and lifting boxes…these things are all part of a work out. I tend to forget just because I didn’t lift weights or go out for a run that I didn’t workout, that sometimes workouts disguise themselves as housework or mowing the lawn or dancing with my 5 year old. I feel that as long as you are moving and not becoming one with the sofa, then something is better than nothing.
Glad to see that you are back into the “swing” of things and I love the shirt!
You are absolutely right. Thank you for the reminder!
I love the shirt!!!
Glad you have your routine back! I´m sort of falling off the exercise wagon on my trip right now (I´m very active but there just isn´t time for the ´real exercise´I had planned). I´ll make sure to read this post once I get back!
You are definitely during one of those times. I know I wouldn’t worry at all about catching the wagon right now if I were you. Sending you lots of (((hugs))).
I WANT THAT SHIRT!! Holy cow it is amazing! As for scheduling workouts – I schedule everything else in my day around my workout… but I might be a wee bit obsessive;)
It’s funny how we can be nearly twins on one hand and then be nearly opposites on the other!
I’m horrible at keeping a routine even if I write it down! I always make a half marathon training schedule but only end up keeping to my really long distance runs :-/ with *some* of my shorter runs in between and virtually no weights/crosstraining. It’s bad and my running would definitely improve if I followed my schedule, but yeah, working on doing that any day now!
That’s amazing to me that you “only” keep up with your long distance runs!! Anytime I have tried to run more than 5 miles I’ve given up.
I plan on getting back into it when we move to Colorado. The apt will have a gym, and I’m so excited!
Oooooh Colorado is so beautiful! Very cool!
Either my pregnancy hormones are turning me full on crazy or I am just crazy, but this post just makes me want to cry with tears of comfort. Seeing these words and relating to your feelings makes me feel comforted that we all struggle and get through it. I love your phrase, today is what matters. So true. Such an amazing post!
I’m sure it’s just hormones. Yes, I think we all struggle and get through it. xoxo
I get choked up a lot (in a good way) reading Jenn’s blog, Monica!
Jenn, thanks for this. It was very timely for me since we just recently moved house. Yes, a very active process, but still, I’m finding my way and figuring out where everything goes, and the workout room is not yet set up in its entirety. BUT, I started working out this week because I can’t wait for perfection, I need to work with what I’ve got! Thanks again for your awesomeness and your generosity of spirit. xoxo
Thank YOU Tamara for your kindness and sweet spirit! xoxo