I didn’t always work out, but I’ve finally figured out what works best for me.
This pandemic has put us in two camps - we either start working out or we’ve taken a complete hiatus from any kind of movement. I happen to be the former, oddly enough.
Well, I’ve been working out, exercising, training, going to the gym— whatever you want to call it— for some time now. But, of course, I thought the lockdown would be a perfect time to start getting my steps in and crushing those goals I always had.
It took some trial and error, but I’ve got it down pat. I’m not perfect, but this is the most consistently I’ve ever worked out so something must be working, right?
I figured out what I like
Since I discovered weightlifting, I realized I actually like exercising. I get that cardio isn’t trending right now and weightlifting is all the rage, but for good reason.
Whenever I would run I would become so incredibly exhausted for the rest of the day. My body hurt after short runs and I never enjoyed going on them.
There was one time I got a runner’s high, and that felt pretty great. But it didn’t happen every time I ran.
Now, I don’t get that “high” from weightlifting that I got from running, but I do seem to leave my sessions so much more energized.
Since the pandemic and being forced to work from home, my gym permanently closed. So, I had to pivot and figure what in the heck I was going to do.
Luckily, my partner and I acquired some weights over the years and have started to slowly build our own at-home gym.
But I didn’t have all the equipment at home that I loved using at the gym.
So, I found a bodyweight program I liked!
I started with the PWR Zero Equipment program by Kelsey Wells on the Sweat app and really loved it at first!
It was a short workout, generally 28-35 minutes. It got my heart rate going and I burned a lot of calories in a short amount of time. But, I really missed lifting actual weights. Something about holding a heavy piece of metal in my hands really made me feel like a badass...
So, I switched to the PWR at Home program—it suits me so much better and I've been able to stick with it.
No, I am not sponsored in any way, shape, or form to talk about these programs. It's currently what I'm using and what I'm enjoying at the moment. But, I’m not opposed to it… :D
I schedule the workout and physically write it down in my calendar
If you're anything like me, then you have to make lists to get things done.
When I started scheduling my workouts that's when I would see the most consistency with actually getting them done.
If you know you only have a certain amount of time in your day, write that workout down! It makes such a difference to see it on a piece of paper and a specific time block to get it done. Also, it feels damn good to check that box next to ‘workout’ on my list.
Making it a priority in my life was a game-changer
I used to work out only when I would find some time in my day, and a lot of the time I didn't have it! I’d pack my day with all these other tasks and errands, and would think, “Well, I guess I can’t work out today. Oh well!”
When I started making it a priority that's when I started really consistently working out. I write down the top three things I have to do every day and working out is always my number one. It’s now become a habit, and that was the ultimate goal.
I figured out that I tend to overschedule my day. Having my top three priorities written down lets my mind have a clear image of what exactly I have to do.
As long as I get those top three tasks/errands/priorities done, then whatever is left on my to-do list that day isn’t stressed over.
I don’t beat myself up if I miss a workout.
We're all human—it's inevitable that we'll miss a workout.
I used to beat myself up and give up if I didn't stay 100% consistent.
It would be really hard for me to get back on track once I gave up. So, I told myself that every day is a new day and I just pick up where I left off, even if that meant repeating the same week because I missed too many workouts.
I started giving 80% effort 100% of the time rather than one hundred percent effort 80% of the time. This seemed a lot more reasonable and easier to do, and so far it's worked!
I designated a specific workout space
When my partner and I first moved into our current house, the basement wasn't usable whatsoever. It was a glorified storage space.
I worked out in the living room, which was the room next to my office. There wasn’t a lot of separation of space for me between the office and the living room. Once we got the basement organized we made a workout space and that changed everything.
I believe it's so important to designate a space for every task you do. Just like we don't eat in bed all the time—apart from those special times we get breakfast in bed—we don't work out in the office or kitchen— unless, of course, this is the only space you have you make do. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s a beautiful thing to make the most out of a small living space.
I recognize having this variety of spaces is a privilege, and I’m thankful every day for the house we are in.
Also, having the basement as my workout space makes me *feel* like I’m going to the gym, amiright?
I figured out the time I preferred working out
Some people love working out early in the morning. Some people swear by evening workouts.
I am in the camp of working out during lunchtime. It works out for me and I feel my best when I can take a break from work and get my workout in.
Since my workouts don't last longer than an hour it's totally doable.
Plus, getting those endorphins going really give me that extra pep-in-my-step to finish out the rest of the workday.
One of the perks about working from home—and the fact that I work at a really great company that doesn't micromanage us —is that I get to do things at home during the daytime that I couldn't do when I was in the office, like working out.
My work-life balance is so much better because I'm working from home and working out during the time I feel best.
I absolutely dreaded going to the gym after work at 5 p.m. It was completely packed and none of the equipment I wanted to use was available. You're probably super familiar with this if you've ever been inside a gym at 5 p.m. It’s like a warzone— everyone’s fighting over the same equipment and if you do happen to snag a machine or a barbell, people start eyeing you like a hawk until you’re done with it.
I have tried numerous times to work out early in the morning before work—it’s not for me, no matter how badly I want it to be. I can’t stay consistent with it, and that’s okay.
Lunchtime works for me, so I make sure to write it down in my daily planner every single day, and put it at the top of my list of things to do.
To sum it up:
Find a type of exercise you like doing
Make it a priority
Write it down in your calendar
Find a designated workout space
Be kind to yourself if you miss a workout
Every day is a new day, so pick up where you left off
My workout time at home has become a form of serious self-care. I feel effing awesome when I get my workout in.
Now that I’m working from home, it’s actually been so much easier for me to consistently get my workouts in.
It’s the silver lining to this pandemic, I guess...
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