The Benefits Of Having A Workout Plan
When it comes to working out, the biggest challenge for me is getting started. Once I’m moving I’m okay, but the absolute hardest part for me is getting started. I know I’m not the only one. I’ve had this conversation with my sister, with friends and with clients alike.
Getting started, getting past not feeling like it and struggling with yourself on what to do once you’ve actually convinced yourself to get moving are the three biggest stumbling blocks to working out in my opinion. Luckily, I have a couple suggestions for jumping over those hurdles (pun intended).
When In Doubt Work It Out By Doing Your Default Routine
I’ve mentioned this in the past. I believe we should all have a default workout. You know, that workout that is a no brainer for you. That workout that will give you a big bang for your buck, simply because you didn’t blow it off. Your default workout is that workout that doesn’t take a lot of thought or energy to get going. It’s that thing you enjoy doing. For me, it’s walking. I can do it outside. I can do it at the gym. I can do it on my lunch hour. I can do it before work. I can do it after work. I can do it anywhere and anytime. It’s easy, it’s effective and it’s my go to thing to do in a pinch.
Have A Written Plan For What You’re Going To Do
I’m big on planning. Planning takes all the guess work out of what to do next. I don’t know about you, but when I first started going to the gym I felt lost. I had no idea what to do so I just jumped on the treadmill. Well after awhile that became boring. Now I use the whole gym, which is really cool but it can also be a little overwhelming without a plan. So, just like I plan my meals, I also plan my workouts. When I do this, it takes the guess work out of what I’ll be doing for the day. I have my plan. I do what’s on my plan and I’m done. Here’s what having a plan will do for you:
- It will keep you focused
- It will help you to remain committed to your regimen
- It will help you to be more effective in working all muscle groups (if you have a strength training plan)
- It will help you to become more disciplined in working through your routines, especially if you’re going it alone (without a personal trainer)
- It will help you stay on track and maintain a solid workout flow
As I always say, planning is key! When we fail to plan we are planning to fail and failure is not an option!
Your Turn To Share
What is your “go to workout”? Do you plan your workouts? If not, why not?
Too Tired To Workout, Too Focused Not To
Can I be completely honest? I am struggling with EVERYTHING today! I’m tired. I’m irritable. I feel scattered. I have a slight headache. I feel unproductive and I can’t seem to get a clear handle on what to do next.
I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been away from your routine for a week and you return on the week that your cycle decides to pay a visit. Everything is cloudy and murky. I missed my workout this morning and at lunchtime and the thought of doing anything but vegging out on this couch sends me to the moon.
But here’s what I am not going to do. I am not going to give into my “feelings”. Nope! Instead of wallowing in self-pity, which I absolutely abhor, I am going to finish this post and then I am going to get down on this floor to do some stretching exercises and some crunches.
I’m not promising a full 30 minute workout BUT I am going to do something. I refuse to let this day be a complete and total wash. Floor work, here I come.
Long Story Short – My Six Words
You Gotta Know When To Hold ’em And Know When To Fold ’em
I have learned to listen to my body. That hasn’t always been the case, but more and more I realize that my body knows when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em, and today was definitely a fold ’em kinda day.
After running some errands this morning the only other thing I had enough energy for was to veg out on the couch. And you know what, I’m okay with that. After the week I’ve had that was really all the strength I had to do.
Tomorrow is my rest day and Monday I’m back on my grind. My schedule is set to get in six days of planned movement next week and now that the weather is breaking I am looking forward to spending a couple of days outside. In fact the thought of catching some rays is putting a big smile on my face
Dog Tired But Completely Worked Out
Can I just tell you a sistah is dog tired. I was out of town this week for a business trip that wore me out. I think I must have walked 40,000 steps, at least. I attempted to measure my steps with a pedometer but the crazy thing kept falling off and resetting itself. Oh well I tried but pedometer or not my body knows it went through something traumatic this week that’s for sure…LOL.
My colleges and I are in the midst of planning an event that will take place next year. I spent four days touring 11 different hotels. If I never see another hotel it will be too soon. I can’t begin to explain how good it felt to sleep in my own bed last night.
I forgot to weigh myself before leaving, but I’m sure I dropped a few pounds. I’m glad I had already gotten my body used to moving again last week or I think I would be in traction right now…LOL.
Anywho, I’m grateful for the opportunity to get away. I’m even more grateful to be back home. And I’m also grateful that most of my time was spent walking, which is what my body needed for sure!
Pull It Together!
It gives me such a great feeling to accomplish something. It doesn’t matter what it is, big or small, the “feel good” feeling is still the same. Like last week. I went to the gym five days straight and it felt wonderful. I also completed a writing assignment I wanted to get done before heading out of town. And lastly, I finally closed the book on some projects at work that had been lingering for weeks. Three major accomplishments. One happy Stacey.
Rather than pushing myself to get it all done, I allowed myself to be pulled towards the direction I wanted to go. You see when I think about the difference between “pushing” and “pulling”, I have two very different reactions. Pushing forces me to focus on all the effort it will take to accomplish my goals, while pulling points me towards the benefits of accomplishing my goals.
When I push myself the dialogue in my head goes something like this:
- “Oh boy, I don’t feel like it, but I gotta get up this morning to get to the gym”
- *A sigh* “I guess I’ll turn on the computer and try to come up with something to write about”
- “I don’t know why I keep dragging my tail on this project, but it’s gotta get done so let me dive in”
When I pull myself or allow myself to be pulled or drawn towards the end results, the dialogue in my head goes something like this:
- “Walking first thing in the morning makes me feel good and I can start the day off with a clear head”
- “I can’t wait to finish this article because I know it will encourage and inspire my readers”
- “I’m looking forward to getting back to the office to start on some new projects”
Do you see the difference? Can you feel the shift in the energy between pushing and being pulled?
Keep this in mind the next time you need to be motivated to take action. Rather than expending tons of energy pushing yourself to do something, get inspired by the enjoyment you will experience from taking the steps that will lead you to your goal. Focus on the things that are pulling you (drawing you) towards that awesome feeling of accomplishment.
- Think about how wonderful it feels to take action
- Think of the relief you will feel once the task is completed
- Think about the pleasure and excitement you will feel from accomplishing that which you’ve set out to do
Pushing is exhausting. Instead allow yourself to be pulled towards your goals with purpose and pleasure as your focal point.
Your Turn To Share
What do you want to motivate yourself to do? How will you allow yourself to be pulled towards the direction of accomplishing your goals?
Wordless Wednesday
I will be here again!
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