Routine
A long time ago, I had the perfect workout routine. Monday through Thursday, I spent no less than an hour working out at my gym. 30-60 minutes for cardio. 30 minutes for lifting weights. Weekends meant more trips to the gym or taking workouts outside. During the summers, I might train for a marathon, which meant more cardio and less weights, but no less time for my health.
And then I met Sweets. And we adopted SoMi. And while I do not blame either of them, my life changed dramatically when they came into it. I spent less time at the gym. Not because they made me. But, because when I was there, all I could think of was them. I stopped training for longer races. Not because my body wouldn’t let me. But, because I’d rather spend that time with them.
And that’s when I started gaining weight. But, this post isn’t about weight, so I won’t belabor the fact here. This post is about routine. My routine was broken. And I didn’t know how to fix it. How does one come up with a new routine when the old routine was all we knew for over 10 years? For me, the answer didn’t come easily.
In fact, SoMi has been in our lives for over two years. And it’s only just recently that I feel like I finally have a new routine. Better yet, a new routine that works. For me, working out used to mean going to the gym. But, with Sweets and SoMi in my life and with wanting to spend time with them, I needed to figure out something new.
I won’t bore you with all the things that didn’t work (believe me, this new routine is two plus years in the making – there were plenty of failures). What does work is changing my expectations of going to the gym and how much time I spend there.
Mondays and Wednesdays, I meet Sweets at the gym. We work out for about an hour.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, I work from home. I take SoMi for a run outside at lunch. After work, I might meet Sweets at the gym. I might go to a Bikram yoga class. I might go for a second run with my neighbor. Or I might choose not to add anymore exercise to my day. By running at lunch, I feel I’m afforded that post-work choice, which is key to my new routine.
Fridays are a day of rest. Rarely do we do more than take the dog for a nice walk on Fridays.
Over the weekend, it just depends on all sorts of factors. If I can, I like to do a medium to long run over the weekends. That means 6-9 miles alone (the dog nor Sweets can run those distances). Maybe it means a bike ride along the lakefront if the weather is nice. Maybe it means a shorter run with SoMi and Sweets (who has recently decided he wants to do a triathlon next summer, so is starting his conditioning now). Maybe it means nothing at all. I no longer stress about carving out hours each day to get to the gym.
The key is that my health is no longer directly correlated with (a) going to the gym and (b) spending hours on end at the gym. I have built in some flexibility to my workouts. And to my expectations. Now, if only I could carve out an hour of sun, no biting wind, no snow nor ice nor salt on the sidewalk and moderate temperatures a couple times a week to ensure my lunchtime runs with the dog continue through the Chicago winter.
Tell me, do you have an exercise regimen that works? What is it? If not, what blocks you from having one – is it external factors or internal expectations that cannot be met?
November 12th, 2009 at 4:54 am
I used to go to the gym every morning at 0630 for an hour Monday-Friday. Then my routine changed (due to external factors mostly) and since then i haven’t worked out at all. Not once. Which i hate because i can feel myself getting out of shape and even though i’m not gaining weight i hate it.
The problem is i am inherently lazy so given the choice of having nothing that i have paid for in advance i do nothing. I need me a new routine
November 12th, 2009 at 6:22 am
I never had a real routine. Sometimes I can get in a groove for a few weeks, but I always mess up. I like the gym during the day when it is not crazy crowded and I like to walk in the park in the evenings. But I am lazy and I really don’t love working out so I can always find something better to do.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Right now my routine is very easy to maintain because of being newly single again and working from home. I work out four days during the weekdays doing a cardio/strength rotation and then train for my 5K on Sunday mornings.
When I first got married, back in the day, we had a routine that was also completely shattered by moving and new work schedules and I just had to find a way to adjust my workouts in there for awhile. Then I let myself go to crap. ;)
November 12th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Mondays-Personal training session and 45 mins of cardio then home to walk the dog around the lake (10 mins) then another dog walk in the evenings.
Tuesdays-I leave myself free to do what I feel like. Sometimes swimming, sometimes skipping, sometimes a bike ride. The one thing that is set is walking Flynn in the evening.
Wednesday-Bollywood dance class in the evening (one hour). Father-in-law walks the dog for me most weeks but if I have time I will do it.
Thursday-Bollywood dance class (a different teacher) for an hour and then walk the dog.
Friday-Dual personal training session with my husband which the personal trainer and I try to secretly stretch to an hour long when my husband isnt paying attention, then a half hour of cardio and home to walk the dog.
Saturday-Day of rest from planned exercise (hubby walks the dog).
Sunday-Bike ride or kayak with husband then he walks the dog.
I love my routine, I love exercising (despite being plus sized) and I feel horrible in myself if I dont stick to my routine. Every four or five months I take a full week off and rest my body.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:16 am
It’s a struggle to go from single to “oh hi, I need to coordinate my schedule with you know?” Or not even single, but for me, being in college in a long-distance relationship, then moving in with Steven and making our schedules work together.
It took me awhile to re-figure it out too! Especially since I am away from home so much and don’t want to spend less time with Steven when I get home! Now, we do our running and sometimes cross-training together, but weight training separate (both of us do it during the workday). During the summer, I woke up early to get my long runs in. I think our routine is constantly evolving. Right now, this works. But we’ll see how it goes.
I’m happy you found something that works for you! And how exciting that Sweets is training for a tri!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:03 am
routine had been tough lately with school and work. but then, our gym started a series of classes called group power. it’s the same thing, if you’ve gone to 24 hour fitness, as Body Pump. i love it. it forces me to do squats, lunges, and a whole myriad of things that my body was not meant to do, in a matter of an hour. also, i’ve heard, that bone loss is an important topic in growing older…and that weight lifting helps this. voila…the perfect thing! on the days that i’m not doing that, i do spinning videos at home, or run at the gym. usually, i’ll take a day a week off.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Before the weddinh I was working out twice a week at the gym and all the running around on the weekend. the gym was great becausae it was on my way home so I would pack my gym bag and head there after work.
Now I have fallen off the gym wagon. Hubs is working erratic hours these days and somebody has to take the dog out. since I typically get home first, that is my job. Once I get home, I want to stay home. So, I haven’t been able to go the gym after work otherwise the dog will be home for more that 12 hours without going to the bathroom and at her age, that is too cruel.
We are hoping that the Hub’s schedule gets better so that we both can get back in gear. We shall see.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I despise exercising, so when I found swing dancing, I was thrilled. Two nights a week for sure and then something on the weekends. And then they lost their contract and NO MORE DANCING! At least not for now and the pounds have slowly crept back on, much to my dismay. Irish Dancing once a month isn’t going to cut it. So my girlfriend and I have decided to walk together twice a week – the nights we would have gone swing dancing. We’ll see if we can keep it up.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:13 am
You are so active! I need to take a note from your book, let me tell you. I am actually starting a “Getting Healthy” regime with a really amazing website The Demoisellesto try and get into a routine that I can marry myself to.
I’m working on hammering out a routine that starts by just building habit without setting the bar so high that I can’t keep up with it. Once I have that built, I know I’ll be able to keep it up, but man is building that foundation tough.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I’m horrible about keeping a routine. I don’t work out in the mornings, so now with the time change I’m trying to find places where I’m comfortable running in the dark.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:40 am
We are working ours out. When we first joined the gym we went nonstop. That wasn’t really sustainable. Now we alternate days–one day at the dog park, one day at the gym. In the summer when the days are longer it will be easier to do both again. But for now we try to make sure we get to the gym 3-4 times a week and the dog still gets her exercise, and everyone is happy.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:45 am
first of all i really like the new picture of you at the top of your blog!
as you know with training for a race, you have to be in a regimented routine lest you lose your stamina and endurance. so for the summer until mid october i was on a set schedule of days id run, days id relax, days id do weights, etc. now that the training is over ive been a little more lax with it (which is why i have wanted another race on the books!). it’s been really great to have a workout buddy with manfriend. ive been MORE active with him in my life. i try and not be so hard on myself as i once was either. there are good days and bad days… i just try to even it all out at the end of the week.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Sadly I don’t. But Matt does! I’ve tried workout routines, but I never stick with them. I’ve actually tried several times, but somewhere along the way I get bored and lose the motivation.
It’s a major character flaw of mine. I’m still in search for something I’ll stick with and won’t bore me after just a few weeks.
So can you please send over some of that motivation you have my way? Kthanks!
November 12th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I think that happens all the time. Life just happens and you have to adapt to the new situation. Plus the same exact routine year after year will get boring. And your body may hit a plateau. Sounds like you have a nice balance.
As for me, my workout routine is well documented. The current program i’m in ends at the end of nov and won’t start up till jan. My concern is that I’ll lose what I’m working my ass off for right now. I don’t even know if it’s possible to take the program in Jan because some of the elite vb players may be joining and I’d be more out of my league than ever, not to mention it’s 5 days per week and I have work to think about.
And for me it’s not about vanity. I’m quite proud of my 39-year-old body. I’m in better shape than I’ve ever been, but maintaining speed, agility, and the best level fitness really does help a lot when it comes to being a good vb player.
But, I’ll just take it as it come.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:04 am
hmm. “routine.” i’ve heard of this. :-)
honestly, i don’t have the willpower. i work nearly hour away from my friends / the city / life, so if i work out AFTER work it means that’s the only thing i can do – i won’t be home until about 8 at the earliest. and i have Things To Do with friends nearly every night of the week. and i’ve tried, but AM workouts just are NOT for me. so… it’s a struggle. at least i have pole once a week! ;-)
November 12th, 2009 at 11:13 am
This is something I’m struggling with right now – I am not currently in any sort of routine and it’s killin’ me!
I’m still figuring out which classes at my new yoga studio I like best. Those times don’t exactly line up with my work schedule, so that’s tricky. They cancelled by beloved boot camp class, so that sucks. It’s dark after work now, which is when I like running most, and I HATE the treadmill…HATE, so I either run in the dark (fine when it’s not freezing or icy) or don’t run at all. I’m not a morning exerciser, so that cuts that option out…
It feels like so much effort right now to figure out what kind of workout I’m going to do on which day. I just want to get a schedule figured out and go for it!
(And I just had the biggest dejavu, like I’ve commented this before?!!??)
November 12th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I’ve actually moved away from routine to just the things I enjoy and now have the opposite problem where things are hurting and I should probably cut back (and be social instead!) but I don’t want to because I like the activities so much. I’ve already put in 5 hours of sweat time this week and still have a swim today and three hours of dance on Saturday. Technically I could go to another 90 minute class tonight, but I’m forcing myself to rest instead. Routine and training had the opposite effect on me that it should have. Doing what I love and letting myself skip if I’m not in the mood has me working out more than I ever have (including when I trained for a little triathlon).
November 12th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Up until about two months ago at which point everything changed, I was a 3 to 4 time per week at least person at the gym plus a few outdoor runs.
I joined a new gym recently so I’m working on a new routine which will hopefully Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday and maybe Sunday at the gym. My goal is at least four days a week and 60 minutes of cardio each time. The trick for me is to just get to the gym and then I crave the gym high each time. Plus, now that I have plenty of time in the evenings, I think it will be perfect for me =) Once I get closer to my goal weight, I’ll start adding weights in twice a week.
And kudos to Sweets on the triathalon decision. You are two are such an awesome couple for some reasons!
November 12th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Learning to XC ski in Michigan was the first time I felt athletic. There was an extra spring in my step that was kind of amazing. I don’t feel quite as athletic here in Utah, but all the hiking and skiing helps me feel in decent shape.
I cannot do exercise indoors. There’s no scenery, and gyms smell like rubber. I hate the gym.
Flatness has always been the one thing deterring me from living in Chicago. In all other regards, it’s the perfect city.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I do not have a regimen that works. I’m either pushing myself way too hard or doing nothing. I can’t seem to find the perfect balance.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
I had a routine when I was single…dating someone totally blows that stuff up. I used to work out almost every morning and hike every weekend. I think some of my slipping came with age and being more tired, but more of it came from bouncing back and forth between Mr. W’s house and mine. I am so tired in the mornings, I don’t get up to work out more than about twice a week usually – and it’s only for about 30 mins. Sometimes I try to exercise at night but if I run errands after work or do anything, I can’t seem to fit it in before 9:00. It’s frustrating. I still try to hike on the weekends when I can, but that’s more sporadic too. I look forward to living in the same house w/ Mr. W at some point – I think we’ll definitely get into a good routine then.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I have a simple routine; yoga every morning and walk to work and back each day , 20 minutes each way. According to my blood pressure and resting pulse rate, that’s a pretty good workout.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I’ve recently had to redo my routine because I needed to mix it up. I would do 30 minutes of cardio and weights but now I do free weights 2-3 days a week and classes the other four. It took a while to adjust but I like mixing it up more now. Nice change of pace.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:02 am
omg for me it’s the kids! it’s hard to have any time to work out when you’re rushing home from work to get them from the sitters and you’ve got dance classes and homework and baths and bed time. i don’t have time to work out. it’s just impossible right now. i’m hoping after new year when the baby is a bit older i’ll feel better about leaving her in the evenings after i’ve been gone from her all day to go work out. i need to for my health. i need to lose weight. gotta get my blood pressure down.