We are all feeling it these days; the workout slump. COVID hit us, fitness clubs closed, and our routines became lax. Staying in workout mode is much easier as the weather gets cooler and the days become shorter. This slump only makes us less energized, I promise. Being too tired to workout will only make you more tired throughout the day. You need that daily movement to help keep your endorphins going throughout the day, to keep your immune system healthy, for structure in your day, and for your mental health!
So the question is….HOW, WHAT, WHEN?
HOW
Send a friend or family member a text asking them to meet you at a fitness class, for a short run, at the gym, at the pool to swim laps, or anything tomorrow, yes, tomorrow, not following Monday. You can give yourself 20-60 minutes, your health and well-being are a priority. Start with a small manageable goal to feel good and successful! If you are a person that likes to do things on your own time and don’t want to meet a friend, lay out your fitness clothes tonight and get started tomorrow.
WHAT
What kind of workout? Any movement and exercise is good for the mind, body, and soul! Do not do something you don’t like to start, do something that seems interesting, fun, and energizing. If you hate running, don’t tell yourself that tomorrow you will start running 3 miles a day, that is a mental and physical game you would have to overcome. Leave those goals down the road when you need a fitness change-up or a challenge. You may think you don’t like something like water aerobics because it is not hard enough or is only for older people. Still, EVERY exercise has its benefits (side note…water fitness can be very challenging). At the very least, go for a brisk power walk and enjoy the change in leaves during the fall.
WHEN
One of the #1 reasons I hear people, especially busy parents, say they cannot workout or attend a fitness class is that they do not have the time. There is time in the day; it just needs to become your priority. I am sure that you scroll on social media, Amazon, the news, and email more than 20 minutes a day for unproductive reasons to pass the time. Me too; we all do! Take this time to put down the phone and move!!
I am very aware of the time crunch for working out, being a mom of 4, and that is why, for me personally, I have had to train myself to love early morning workouts. At 5:30 am nothing will get in the way besides sleep. I tell people all the time, “You will never be mad at yourself for waking up to workout, but you may regret that you hit the snooze and started your morning bummed to miss your workout.”
If you are not a morning person and have tried it, find another time in your day that you can commit to and say no to any distractions. Tell yourself that you can go to dinner, happy hour, book club, etc. after you have given yourself the gift of movement.
My last suggestion is to exercise while you are at your child’s practice or when they are warming up before a game. There is generally space in the area where you can do some sort of walking or movement for 20 minutes. You do not need to sit and watch every second of the warm-up or practice. Or park early to pick them up from school or practice, and while you are waiting, walk, find a space to do a mini HIIT workout, run the bleachers, anything!
I must note that with all of this being said, please also respect your bodies and the need for rest, which may even mean Restorative and Slow-Flow Yoga. If you are already in workout mode, remember it is equally important to let your body recover.
Do not be hard on yourself if you miss a day, need to rest, or something comes up; this is how the rabbit hole can start, we are all human and deserve grace for ourselves. I have confidence you will pick back up later in the day or tomorrow to feel great!
You can do this, feel great, come to a class, or reach out if you just cannot get motivated—that is why we are here for you at Wembley!
~Colleen (colleen@wembleyclub.com
