I also find it useful to pick fun/crappy/light TV shows I usually don't find time to watch (either because they're silly or because I'm the only in the family who wants to see them) and save them up for treadmill or bike trainer time. Last week I wasn't super motivated to go to the gym, but then I remembered that I hadn't finished the JonBenet Ramsey true crime documentary--and I needed to figure out who the heck killed that girl! Get on that treadmill, lady. There's a '90s crime to solve and you get to watch whether you run fast, run slow, or walk!
in my book there's a whole section about how you should pick a thing to do that ISN'T exercising that you can do while exercising that'll get you hyped for it. New playlist, book, show, etc. Totally works
This, so much, especially because usually when I feel super blah about exercise it's a symptom of something else in my routine that isn't working right! Not enough sleep, need to eat more, been sick, have a lot going on at work that's sapping my energy, etc. A period of Doing The Least Without Actually Not Doing Anything has gotten me through many a dry spell without completely throwing away my entire fitness base. It makes it so much easier to pick it back up once I've solved for my problem or gotten through the difficult time
that's such a good point. if i don't wanna work out it's usually because of something else entirely. when all systems are in good working order i can't wait to exercise
Any movement is better than none. Over the past few weeks sometimes I'd manage 30 mins of yoga, or 20 minutes on the Peloton, or just a walk to the store. It's really true that as long as you make a habit of moving, you're on the right track. It's fine to have goals and aspirations, but if you try and force yourself to do THE BEST WORKOUT ALWAYS, of course you're going to hate exercise.
I’ve been in “it all counts” mode for the last couple months. After training really hard the last two years to rebuild from my knee injury I just got burned out in weightlifting. So I’ve just been going for walks most days, usually about two miles, or going on the treadmill. Since it’s winter and it’s so dark in the PNW I don’t have much energy anyway.
Love this, I'm reading while walking in circles around my coffee table. I almost spent $120 on a walking pad before I realized there is literally no difference except one feels like an Official Workout
I’m getting back into exercise after dealing with health issues by doing some silly little online video exercises on my living room floor. It is still very difficult and I keep thinking “does this count?!”, “I bet no one else would consider this proper exercise” and so on. I don’t even have social media for a few years! It has seeped into our subconscious how an exercises “should” look like after years and years of messaging.
On our annual gym wrap, I found out that I’m the 5th best at turning up. I’m not the 5th strongest or the 5th most committed during the workout itself but it seems I’m good at getting out of bed in the morning. I listen to podcasts while doing Zone 2. I’m good enough 💪🏼
I appreciated this so much. My workout tonight was not great, I felt bad about scaling and so relieved to be done. I showed up for my gym friends and moved today. It’s good enough. Thanks 😊
I needed a replacement for my stanky lifting sweatshirt so I cut the sleeves off a sweatshirt I bought in 2001. My kids immediately asked why I looked like grandpa. But I take that as a compliment because their grandpa is 65 and routinely wipes the floor with a bunch of firefighters in a weekly pickup basketball game (which totally counts as exercise). Your point about tuning out from IG for the month of January is spot on - no one needs anything new to give fitness a try. At least that’s what works for me and my 23 year old sleeveless sweatshirt! 😂
Something is always better than nothing!! I find that even if I have a “bad” workout, it’s easy to get over that and make the next one better, but if I skip a non-rest day, it becomes really tempting to skip the next day too. It’s all about momentum!
Two years ago, I bought a WaterRower (base model, on sale) for my itty bitty, teeny tiny studio. I love that sucker. I got it because I appreciate the design and wanted the water's "whoosh". My favorite part is when I just don't want to exercise/do anything, I get on it, watch something dumb on TV, and -- before I know it -- I've worked up a sweat. Rowing is one of the best exercises I've found because it will both kick your ass and relax you at the same time. Go figure. One more upside: No bra required. Since COVID, I've opted out of the gym/group classes. I get by with urban hikes (the streets near me are hilly with some nice inclines), my rower, kettlebells on YouTube and CorePower OnDemand. I never thought I would love Yoga Sculpt, but I do. Their CSX is pretty good, too. I hide my kettlebells and weights behind a chair, the rower gets moved up against a wall, yoga mat rolled onto a shelf. There are lots of things we can do, no matter how tight our space is (I'm not joking about my place being itty bitty, teeny tiny) if a gym isn't feasible. And walking to lunch or for little errands -- incorporating movement as a regularly scheduled event. An extraordinary playlist makes that even more enjoyable. Love this, Mikala. I'm a huge proponent of seeing exercise not as a punishment or something we do to ourselves but for ourselves. Making it a normal part of life. And just doing what feels good. (Also, not much feels good in the beginning. While I'm a great urban hiker, rowing pummeled me in the beginning. Patience and perseverance is required. Especially if you have something fun, like asthma.) xo
I also find it useful to pick fun/crappy/light TV shows I usually don't find time to watch (either because they're silly or because I'm the only in the family who wants to see them) and save them up for treadmill or bike trainer time. Last week I wasn't super motivated to go to the gym, but then I remembered that I hadn't finished the JonBenet Ramsey true crime documentary--and I needed to figure out who the heck killed that girl! Get on that treadmill, lady. There's a '90s crime to solve and you get to watch whether you run fast, run slow, or walk!
in my book there's a whole section about how you should pick a thing to do that ISN'T exercising that you can do while exercising that'll get you hyped for it. New playlist, book, show, etc. Totally works
This, so much, especially because usually when I feel super blah about exercise it's a symptom of something else in my routine that isn't working right! Not enough sleep, need to eat more, been sick, have a lot going on at work that's sapping my energy, etc. A period of Doing The Least Without Actually Not Doing Anything has gotten me through many a dry spell without completely throwing away my entire fitness base. It makes it so much easier to pick it back up once I've solved for my problem or gotten through the difficult time
that's such a good point. if i don't wanna work out it's usually because of something else entirely. when all systems are in good working order i can't wait to exercise
Any movement is better than none. Over the past few weeks sometimes I'd manage 30 mins of yoga, or 20 minutes on the Peloton, or just a walk to the store. It's really true that as long as you make a habit of moving, you're on the right track. It's fine to have goals and aspirations, but if you try and force yourself to do THE BEST WORKOUT ALWAYS, of course you're going to hate exercise.
100%
I’ve been in “it all counts” mode for the last couple months. After training really hard the last two years to rebuild from my knee injury I just got burned out in weightlifting. So I’ve just been going for walks most days, usually about two miles, or going on the treadmill. Since it’s winter and it’s so dark in the PNW I don’t have much energy anyway.
yes! walking is IT
Love this, I'm reading while walking in circles around my coffee table. I almost spent $120 on a walking pad before I realized there is literally no difference except one feels like an Official Workout
this is amazing and a hilarious image. i do this while on the phone. i log like 10K apartment steps on a long catchup call with a girlfriend lol
I’m getting back into exercise after dealing with health issues by doing some silly little online video exercises on my living room floor. It is still very difficult and I keep thinking “does this count?!”, “I bet no one else would consider this proper exercise” and so on. I don’t even have social media for a few years! It has seeped into our subconscious how an exercises “should” look like after years and years of messaging.
On our annual gym wrap, I found out that I’m the 5th best at turning up. I’m not the 5th strongest or the 5th most committed during the workout itself but it seems I’m good at getting out of bed in the morning. I listen to podcasts while doing Zone 2. I’m good enough 💪🏼
turning up is the hardest part!!! brava
I'm doing a rewatch of Madmen and I saw that very scene today. Very wise words! I'm enjoying MM more the second time around.
i've watched it all the way through like 4-5 times lol
Thank you - love this! That’s all 🤩
I appreciated this so much. My workout tonight was not great, I felt bad about scaling and so relieved to be done. I showed up for my gym friends and moved today. It’s good enough. Thanks 😊
good enough!!!
I needed a replacement for my stanky lifting sweatshirt so I cut the sleeves off a sweatshirt I bought in 2001. My kids immediately asked why I looked like grandpa. But I take that as a compliment because their grandpa is 65 and routinely wipes the floor with a bunch of firefighters in a weekly pickup basketball game (which totally counts as exercise). Your point about tuning out from IG for the month of January is spot on - no one needs anything new to give fitness a try. At least that’s what works for me and my 23 year old sleeveless sweatshirt! 😂
need a merch line that says GRANDPA STRONG right now tbh
Yessss 🤣
Truth!
the first season of unreal was perfect and every other season was… unwatchable
and yet nevertheless i persisted lol
throwing a hell yeah in the chat
Something is always better than nothing!! I find that even if I have a “bad” workout, it’s easy to get over that and make the next one better, but if I skip a non-rest day, it becomes really tempting to skip the next day too. It’s all about momentum!
Two years ago, I bought a WaterRower (base model, on sale) for my itty bitty, teeny tiny studio. I love that sucker. I got it because I appreciate the design and wanted the water's "whoosh". My favorite part is when I just don't want to exercise/do anything, I get on it, watch something dumb on TV, and -- before I know it -- I've worked up a sweat. Rowing is one of the best exercises I've found because it will both kick your ass and relax you at the same time. Go figure. One more upside: No bra required. Since COVID, I've opted out of the gym/group classes. I get by with urban hikes (the streets near me are hilly with some nice inclines), my rower, kettlebells on YouTube and CorePower OnDemand. I never thought I would love Yoga Sculpt, but I do. Their CSX is pretty good, too. I hide my kettlebells and weights behind a chair, the rower gets moved up against a wall, yoga mat rolled onto a shelf. There are lots of things we can do, no matter how tight our space is (I'm not joking about my place being itty bitty, teeny tiny) if a gym isn't feasible. And walking to lunch or for little errands -- incorporating movement as a regularly scheduled event. An extraordinary playlist makes that even more enjoyable. Love this, Mikala. I'm a huge proponent of seeing exercise not as a punishment or something we do to ourselves but for ourselves. Making it a normal part of life. And just doing what feels good. (Also, not much feels good in the beginning. While I'm a great urban hiker, rowing pummeled me in the beginning. Patience and perseverance is required. Especially if you have something fun, like asthma.) xo