I’ve been really rubbish this week in terms of keeping the exercise going. I could easily plead pressure of work, and I wouldn’t be telling an untruth, however that’s my life so if I’m going to make this exercise thing work for me, I need to get a grip and do better.
In addition to all the usual stuff that steals my time, there were a couple of days this week where I brought work home and worked right through the evening. I was up against the clock so even things like walking with the dog for an hour when I got home didn’t happen on those days. By the time I made it up the stairs at bedtime, doing 20 minutes on the cross-trainer was the very last thing I felt like doing. And at the back end of the week I was working away, so I couldn’t.
As a result of all that, the Asshole voice scored some easy victories this week. Ah you can make up for it tomorrow…of course, I didn’t…you’re not a machine and right now rest is more important. Now it’s the weekend and I’m sitting here reviewing the sum total of my exercise across the week…all I can count are three buttons and a bottle top. Shit. Somewhere, there will have been people even busier than me doing exercise, of that I’m fairly sure.
I don’t want to make excuses you know? I saw a quote in one of my favourite blogs Totally Kathy this week which went along the lines of ‘every time I make an excuse, I am robbed of the chance to learn’. How true is that, and it’s been buzzing around in my head all week, dammit. What I need to learn, is how to make this exercise thing fit me.
It boils down to this…if something is important enough, I‘ll find a way. And if it’s not, I’ll find an excuse. If it’s important but I genuinely can’t do it, that’s a reason, and sometimes I’ll just need to suck it up. It’s time for me to carefully fold that black belt in excuses which I’ve owned for many years and hand it back for good because I don’t want that life any more.
Do you remember a couple of weeks ago, I was going overkill on the exercise, to the point where I was refusing to step off even when I was in pain? I think giving myself permission to opt out for genuine reasons has gone to my head a bit, and this week the pendulum has swung way too far in the other direction. So that’s the other thing I need to learn…finding balance, and making the right call.
It’s true, I was working away and overnighting at the back end of this week. And I didn’t get to my hotel until around 9pm after what had been an early start and a long day. But although it was dark out, and I was in a strange place, I could have walked ten times around the car park whilst I was waiting for room service to rustle up my dinner. Nothing hurt, I had no reason not to exercise…the Asshole voice just convinced me that I couldn’t be bothered. That’s an excuse, not a reason and I shouldn’t have listened.
I’m not going to be too hard on myself, because these lessons…well, they all count. It’s all part of the journey, right? 🙂
Hey there Dee – don’t be so hard on yourself – it falls at the end of a lot of to do lists. This week I started “housewalking” — a term Hungry Girl threw out there last year. It feels less overwhelming than doing an actual exercise session sometimes, and it does rack in those steps.
If you haven’t listened to the call Oprah did with WW members I would highly recommend it — it’s an hour and if you listen while walking it really makes the time fly by. So then later I downloaded some other podcasts — and, well — maybe this can become a habit of some sort.
The last 2 weeks at WW I gained .2 each week — not tragic I know but not where I want to be going — and I slapped myself out of the “well I’m tracking everything but why aren’t I losing” when I looked back and saw some of my choices like chips and cookies. Yep — tracking them! But that’s not the only piece to the puzzle. So this week has been much better.
It’s hard when you’re tired and you have so much work — maybe if you get up and walk 10 minutes for every hour you’re sitting that will at least get some steps in
Hi Beth, I’m feeling a little more forgiving today, since you’re all pretty much in agreement that I should be a bit more measured in my approach and step the hell off 🙂 I’ll look out for that podcast, thanks that sounds like a great idea.D x
Personally I need days off. And while I need to be firm with myself I also am leery of guilt and perfectionism as a path to failure – I usually really WANT to go. I only plan 4-5 days at the gym. I sometimes really don’t want to go – or can’t – and I just roll with that.
It’s a tough thing – but I’ve fallen off this wagon so often – I’m learning that I need to do two steps forward one back in order to make it a lifelong thing – I cannot be perfect, my life is chaos [as most people’s is – work, kids, parents, events] and I need flex in my schedule. As long as the baseline is good I’ll get there eventually – and the goal is NOT changing ever again.
That’s such a great attitude Cherie…my ‘be perfect’ driver just complicates things doesn’t it!
The thing to remember is that you build muscle on the days off! It sounds weird, but it’s true. Without the days off, the muscle cannot recover and build up and get stronger. That’s also a good reason to alternate upper and lower body workouts, one set of muscles rests and rebuilds while the other is working out.
Well that’s good to know. My optician thinks I should get a personal trainer, he reckons I need a few pointers since I know nothing and might hurt myself! That seemed a bit dramatic though 🙂
Hah! You’ve taken an irrevocable step in nipping this bud, Bud! – Telling us, as you KNOW we give a shit. Great advice from Jan!
So, I have it in my mind to exercise 5x a week, minimum 3 – as fuel for my calorie budgeting. I do think in terms of the week. Come Friday, there is still something I can do about it. (Oddly, not exercizing makes me more vulnerable to eating/craving, so i must work harder again to police my intake). We’re such a walking chemistry set.
Saluting You, Mistress of the Mariachis! F
That’s IT Fleury – you’re a genius. I need to give myself a couple of days in the week off. Agree five days over seven, with two days off. That might just work. That way cutting myself some slack for days where it’s just too much will work without throwing my schedule off. Brilliant 🙂 🙂 🙂
Corollary to Why Maybe I Shouldn’t Charge at the Gate, with this exercise thing:
possibility of burn out. Some folks discover Fitness, & sport, when they first add Vitamin X to their weight loss regimen, & Hallelujah! they paddle off like a duckling who just found water. I am not one of them. Love, Fleury
No, me either, although I’ve just finished 25 minutes on the hurt machine and I survived!
The exercise habit is the hardest one to get into I think especially if you’ve never been into it in the past. Your body wonders what the hell is going on and the gremlins in your head go into overtime working on reasons (excuses) why you should stop. It’s all too easy as you’ve found to start off too hard and fast, end up injured and then have to stop.
Take a breath, write yourself up a sensible schedule increasing by no more than 10% a week then commit to it for a month. It works trust me. I am not a natural exerciser but today I walked 8 miles. When I started my journey 11 months and 5 stone ago I struggled to walk half a mile. Take it steady Dee, use your Project Management skills and be your own personal project. Jan X
That’s wise advice Jan…congratulations on your progress that’s epic. It’s so typical of me, running at it like a bull at a gate – I’ll learn one of these days 🙂