Last week I wrote about about the importance of my very predictable fitness routine. I have a basic exercise plan that I pretty much follow day in and day out. But, life being what it is, I have learned that being flexibile can be almost as important as having a routine–and I don’t mean being able to touch my toes or approximate a forward fold with Rodney Yee.
Ever since I started exercising regularly (about 11 years ago), first thing in the morning has been my workout time. Between work, my kids’ after-school activities and getting dinner on the table, I literally did not have time to exercise in the afternoon or evening. Now my kids are older, but I still don’t get home from work until 6:00 or 7:00, and I still try to fix dinner most nights, so I still workout in the mornings. I think it’s a great way to start my day, and the endorphins wake me up more than any grande bold coffee from Starbucks could.
But sometimes I don’t workout in the morning. Sometimes I do hit the snooze button too many times. Sometimes I have to leave the house early for a work meeting, a business trip, or one of my son’s sports events. When that happens, being too rigid about my routine can keep me from getting in a workout. On those days, being flexible can help me stick with my overall fitness program.
I have learned to be flexible with what I do for my workout. I used to think that if I didn’t have 45-60 minutes for a workout, I didn’t have time for a workout. Now I know that even 20 minutes is “worth it.” In 20 minutes, I can enjoy a brisk walk in my neighborhood, get sweaty on the elliptical, do the short program on my Bob Harper Pure Burn Super Strength DVD or do one of the programs on my Rodney Yee A.M. Yoga For Your Week DVD.
While it’s more difficult, I also have learned to be flexible with when I do more workout. While it can be hard to tear myself away from my desk, I usually can take a walk at lunch. If I can get home by 4:00 or 5:00, I can fit in a solid workout before dinner. If I get home late, I can take a walk, do yoga, or do some stretching and foam rolling.
Having a routine is essential to my fitness program, but being flexible when life interferes with my routine makes my prorgram even stronger.
Do you have a regular workout routine?
If you miss your regular workout, do you try to make it up?
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You gotta try a week of spontaneous workouts! I think I left a similar comment to a similar post but my workouts are not planned to a t, I think I embraced that from triathlon training. Having no exact workout plan makes it so that I didn't really "miss" a workout, I'll do something!
Maybe in another life … or if I ever get a real staycation–it's hard to be spontaneous at 5:00 am!
lol to being hard to be spontaneous at 5 a.m
I know that feeling…get up and lace up running shoes, out door by 5, then back and get the day going! while mine aren't planned to a T, they are pretty routine…
I like to workout in the mornings…even if that means that I will have to get up at 4am to get it all in. I try to make up missed workouts but it gets difficult…things always come up…you know how that is.
I think 4:45 is the earliest I've set my alarm for a workout!