RUNNING LEGGINGS: c/o Prism Sport (sold out, much more terrific options here) | VEST: c/o Prism sport | SPORTS BRA: c/o Prism sport | SNEAKERS: Nike (similar here and here)
Since our wedding in mid-August, I’ve majorly fallen off the workout wagon. Well, I like to think of it less as falling off the workout wagon and much more as jumping on the indian delivery/french fries/ranch dressing goes on everything wagon. This wagon is delicious, but this wagon is my downfall.
Frighteningly, the holidays are fast approaching which means much more of the same poor eating practices and limited time to exercise (work holiday parties, friend holiday parties, lots o’ family stuff…), so I feel like intervention time is NOW. Because really, if I don’t turn this ship around shortly, I might as well just go bathe in a tub of high-fructose corn syrup until January 4th.
Since I personally need a kick in the pants and because soooo numerous of you have been requesting a workout post for… forever… I figured I’d finally oblige (sorry it took so long) and give you my top tips on what I do to work out, how to fit a workout into your workweek, and how to actually stick to it.
TIP #1: SET A SCHEDULE
At the beginning of the week set a workout schedule. I’m not talking about saying to yourself, “Ok, I’m going to workout three times this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work.” I’m talking about pulling up your iphone calendar (or whatever you rely on) and actually inputting a 60 minute time slot into those three days at particular times. Throughout the week as things come up, this will allow you to schedule and plan around your workouts. If I have a workout on my calendar and my girlfriends text me to get drinks I’m able to say, sure, I’m totally free after 7:30! And stick to that 6:00pm run.
If I just say loosely “I’m going to exercise after work tonight” it’s so much easier to get distracted by all of the other things in my life—work, social events, TV shows that I’m binge watching, google image searches of the royal babies—important things that come up throughout the day and cause me to completely forget that I had a workout in mind. Honestly, simply forgetting to workout is typically my most significant problem. I get caught up in life and work and all of a sudden it’s midnight, I’m going to bed, and I realize I completely forgot I had planned on working out. If I had scheduled a workout and it was on my calendar (with a pointer set), I probably would have allocated my time differently during the day to stick to a much more efficient schedule.
How numerous of you just google image searched the royal babies? ; )
If you’re a morning workout person, you especially have to do this—get it on the calendar and commit. If you allow yourself to decide when you’re going to bed at 11:30pm (or when your alarm clock goes off at 6:30am) the possibility that you’ll make an excuse and sleep in is so much higher. The excuses I’m able to weave in a semi-comatose state when my alarm sounds at 6:00am and I’m expected to decide whether or not to workout that morning are nothing short of extraordinary. If you have it on your calendar and you’ve already chose (and better yet, prepaid for a workout class maybe?), you’ll be able to plan ahead so you can get to sleep earlier the night before your workouts and in the morning, there’s nothing left up in the air… except for a few expletives when you’re heaving yourself out of bed.
TIP #2: FIT IN SHORT workouts & mix IT UP
Ideally, we’d all have time to workout for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. However, let’s face it. Ain’t. Nobody. Got. Time. If you know you have a super busy week where you just can’t make your favorite 90 minute yoga classes, don’t forget that it isn’t all or nothing. There are easy 10-20 minute workouts that you can do anywhere. If you can’t schedule those full-blown sweat sessions, still schedule 20 minutes at home where you do a easy circuit of sit-ups, lunges and push-ups, for example.
In general, mixing up your workout routine is not only better for your body, but also better for your state of mind. Personally, I can be a creature of practice and will in some cases end up doing the same workout class for weeks in a row. However, after a few weeks I’ll burn out and all of a sudden feel bored of the routine, and eager to make excuses. To avoid this, find a group of workouts that you enjoy, rotate them throughout the week, and don’t be scared to periodically throw in a new workout class into your schedule.
Here are the 5 primary workout types that I do:
I’ve been a runner because I was young, and whether it’s on the treadmill or the streets of San Francisco, this is my cardio of choice.
There are a couple parks and some buildings in my neighborhood that have super long outdoor stairs. I’m a big fan of a couple sets of stairs at the beginning orend of my run.
I love pilates, and particularly love pilates-yoga fusion classes.
I love barre method classes.
I love Barry’s Bootcamp.
I keep 5, 10 and 15 pound hand weights in my house so that on days when I don’t have time to get to the gym, I’m able to do some lunges, sit ups, and easy weight training at home on a yoga mat.
I love the arm workout you get from bringing a cheeseburger from the table to your mouth.
I know, I know, there’s no spinning on that list. It’s quite possible that I’m the only girl on the planet that despises spinning classes. I can’t discuss it. I’ve tried several times and have always despised the whole thing. Go figure.
TIP #3: GEAR MATTERS
I spent the majority of the first 18 years of my life either at a sporting event or en route to my next sporting event. Between that and growing up with boys, I was never big on what I used to call “cutesie” workout gear. Admittedly, I used to roll my eyes a bit at the girls who show up to the gym in head-to-toe pink lululemon matchy-matchiness. I was always much more of the girl who threw on a pair of old basketball shorts, a t-shirt from an 11th grade tournament and ran out the door. However, after getting some outstanding Under Armour running t-shirts for Christmas a few years ago, I was shocked at the enormous difference they made in my workout and immediately started hoarding them in troves. For me, lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick sweat away are among the most prized belongings in my closet. Below is all of my favorite workout gear:
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P.S. Was this post helpful? Are there much more topics that you’d really like to hear about? Please let me know in the comments!