Ugh... what a week. I wish I had a brilliant, thoughtful post for all of you this week, but I'm once again finding myself feeling pretty drained and carrying a heavy heart. There was an infant loss this week that really tore me apart - please keep those parents in your prayers - and I've been doing some heavy processing of a painful ministry experience this week. Plus Tim and Babette are gone so the apartment is way too quiet and lonely.
So I've decided that in lieu of an intellectually rigorous piece, I'm going to give you something lighter:
(post originally written in January)
1. Never forget your access card!
Or else when you knock on the window and start miming for the gal on the elliptical to have mercy on your forgetful soul, she'll look at you with confusion and disdain and then ignore you and make you feel less than two inches tall and you'll have to walk the entire half-block back to your apartment for your card and then walk the entire half-block back to the gym and awkwardly and silently work out on the elliptical next to hers for the next fifteen minutes while you both pretend that the other person doesn't exist.
2. There's no shame in working out on the lowest setting possible.
...Although it is a little disconcerting to move the weights from 250 lbs. down to 20 lbs. and contemplate just how bulging the muscles are on the arms of the person who last used that machine. But we all have to start somewhere, right?
3. Do not compare yourself to others.
Especially your husband, or you may end up pouting on the entire half-block walk home after you excitedly tell him that you just went a mile and a half on the elliptical in record time only to have him casually comment that he just ran three and a half miles and barely seems to have broken a sweat.
4. Seriously, stop comparing yourself to others!
As you can see by numbers two and three, this has been a major challenge for me, but I've slowly started to learn that it's just not worth the time and energy to focus on other people's fitness levels. You have a unique body and unique goals. It doesn't matter what other people are doing in there, so let it go. (Unless they don't clean their machines off, in which case feel free to hunt them down and call them out on that nonsense. Because that's just gross.)
5. Have a plan and try to stick to it.
I'm not the most organized person in the world, so I was pretty resistant to the idea when my husband pulled out his Excel spreadsheet and started documenting his max weights and machine settings. But after a few weeks of stumbling around to whatever machine happened to be open or gave me the best view of "Wheel of Fortune," I realized that it actually helps to monitor your progress on a chart, so you can see the slow improvements you're making and set small goals for yourself.
If that's too intense for you and it's a battle to even GET to the gym (as has been the case for me recently), try to set a manageable plan for yourself. If a daily gym goal is too intimidating, go for every other day. If you miss more than that, forgive yourself and pick up where you left off. But I've found that structure helps me considerably because it's so easy for me to slip out of habits and make excuses, so try to stay consistent with your routines.
6. Establish time limits to keep from pushing too hard, too fast.
I never thought this would be a problem for me until the Sunday afternoon that I had the gym to myself and Sleepless in Seattle was on TV. I kept making up excuses to stay until the end of the movie, which meant that I did more squats than any human being should ever do within a half hour time frame. I barely made it up the stairs that day... but oh, the magical moment atop the Empire State Building!
6. Establish time limits to keep from pushing too hard, too fast.
I never thought this would be a problem for me until the Sunday afternoon that I had the gym to myself and Sleepless in Seattle was on TV. I kept making up excuses to stay until the end of the movie, which meant that I did more squats than any human being should ever do within a half hour time frame. I barely made it up the stairs that day... but oh, the magical moment atop the Empire State Building!
Basically, pay attention to what's going on inside of you. Listen to your body. Push yourself to improve, but stop when your body tells you that you've gone too far!
7. Rest days are necessary.
Yes, you want to get your money's worth out of the membership. Yes, you're determined to run in that 5K or that triathlon. But your body needs to rest, and you'll only end up hurting yourself if you don't take the time you need for recovery.
8. Buy a decent pair of shoes if you can afford to.
I spent the first month wearing the crappy old tennis shoes that I'd been using for mowing the lawn back in undergrad because I was too lazy to clean the dog poop out of my newer tennis shoes and didn't want to track that crap into the gym. But footwear is essential (especially if you have back issues like me) so make the investment!
7. Rest days are necessary.
Yes, you want to get your money's worth out of the membership. Yes, you're determined to run in that 5K or that triathlon. But your body needs to rest, and you'll only end up hurting yourself if you don't take the time you need for recovery.
8. Buy a decent pair of shoes if you can afford to.
I spent the first month wearing the crappy old tennis shoes that I'd been using for mowing the lawn back in undergrad because I was too lazy to clean the dog poop out of my newer tennis shoes and didn't want to track that crap into the gym. But footwear is essential (especially if you have back issues like me) so make the investment!
As for other workout gear... we're on a budget, so I haven't invested in too many of those snazzy breathable workout clothes and instead opt for old t-shirts. (shrug) But hey, if you have the resources and you find that the clothes help, go for it! And if not... invest your money in quality shoes.
9. Celebrate your progress!
Getting active, especially after time away, can be very painful and painstaking work. It's exhausting, and sometimes it may feel like you'll never be able to push through or reach your goals. Right now you may feel like you can't even make it off the couch! But celebrate each baby step along the way. Every workout you do is a step forward and an investment in your health and your body. Take good care of it, as best you can, and then reward yourself for taking this time (in the form of a rest day to do something you love, a yummy cupcake, a bubble bath... whatever strikes your fancy!)
9. Celebrate your progress!
Getting active, especially after time away, can be very painful and painstaking work. It's exhausting, and sometimes it may feel like you'll never be able to push through or reach your goals. Right now you may feel like you can't even make it off the couch! But celebrate each baby step along the way. Every workout you do is a step forward and an investment in your health and your body. Take good care of it, as best you can, and then reward yourself for taking this time (in the form of a rest day to do something you love, a yummy cupcake, a bubble bath... whatever strikes your fancy!)
10. Be kind to yourself.
Listen to your body, and love it for its strengths and for its weaknesses. Your body is working hard for you, every second of every day. It is the only body you'll ever have, a beautiful vessel and a precious gift. Nurture it. Sustain it. Wrap yourself up in words of love and gratitude, and surround yourself with people who do the same.
And lastly...
11. Reach out to the people around you.
I see some of the same people day in and day out at our gym, and have started making friends with a couple of them. This was surprising to me, because I tend to be pretty introverted, and the first night we went to the gym I almost bailed because I was intimidated by all of the people that were there. Yes, I know it's odd for a chaplain to be so people-phobic/socially awkward... but when I've reached out in ministry all day long, my introverted self needs to recharge by hiding from the world at night! Much of the time I just get into my own little zone, which is totally fine and in fact I encourage you to do that, if it helps you. But one of my favorite memories from our gym is chatting with a new friend over an episode of Mythbusters late one night. I don't even remember what we talked about, but it was nice to have some companionship and solidarity to break up the run.
So if you're able to join a gym, I encourage you to take advantage of the built-in community! Join a class. Say hello to the person on the elliptical next to you. Bring a friend. Ask questions, and ask for help if you're not sure how to use a machine. Basically, just get connected with other people who are committed to fitness. The best way to stay fit is to have a web of people around you (or even just one person) to motivate you, challenge you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. So don't be afraid to reach out!
Okay, bedtime. Goodnight friends!
No comments:
Post a Comment