Workout Routines

Off and On Again

Some of you may be wondering why I’m sharing on this topic – after all, she’s not in that good of shape.  But because I struggle with creating and maintaining a consistent working out routine, and have pretty much struggled with it since high school, I can offer you this encouragement – if I can change and start something new in my mid-forties – anyone can do it!

Make it a Priority

I’m a planner and I ♥️ making lists.  I usually take time each Sunday to write out my goals for the week and to plan it out.  I review the various meetings or appointments that I have scheduled in my calendar for the week, and I’ll rearrange different blocks of time in my day to make sure that I’m able to get a workout in.  I have a daily meeting scheduled on my Google calendar to workout, but I’ve found that because some of the “reward” of accomplishing the task is physically checking it off my list – I also write it on a physical planner as my top goal for the week.

The reason I failed to do this in the past was that I never made working out and my physical health and strength a priority.  I’m starting to feel the aches and pains more frequently when I wake up in the mornings, so I feel the urgency to get stronger in my back, my legs, my core, etc.

My health must be a priority to me!

Find What Works For You

I’ve been following specific Beachbody workout programs for the past 6 months.  This allows me not to stress about how many times each week I’m working out or what my workout consists of – I just follow the calendar for the programs.  Right now, I have a goal to run a 5k by the end of the year (and I’m targeting a race in late October), so I’m following the  30-day Breakaway workout routine in which I’m weight lifting and running 5 – 6 days a week.

Take It Slow

Prior to this last month, I haven’t run consistently in over a decade.  And even in the previous workout routines, I would modify many of the moves.  My biggest concern is not to push myself too hard that it results in injury.  This would slow down my training and progress.  Even the 30-day Breakaway creator and supertrainer, Idalis Velazquez, says that she has to modify in almost every workout.  Well if she does it, then I don’t need to feel bad about myself because I modify.  At least I’m working on getting better each time! 

A Giant Leap

Although it’s good to take things slow, sometimes you may need to take big steps initially or at different intervals in your workout regime so you don’t plateau.  One of the things that I did last year at the very beginning of my health refocus journey was to follow the Whole30 Program.  

I checked out the Whole30 program book and cookbook from the library, and followed it completely.  Kyle was completely supportive, but did not participate with me – even so I was still able to follow it completely.

Try New Things

I haven’t followed a nutritional program quite that extreme in a while. But I did try the keto diet following the keto. book by Maria and Craig Emmerich (of course from the library) and occasionally will do some intermittent fasting to feel better – especially if I’m not hungry at the traditional meal times.  My goal has been to be more aware of what my body is telling me instead of just operating under habit.

Keep it Up

There are days when I wake up and I don’t feel like working out right away.  I have a few choices to make – I can push through and do it anyway OR I go to my office and start working instead.  But on my desk I keep my weekly goal list and I can see that I haven’t checked off working out for the day.  Usually by lunch time, I’ve looked at the checklist at least 10 times and push myself to wrap up whatever task I’m doing at the moment and go follow the routine for the specific day – just so I can check it off!

NSVs (or Non-Scale Victories)

Prior to starting the 30-Day Breakaway program in mid-July, I took all of my body’s measurements.  I already completed the program one time for 30 days.  And because I feel healthier and stronger and I’ve received compliments from people on how I look, I decided that I would wait to take my measurements, and start the program a second time before checking the measurements again.  I didn’t want to get discouraged by not making ‘enough’ progress. 

The best thing that I’ve noticed is how I feel when I’m moving around on the boat.  There’s a lot of bending over and crouching down and crawling around on SV Zeke E Boy.  I want to be able to continue sailing for a long time – like the previous owners who were over 80 years old when they decided it was too much for them!  If that’s the case, then I need to keep up the workout routine!

Your Health is Yours – Take Control of it

This is especially true as I’m not getting any younger – I feel my body’s aches and pains more in the morning.  And I’m more tired in the evenings, but if it is the Lord’s will (James 4:15), I want to do everything in my power to be as healthy as I can.  This means persevering when I want to give up AND overcoming when I want to be lazy.

Our theme scripture for 2022 is Romans 12:1 – 3 (below is the New Living Translation version):

Tell us what you think

I hope that you’ll find some inspiration or motivation on your own health journey in what I’ve just shared.  I have not ‘arrived’ in this area, so I’d love to hear what keeps you motivated.  How do you push yourself to keep up a workout routine and maintain a healthy lifestyle?  Do you have any other recommendations?  Please share your feedback in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

– Kara from Zeke Life

Live like Zeke
You’re such a good boy!