I don’t mean to brag, but… wait. Yes, yes, I do. I have been to the gym more in that last 2 months than I went all last year. I’m on week 4 of working out 4 days a week.
I am officially one of those people you want to punch who says, “I love going to the gym! I look forward to it. I love the way it makes me feel,” and means it.
In the past, of course, I’ve gone to the gym or ran insanely long distances outside of the gym, but I never, ever looked forward to it. I did it as a means to an end, and would make a lot of excuses not to go.
Now, I’m nearly skipping gleefully on my way after I’ve dropped the kids at childcare. And as soon as I’m done, I’m already planning my next visit. HAAAAAATTTE ME. It’s okay. Old me hates me, too.
I did some reflection last night while pushing through a few miles, trying to figure out what is at the root of this change, and this is what I can say:
It took followthrough and about 3 weeks. In the past, I didn’t consistently work out, and as soon as I saw results, I’d let myself slack off. We’re not talking results like a six pack. Nah. Just, like, the minute my pants buttoned again, I was like, “Welp. My work here is done.” This time, I really stayed focused on long-term results, and I’m challenging myself to go 4 days a week for as long as I can. After 3 weeks, I FINALLY started to not hate it.
I found a gym SUPER close to home. A new gym just opened so close to us we can WALK there! This is sooooooo exciting, especially because we’re not used to being able to walk anywhere out here in the ‘burbs. It’s nearly like having it in our own house. Now, is it the best gym? No. There are no fancy rock climbing walls, the pool is crazy small, and the childcare is essentially a large closet with a TV and an adult who I am pretty sure will just keep them alive while I’m gone. (The childcare room is an actual joke, honestly.) But it’s EASY to get there, and it’s fast, and the kids will be fine. They will hate me, but they will be fine… I’m mostly sure of this.
I stopped running on the treadmill. I’ve run 2 marathons, so I’ve always felt like running should be a big part of my workout. But I have always hated the treadmill, yet I still subject myself to it because… why? Because I feel like that’s the only way to do cardio? I don’t even know, but it’s soul sucking, and I was done with it. Now I’m all about the elliptical, but not in the way I’ve used it in the past. No casually bouncing up and down for 20 minutes while watching TV. I set it to high/intense intervals, and I really focus (and sweat!) for 20-30 minutes. TV off, tunes up. Also…
I mastered the rowing machine. Hey, if it’s good enough for the Underwoods! Also, I met some competitive rowers in Israel and holy crap they looked amazing. It’s a fantastic full body workout, especially if you do it right, and work hard at it. Definitely read up and watch some videos on how to do it properly. (Here are some I found helpful.) After just a week of doing it for 10 minutes each workout, I noticed a difference in my upper body strength and my posture.
I got wireless headphones. The wires of my headphones always annoyed the shit out of me when working out, and I ruined 2 pair by rowing over the wires. So I made an investment in myself and sprung for a pair of Skullcandy wireless headphones. FREEDOM!! I mean, did I NEED these to work out? No, but it’s made it so much more fun to listen to my Spotify playlists, which I love customizing for my workouts.
I keep my workout clothes clean and easy to find. Because, you know, it’s so easy to talk yourself out of the gym when you have nothing to wear. So I have a few outfits that I feel really great in, and I make sure to keep up with cleaning them.
I make it a priority. No seriously, really. I know I have to fit in 4 days in a week. I know I’d rather not be there on the weekends. So that really means I only get one weekday to skip. I always try to go on Mondays & Tuesdays so I can use the skip day later in the week if I need to. I think about what’s on my calendar that week, and plan out my workouts in my head, but I’m flexible. It’s not the end of the world if I don’t make it. I CAN go on the weekend if I have to. I don’t sabotage myself by waiting to get all 4 workouts in the last 4 days of the week.
I’m not weighing myself. For me, my goal is not necessarily to lose weight. I mean, yeah, that would be lovely and I do hope that happens, but it’s not how I’m judging my success. I want to feel better (and I am!) and I want my clothes to fit better (and they are!). I’m sure I’ll weigh myself eventually, but I haven’t stepped on a scale in 2 months. I know that if I do, and if I see that I haven’t lost what I arbitrarily feel is a number that represents all that work I’ve put in, then I’ll feel like a failure. And it’s hard to get failure-me to follow through on things.
Bonus: I’m putting myself out there, asking others to hold me accountable. I’m sharing a bit about it on Snapchat (I’m JillKrause there) and LOVE when people snap me back with their own fitness updates. I’m putting this here. I’m asking my husband to help me make this a priority and I’m helping him do the same.
I’d love for you to share what you’ve done or are doing to help make working out more fun for you. Do you love it? Share your secrets!
- 370Shares
24 comments
So I was working out 5 days a week. Running 3, outside because eff the treadmill, and then strength the other 2. And then I started working some night shifts and got sick and well, haven’t worked out in 3 months. I hate it. Hate. So now I’m done with the night shifts and want to start again. I’m giving myself this week off, just enjoying normal sleep. But next week it is on. I don’t have a support system, really, so it’s all on me, which is scary. Congrats to you!
Girl, night shift is no joke. Get some sleep! Your body needs that as much as anything else.
I’m trying to get workouts at home while my toddler sleeps. I’m loving yoga by Adriene on YouTube.
God Bless YouTube. That’s awesome! When I was working out at home I really loved using the Freeletics app.
i like to go gym for my health…
You should try an Orange Theory gym if you have one close to you! I hated (and I mean HATED!) working out until I tried one of their classes. It’s made me one of those people that now loves the gym. It also has pretty much eveything you’ve listed, except childcare… that’s why I go at 5am. :/
I’m so envious of your gym proximity! I’d have to drive at LEAST 30 minutes one way to get to one so a 30 minute workout would be more like a 2 hour investment.
Yay you! And me! I’m on an unbroken at-least-3-workouts-a-week streak that started in November and I relate to so much of this post!
I love the gym. I mean, really love it. Childcare is great at my gym and it’s close, but the best part is that it’s my time. Not only does it make me feel better physically, but it helps my brain on so many levels–it keeps the anxiety and depression demons at bay, and if they rear their ugly heads, I’m much more well-equipped to deal with them.
I hired a running coach to help me get to my goal time in my half. I don’t mind the treadmill that much. I joined a gym but the baby hates the daycare 🙁
My oldest was that way. Still is. 🙁
Thanks for such a good piece of imformation. It is really helpful to lots of people around the world.
thanks for sharing gym make me healthy…
It is really helpful.. thanks for sharing..
You are where I was last year. I was going to the Y about 3-4 times a week and loved the classes. Then at the end of summer, they decided to raise their monthly fee and my youngest was starting school so, in an effort to save money I told myself I could do it at home. Then I broke my foot and had my gall bladder removed in Sept & Oct, which had long recovery times. I’m still stalling on getting back into the groove. I miss it 🙁
Hi there,
i’m a lazy girl and this is surely gonna inspire me, i have always ingonred gym and workouts but now it’s time to give it a try LOL.
Thanks for sharing.
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I also just start to going gym. Its really change my life.
Going gym and doing exercise make us not only physically strong but also inside strong.
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I like to workout..
I am just started the Gym, but most of time not able to wake up on time. I will try these ideas to love my Gym.