Hi Friends!
Many of you long time readers may remember when I got my fitbit way back in April for my birthday. The first day I got it, I walked about 4,000 steps. The next day I set a goal for myself to start walking at least 10,000 steps every day. I did really well for a while. I was running a lot, walking the dogs, and easily fitting in those steps, especially on days that I was working at the assisted living facility and walking to and from several classes.
Then I graduated…and I quit my job at the assisted living facility…and it got a little harder to get those steps in- but I was still doing it. Then it started getting even harder as I started my internship. I started getting obsessive. I was pacing around the kitchen or the basement, running 3 miles and then walking an extra two late at night just to get that number to hit 10,000.
Then I got sick. And after 5 1/2 months of walking at least 10,000 steps every single day, there was a day that I only walked 3,600 steps. I was sick, I had a fever, I was exhausted, and I let myself rest.
Quite honestly, I can’t tell you what a relief it was. It was like a huge amount of pressure had been lifted off my shoulders…which is silly, because the only reason the pressure was there in the first place was because I put it there.
It’s been about 3 weeks since that 3,600 step day. Since then, there’s only been a handful of days that I’ve reached 10,000 steps. And I’m ok with it. After I broke my 10,000 step streak, I decided to take some time to reassess my goals. I looked back at the past several months and thought about what had been going well and what was missing.
Here’s what I realized:
- I missed circuit workouts. And tabatas. And sprints. And intervals.
- I missed hard and heavy workouts I could do in my basement…the ones that got my heart pumping but really didn’t require a whole lot of space.
- And I missed lifting weights.
I realized that in my quest to get in 10,000 steps every day….I had given up some of my favorite workouts in favor of running, simply because running gave me more steps. I stopped lifting weights because it didn’t involve moving around enough to get me the steps I needed.
And that was silly.
So here’s my new plan:
- Lift weights 2-3 times per week
- Run 1-2 times per week
- Circuit/interval/tabata workouts 2-3 times per week
I realize this is a pretty loose training plan. It doesn’t define which workouts I do on which days. It gives me a lot of freedom. But I’ve done this in the past. I know that it works best for me. It gives me enough variety to keep me interested and enough freedom to be realistic. I have loose guidelines…I know what I need to accomplish over the course of the week. But I have the freedom to choose what I want to do on certain days, based on how I’m feeling that day, my mood, when I feel like I need to rest, etc.
As for my fitbit, I will still wear it. I was still (loosely) aim to get 10,000 steps each day because I believe that it’s important to MOVE MORE…but I won’t kill myself to do it. I will makes small changes throughout the day to move more. I will walk the dogs regularly. I will use my fitbit as a motivational tool…But I will also realize that some day I can get in a killer workout, lift AND walk the dogs and I still won’t reach 10,000 steps…AND THAT’S OK.
So there you have it!
To celebrate this reassessment, I jumped back into my beloved tabata workouts by doing the following- it was short & sweet and I loved it!
Let’s chat:
How often do you reevaluate your workout routine?
Happy Friday!
–Lindsay–
We all need some perspective sometime. I think you found a healthy balance that works for you! Way to go girly! 😀
It sounds like you’ve found a great program for you. I haven’t reevaluated my workouts in ages, but I’m pretty happy with what I do. I do change up a little if I’m training for a race, but generally I love the way my workouts fit into my life. Except I need to fit in more yoga!
Good for you!!! It is funny how we can get attached to a random goal like that. I do the same thing with my FitBit. It’s kind of fit (haha) for my lifestyle. I walk in the morning while commenting on blogs from my phone, and then by the time I walk the 3 blocks and back to the gym for my weight workout I’ve usually hit it. That said, I do let it do 1-2x a week. Usually after a leg day… my body is screaming so loud I have no choice by to listen to it and REST. 🙂
My plans often look very similar to yours – a general sense of what I want to try to accomplish during the week and the types of workouts I want to get in. I appreciate the flexibility that it offers. That’s interesting about what happened with the FitBit and great that you were able to step back and see what happened. 10,000 steps per day is a really alluring goal and I can totally see what it was easy to get attached to it. Re-assessment is good and glad that you’ve found a plan to move forward.
Box jumps scare me! I need to work on them because jump lunges and tuck jumps used to scare me but they don’t anymore.
you can do it! start small!
I have a fitbit, too — actually, your review is what intrigued me, and my hubs got it for my bday! — and it’s really, really hard for me to reach 10,000 steps. I also like Tabata and circuit workouts, so I’ve learned to just stop looking at the steps and look at the burn. I’ve just rejoined the gym after a two-year hiatus, so I’m going to have to readjust my workout. Right now I’m just in heaven with all the new equipment that my home workouts lacked!!
While I think the 10,000 steps a day advice is very important, the key part is really like you said, MOVE MORE. You should be doing a workout that you enjoy. That’s what’s going to keep you moving for years and years anyway.
I re-evaluate my routine every so often just to keep it fresh. Your body and mind need that!
couldn’t agree more 🙂
Good for you, recognizing when to re-evaluate. I become the same way with running. If I do it because I have a goal to do x miles / week, then I begin to hate it. I had to take a step back and recognize why I’m running, and I, too, missed my other workouts. Since fall craziness began (big lifestyle changes), I’ve been far more flexible in my routine than before, and that’s okay.
yay! good for you!!
It’s not easy letting go of a self-imposed fitness goal, but I definitely think you are on the right track now!
thanks so much!
Omg I can totally relate. I’ve been doing the RWRunStreak since Memorial Day and itz definitely caused me to sacrifice other workouts just so I can get in my “mile or more.” After my races next weekend, I’m ending the streak.
you’ve done an amazing job with it. but i’m glad you’re giving yourself a break 🙂 you deserve it!
I am SO glad you have figured things out for yourself. You don’t need that pressure because you are already doing SUCH an amazing job. Plus when you sacrifice the workouts you love working out is no longer fun. Keep it up girl.
thanks for the support, friend! couldn’t do it without you guys to motivate me!
I’ve been feeling the same way about my FitBit since I started TRX. In class, I push myself so hard & get a great workout, but it’s not going to help me get my 10,000 step in. I still wear it everyday, but only as a motivator at work to move more!
i want to try TRX!
I like to keep my workouts interesting by changing it up a bit every so often! 🙂
My workouts are constantly being reevaluated right now because of a growing belly. Right now, I’m at the point where if I can do something, I’ll do it. My hubby is very active, too, so I’m hoping once the baby is here we can get a game plan together and help each other out. Those 10,000 steps was running to me. I’m ok with my major reduction in miles now, but it was hard at first. But, my body IS changing (creating a human :P) so I think that takes priority at the moment!
I like your lose fitness plan – takes the pressure off and I’m sure you’re more inclined to get those things accomplished each week!!
And by ‘lose’ I mean ‘loose.’ There’s nothing lose about it! haha
love that you guys are both active! take care of that baby!
Finding balance is key, and while steps are important just being active and moving is just as important, and can really take place of some of those steps (in my opinion). I think re-evaluating from time to time is a great idea.
i agree. movement is what’s important!
my Fitbit has been a constant source of re-evaluation for me since I got it. First, it told me that I don’t move nearly as much as I thought I did. I’m a nanny: I do a whole lot of lifting of children, but not a lot of walking around. So I started running, and my steps increased dramatically on running days. Then the days I didn’t run I realized I needed something to keep me moving, so I started my regular yoga practice again. This mix is working well for me, since I can easily adjust my yoga practice to support my running. I love yoga, but if I feel like I’m stagnating, I’ll throw in a circuit training day to keep it interesting. I like keeping things fluid, and aiming for more steps.
I’m glad you found a workout routine that is keeping you interested! Life is not the same from day to day, it’s silly to expect a rigid routine to work all the time, even if we want it to 🙂
i definitely agree! i need to get into yoga!
I love your plans because you always try to set goals that work best for YOU. A lot of times we try and impress others or live up to standards that aren’t right for us. Balance is so important in all aspects of life:) thanks-I am going to try this workout plan:)
thank you!!! let me know how it works out for you! make changes as needed!
I am digging the workout you posted. What are scissor jumps? I think I might do this for my workout tonight!
Basically jumping lunges. Start with one foot forward and one foot back, then jump and switch legs, repeat without stopping
good for you!! i am a runner, through & through. have been for 15 years (eeekk!). reading blogs where circuit/tabata etc. workouts are featured used to be hard for me because then i would think i needed to do that to be in shape. but over the past couple years i have tried to incorporate some of those types of workouts in… and those exercises hurt my knees. but guess what? i can run marathons without hurting my knees. that’s why there are different types of workouts. it’s okay to have a preference as long as you’re active! thanks for the reminder. 🙂
you’re welcome! that’s what i love about workouts. there’s definitely something for everyone!
Good for you for reevaluating! I need a change, so I’m thinking about doing Tina’s bootcamp!
I did the last boot camp and loved the variety it provided! Plus everyone you meet through the Facebook page is fun.
agreed!
love bootcamp!!!
Isnt it funny how getting sick can sorta change everything! And usually for the best… I think it is our bodies telling us something needs to change.
i agree! our bodies are smart!!
I’ve heard a lot about Tabata workouts but I’ve never done one. This one sounds really good and I know all the moves so I want to try it. Maybe I’m thinking about it too hard but how exactly do you do it? 8 rounds of Tabata 1 and then 2, 3 and 4 or all 4 before repeating? Do you do 20 seconds of box jumps, rest 10 and then 20 seconds of lunges or do you do 20 seconds box jumps, 20 seconds lunges then 10 second rest?
you can really customize them to how you like them. what i do is 20 sec box jumps, rest 10 sec, 20 sec lunges, rest 10 sec, 20 sec box jumps, rest 10 sec…etc… and after 8 rounds i move onto the next set of two exercise. but you could do all 4 box jumps, then 4 lunges, or you could do one exercise all 8 times…it’s totally up to you. the most important thing is go hard for 20 sec, then rest 10, then repeat.
I fell victim to the pedometer when I was getting into shape for my wedding back in 2008. I even tried wearing it while I was on the stationary bike in an attempt to get the numbers up. Glad you are back doing what you love – 10,000 steps or not the important part is doing what you love to stay healthy and fit 🙂
exactly! thanks for the support!
I was just nodding along to everything I read….Yesterday my alarm went off at 5 for my usual workout but I slept an extra hour instead. ALL day I was cursing myself for not getting up to exercise, but then by the end of work I realized how much I needed that extra sleep–how much more awake I was, ready to teach, ready to listen, and missing that one workout was perfectly okay…I can just relate to this so much. I’m slowly learning that it’s okay to take the breaks I need to take and to then push when my body feels ready to push…the balance is definitely a serious work in progress for me!
me too, girl! but you’re doing a great job!! listening to your body is a great start!
The freedom to customize your fitness routine based on what works for YOU is invaluable 🙂
I on the other hand am in between gyms, while my new one is being built. I’m one of those folks – because of my kids – needs that committed, away from the house, full childcare moment to exercise or otherwise my mind is not into it. Hoping to get my routine back soon. Until then, it feels disjointed & non-committed 🙁
i definitely know what you mean. i hope they get the gym built double time!!
AHH! So proud of you! Realizing that it’s about enjoying the journey and loving what you’re doing to keep your fitness and health of importance to you is so wonderful and definitely what it’s about. Not the destination, but the journey. LOVE tabata btw 😉
thanks girl! and thanks for being such an inspiration!
I was just thinking about this today. I get super bored so in an ideal world I’d do a new workout every day. But that also traps me because I spend too much time thinking about the workout and not enough time doing it. So what I really do is look at it once a month.
that’s a good approach!
girl you are amazing just alone for setting that goal!
I have a lose schedule for my workouts, I am just happy when I actually can get a good one in 😉
thank you!!! and me too. any workout is a good workout in my opinion!
Sometimes I am overwhelmed just reading what others consider ” normal” for workouts! I have pushed myself to the point of illness before as well, and try not to be so hard on myself now that I don’t work out every single day. Congrats to you for choosing what you enjoy! Your body will thank you.
definitely don’t be so hard on yourself! everyone has their own definitely of normal and that’s ok
So glad that you found what works for you! Sometimes I hesitate to talk about my health/fitness goals too much on the blog because then I automatically put pressure on myself and it turns into a beast of its own! This post reminds me that I really do need to rework my exercise goals!
i definitely know what you mean! but it really is good to reevaluate every once and a while! go for it!