....your gym clothes do not fit. Not because of the good kind of gains but because of not going to the gym as often, eating like garbage and making little to no effort to maintain my fitness lifestyle.
I'm going to be really really honest in this blog. It's also, probably, the hardest deepest fitness blog that I've written.
If you know me personally you've heard me talk about this; complain, etc.
I've really been struggling the last few month, really most of the year with staying motivated to go to the gym, eat right, sleep well. It's been so difficult, so hard.
On a normal week I'm in the gym three to five days, depending on the work week schedule.So to say I have been a gym rat is sort of true. I love going to the gym. It's the time of the day I can de-stress from work or even motivate myself on my days off. It's a time for me to work on myself and make myself into a better version of myself. On a normal week I'm spending between 8-15 hours in the gym; of course that solely depends on how much time I've given myself and what time I work.
While that doesn't seem like that much time it really adds up; plus I get a lot done when I'm there.
Not much down time when I'm moving from my cardio to weight training and staying occupied doing one thing or another.
I've really missed my time in the gym when it's just me and just for me. I love to pop in my headphones, turn on whatever seasonal playlist I've created. Nothing like listening to my playlist while sweating it out on the treadmill or elliptical. There's something peaceful about going to the gym. Does that sound crazy to anyone else but me? It's a happy place for myself and so many others.
I also dedicated a lot of time the early part of the year studying for my certification as a personal trainer. I failed the test the first time and I had to lay it to the side for the rest of the year due to work (more on that later). I will be picking that back up and continue to work toward that in the coming months and next year as well.
Back to the reason for this post.
Life has thrown me so many curve balls; each with a strange set of circumstances. Whether it be being sick/under the weather, car troubles or even work related.
The beginning of the year I was unable to go as often because of vehicle issues causing me to skip many days. My car decided it needed a new battery and alternator. Life happens.
Beginning in August I began traveling five days a week to a different store to train for a new position at my current store. For those that do not know I work for Starbucks full time. At the beginning of the year I was working roughly 35-38 hours a week as a shift supervisor. In this new position I started working at least 40 hours a week as the new assistant store manager. Most people I know work 40 plus hours a week and still make time for the gym. It's not unheard of. With the 40 hour work week I'm also traveling 45-60 minutes one way to get to this other store. So that adds anywhere between 1.5 and 2 hours a day to my work day causing those 8 hour work days to become 10 and 11 hour work days. I never realized travel/work/travel could be so draining. I don't know how people do this all the time.
Having said all that I've come to find my down time limited. Even when I do have a few hours a day to work out or do some type of physical I'm being called or texted about work related things. I have other weekly involvement, church, small group, etc.
It all sounds like excuses; some things are but life has priorities that are more important than others. If you're prioritizing too many things then nothing is a priority.
When did being too tired become an excuse? Why should I use this as a reason to not workout; even if for 30 minutes.
But the gym is too crowded when you're ready to go.... and? Just because the parking lot is full doesn't necessarily mean that the gym is "too crowded" Sure I don't like to go when there are a lot of people in the gym because you have plenty of time to go, there ARE down times when the gym isn't as busy that you could go....
I just don't feel like going.... I've said that so many times. There have been plenty of times I planned on going after work/traveling back from work that I had my gym bag in my car, airpods charged and ready to go do some cardio and lift, but I get to the gym or I drive by and it's "nah I'll go later...." then I don't go.
About three weeks ago I was involved in a wreck that:, once again, rendered my ability to go to the gym. I didn't have a car, I had some injuries from the wreck that made it impossible to go. Honestly, I feel like that is a valid reason to not go. I don't want to re-injure or cause further issues because I'm stubborn.
The last 4 weeks I've been trying to push myself to get re- motivated to go to the gym, eat healthy, and get it back on track. It's been a long road.
Because of these "excuses" that I've made the last few months I've gained about twelve pounds and have gotten weak. I can't lift as much as I had been able to. I've had to go up a size in shirts and some of my clothes are feeling a little tight....including my gym clothes that were kinda loose at the beginning of the year.
I'm having to restart. Honestly it's kind of nice to get a fresh start. Why should I be ashamed to restart.
Today is only the third time I've been to the gym in 3 weeks. It felt good, it hurt, it'll be a test of time to see how it affects the healing process from the wreck. I didn't expect it to hold me back as much as had; it happens. I had to remind myself to not over do anything because any small set back in recovery could possibly have life time affects. Sure a sore/sprain wrist can heal but why would I want to permanently injure myself....not smart, not at all. So a car wreck is a legitimate reason to take it easy in the gym or even not go.
The rest of this year has been a constant barrage of excuses, valid or not.
So really the goals I have for myself
1. Finish the rest of 2019 strong - clean up my eating habits, make a fitness plan for days in the gym and days when I can workout at home
2. STOP making excuses - make a plan, stick with it
3. Realign my fitness goals to be attainable and timely
4. Use my social media to inspire myself as much as I hope that I inspire others through my social media channels
5. Do research, read, watch and learn from others.
These 5 GOALS sound easy but how easy are they to put into practice? Guess we will find out.
2019 has
10.5 weeks
73 days
1752 hours
105, 120 minutes
How much of this time is wasted/not used?
How much of this time will be used to become a better version of myself?
Can I make a plan and stick to it?
Time will tell, and so will my waste line. I will be keeping everything up to date on all social media platforms to hold myself accountable to you, my followers and readers and to myself.
I can't be a LIFE IN TRANSFORMATION if I'm not actually making an effort to become what I decided to create, LIFE IN TRANSFORMATION isn't just a saying, it is a lifestyle, it's a mission statement, it's a purpose.
Who's ready to see where this new motivation I've found takes me?! Anyone need/want to join?!
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