How many of you can keep your exercise schedule perfectly?
When I was in my 20′s and 30′s in Hawaii and Florida doing a lot of running, bicycling, biathlon and triathlon races I always had a set schedule. I stuck to that schedule as best I could – but I would fail sometimes. Nobody can maintain the exercise schedule exactly as it is because there are variables that creep up.
Injuries for one. Other people’s schedules that require adjusting yours, is the other biggie. If you live in relationship with anyone – or have kids – there are things that take precedence. Junior going to the hospital might be one. Junior’s gymnastics competition might be another.
Injuries are impossible to predict and destroy a schedule quick.
I don’t have a schedule anymore. Yes, I want to get back to the point where I can bike 80 miles and feel good the next day, but I’m getting there without a schedule because a schedule means I lose sometimes. I don’t want to lose. I want to keep progressing.
People that don’t adhere to their schedule – or worse – someone else’s schedule, feel like they were losers.
Just stop scheduling. That’s it – don’t ever write down a schedule in advance, more than what you’re going to do today. There is no way for you to know what’s going to happen in the future that could affect that schedule and cause you some grief.
I wake up everyday and assess my health… the strength in my muscles. The tightness that might mean a pulled muscle coming on. A fast heart rate that might signal I’m not rested enough from the previous day’s effort – or a flu bug that didn’t kick into high gear yet, but will arrive the next day.
Today? I feel OK – my feet are a little sore, but they always are. I think I have fallen arches but I’m afraid to go check it out – who cares? I can run, bike, and climb mountains – so, the term “fallen arches” doesn’t have any positive effect by labeling it – so I’ll just live with the pain.
My legs feel good. A little bit of soreness in the quads from the climb yesterday. I think I can work through it.
I’ll bike today. Question is just – how far. 10m? 20m? 30m? Thirty miles is my usual ride lately and it’s a nice ride through the Thailand countryside. There are few cars – but, it’s summer here and no rain so quite hot and humid. It’s my favorite ride because it’s the longest. In my mind I’m doing a lot of good during that ride.
I’ll go 20m today I think. That will give me enough of a workout that I’ll be happy inside, and not that difficult a workout that I can’t do 30m tomorrow if all systems are “go”.
Plan your exercise loosely. Tell yourself – you want to exercise 4 times per week or 8 times per week… Don’t plan what you will do, how hard you will push, or for how long you will exercise. It leads to disappointment and often – failure. Have an alternative exercise that is lower stress you can do in case the body isn’t ready to run or cycle or whatever you usually do. Have a walk up a hill instead. Have a walk around town. Have a swim.
Take each day as it comes. Assess – energy level, soreness, stiffness… and make a plan for that day. If all systems are “go” then bang it out – do the max. Always do the max on days when you feel great. It’s the perfect opportunity.
I’m always really psyched when I feel 10/10… everything feels great. I know I can push it that day and do all I can – and that I’m going to benefit more from that day’s effort than any other day. I love when I know all parts of the body are ready to go!
As you get older you’ll understand!
Exercise should be fun!
If it’s fun you’re going to do it often and without thinking about it. If it’s fun – it naturally becomes a part of your routine. When it becomes part of your routine – that’s it! You just took care of that part of your life – you’re going to stick with it.
Make it forever, there’s little else in the world worth doing forever – but, exercise is one of those things.
Best of Life!
Vern
There is a place somewhere between paradise and heaven… it’s called, “Hawaii!”
Related posts:
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise. A Series…
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise: Delay of Gratification
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise: Shaming Yourself.
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise: Positive Self Talk
- Pushing Yourself During Exercise!
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise: Competition.
- PUSHING Yourself During Exercise: Coaching Yourself.
