My Updated Workout Practice

I have intensely disliked going to the gym for decades! And in late November 2022, I joined the gym next door to my condo, which led to an unexpected journey!

This blog is about how I have changed my fears of working so hard and experiencing disappointment, pain, and, worst of all, no results. And how I'm updating and upgrading my mindset!

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed" Can you hear the song from Coldplay? Well, that has been the story I've convinced myself for years. "Patty, you've tried everything with no results." Have I thought? Everything?? I decided to stop myself and consider what I have done in the past. And although I have spent thousands of dollars in the self-improvement world, I asked myself a better question:

What has been the Game Changer in pattern/habit transformation?

The first response was massive action, getting off my butt NOW, not later or tomorrow, or worse, on Monday or the first of the month. And then I realized that the action was a response to someone's question/message/song. It was either from a person in a podcast interview, a TedTalk, a Youtube video, an ad, etc.

Ah!! It's HUMAN interaction!

By asking myself better questions, I have opened my heart and mind to upgrade my workout. Workout in the past was yoga, steel mace flow with a couple of YouTube videos to guide me, and a hike here and there. The common denominator - is inconsistency.

So by getting to the human connection answer, I called the gym next door and scheduled a visit. I wanted to be with others, so I joined on a month-by-month, no contract. And then, I decided to go for their "free" assessment, which has been the first domino to my updated workout practice.

Update # 1 - Investing in a Personal Coach

My first decision was to listen to what the gym trainer and manager had to say, even though I had over a decade of negativity on most mainstream gym's philosophies on diet and training. Even though I was a Nutritional Therapy Consultant, it was time to be a student, a beginner, and a white belt.

The assessment offered different plans for a personal trainer, and I knew it was time to dance, fly, to grow with guidance. There is power in working with someone with the body, talent, and skills you desire, and I love human connection and mentorship. So I closed my eyes and asked myself one more question.

Who can understand me and guide me in this field?

I wanted to work with someone outside the gym. So, Jimmy, my husband, reminded me of Caron! A friend we know from a coaching community we belong to. Opening myself to re-learn and re-commit has been so refreshing! A new start from the beginning of "last year." I committed to investing in my new journey, and I ended my 2022 year

Losing 15 pounds!

My efforts came from a significant momentum of massive imperfect actions, vulnerability, and grace. This past month has been about picking up and stacking conditions in my favor.

Update # 2 - Walking a Marathon vs. Race

During the gym assessment, the manager called me "speedy." I wanted to get over the exercise as fast as possible to avoid pain and get it over with it. Part of my fear of attending gyms has been the pain I felt for days after a single workout. Again, this affirms that paying someone who knows what they're doing is a wise investment.

We're talking about 2-3 days of intense muscle pain.

Caron, my current coach, began her meeting by letting me know that I would be working out for at least 45 minutes. And if you've been following my blog, you know I'm the 15-minute Queen! However, I needed to allocate time for my warm-ups and cool-downs, which have been game changers.

This bookend approach helps my body and mind.

As any great teacher would tell you, having a hot open and wrap-up session for your lessons is where you paint the picture and recap what they have learned from their own words. My body has been appreciating zero pain after my workouts which embraces the long-term journey. It's steady, it's forward movement, and it's a practice.

Update # 3 - Having Consistent Theme Days

I have dedicated my workout days to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday because it also creates bookends and a mid-anchor to my week. I feel solid and complete because they serve me as benchmarks. Last year I decided to work Mon-Fri as an entrepreneur to enjoy my weekend.

My lifestyle is essential to my self-care (responsibility)

These theme days are a great way to align with my bigger purpose, a Life to the Full. Tuesday and Thursday are my rest days with anything that comes to mind, usually stretches or walking. I'm looking forward to returning to my steel mace flow and saunas because they help my body and mind relax.

Resting is rebuilding my body after breaking it down

And lastly, the weekends serve as my long hiking days with Jimmy, my mom, or friends. I love to explore new parks and trails with my family because it keeps curiosity and adventure at heart. And on days that we get terrible weather, I have been setting my mind to BE still. Which brings me excited to read, journal, or listen to music.

The overall discovery for me has been the excitement I get from taking care of my body, which at the end of the day, takes care of my mental and spiritual health. I'm looking forward to sculpting my body as the anchor and motivator to my overall health one day at a time.

Repetition is the mother of learning.

And the keyword for this blog and all my self-care and self-responsibility blogs is PRACTICE.

As always, leave your thoughts in the comments below and let me know about your workout practice.

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Love,

Me.