Monday – Circuit training (legs & cardio)
Tuesday – 45 min walk
Wednesday – Circuit training (arms & abs)
Thursday – Off
Friday – Circuit training (full body)
Saturday – Orange Theory Fitness class
Sunday – Beach volleyball
I took it one day at a time last week and ended up stringing together a pretty balanced week of physical activity, which is ultimately the goal. I learned, however, that this only works if you’re completely honest with yourself. If you choose to listen, your body is a pretty clear communicator.
After my ‘face the music’ epiphany on Tuesday (see previous post), I naturally had a resurgence of energy which lasted the whole of one lousy day. I vigorously completed my circuit training on Wednesday morning, but by Thursday I was ready for a break. And breaks are important. I probably didn’t need a break on Tuesday evening when I originally didn’t want to go on that walk; it was only Tuesday, after all. But by Thursday, I had 3 active days in the books and I just needed to relax. I made the commitment to myself to show up for circuit training Friday morning (and by show up I mean roll out of bed and do it in my apartment – whatever gets it done!). Thursday break; fire it back up Friday – seemed like a good plan, and it was! The tricky part came on Friday night when my sister-in-law asked me to go on a walk Saturday morning and I thought, “YES, that sounds way better than going to the 9am Orange Theory class I’m signed up for.”
It’s truly in the split-second decisions we make that the most crucial growth happens, I believe. I had plenty of time to cancel my 9am Orange Theory class and certainly wanted to (Orange Theory kicks my bum). I went back and forth in my head, trying to convince myself that I didn’t need to go to Orange Theory, I could just go on a walk. I’d already worked out hard 3 days that week plus I went on a walk, and I knew I was also playing volleyball on Sunday. It’s funny how intense the inner monologue is when you’re trying to convince yourself of something that you know you shouldn’t do.
In a split second, I decided that ultimately there would be times when I legitimately needed to cancel but this wasn’t one of them. So, I declined the offer to go on a walk and I somehow managed to show up at Orange Theory the next morning. I felt GREAT afterwards.
My dad has always said “don’t think just do it” when it comes to exercise (peculiar advice out of context) – he’s a man of routine and I admire him very much for his discipline. Perhaps instead of carrying on that inner monologue next time I want to bail on a workout I know I shouldn’t, I’ll just not think at all and JUST DO IT! I’m beginning to see what Nike saw in that slogan…
Sidenote, here’s what I love about Orange Theory, for those of you who haven’t tried it.
It pushes me outside of my comfort zone – via treadmills. I hate treadmills; never been an enthusiastic runner. Perhaps if we dove into my psyche we’d find that as an athlete, running was always associated with punishment (the dreaded statement, “Get on the line!”) and that’s where my aversion to running stems from. Regardless, Orange Theory provides the structure I need to allow my brain the comfort of knowing it will end and this isn’t forever (yes, running forever is what nightmares are made of). The coaches at Orange Theory lead you through very structured, timed intervals for which there is a guide plastered in front of you telling you at what speed and incline you should be at (base pace, push pace and all out pace). I wouldn’t say I look forward to this portion of the class, but treadmills and I are coming around in our relationship; I like the feeling of accomplishing something I wouldn’t normally attempt.
It has taught me a new skill – via the rower. At LMU the Volleyball team had 6am workouts. We’d feel sorry for ourselves until we showed up and saw the Rowing team already mid-workout on the rowers outside the weight room. I was always wowed by that, and now I’m wowed by the exercise they were doing. Rowing is no joke.
It incorporates exercises I’m familiar with and enjoy(ish) from my time as an athlete – via floor exercises/weights. It’s always nice, after having stepped outside your comfort zone on treadmill and suffered through rowing, to shine just a little bit when the coach sees your impeccable technique with weights. Thanks, LMU Strength and Conditioning!
All in all, the class is fast paced but you ultimately control your own level of intensity. You leave exhausted but energized. Not quite pumped about the next workout, but feeling accomplished and proud of yourself enough to get you there the next time. I think that’s a win, as far as I’m concerned.
Onward!