I want my routine back!

Wow, this last two weeks has been a big reminder to not take my routine for granted; especially with my fitness. I felt lost, like I was wandering around trying to figure out where to go and what to do. I realize part of the reason for that was the gym I was attending closed at the end of November, so I no longer had my scheduled classes to rely upon. Throw in the holidays and I didn't even know what day it was.

I tried to stay consistent. I scheduled a Highbanks hike, I printed out a 3 day trial pass to take a spin class at a new gym, I took yoga twice, and I even got together with friends to lift. But it wasn't the same consistency that I need to feel good. It's amazing. I could tell after just a few days that I didn't feel right. First I felt sluggish and tired, then I started feeling down and dark. Anxious.

I had to have a conversation with myself to remind myself what was going on. It sounded something like this in my head. I'm depressed today. No you're not, you've just ate a bunch of crap and didn't work out. This is how life feels when you do that. How did I ever live that way? I don't know. I need a nap. No you don't, get your ass up and do something. No I don't want to. I don't care what you want, remember? This is what happens when you eat too much food, too much sugar and too much salt. Not enough water. I need a nap. No you don't, drink your water. Go for a walk. Do something. I don't want to. Ugh!

Here's what I am really grateful for: I know this one! And I know the remedy. All it takes is three days to turn it around: three days of eating clean (no sugar, no salt/salty foods, no alcohol) and a few really good, tough workouts. So I did that! In fact, I burned 1,430 calories on Saturday morning doing an hour of spin and an hour of Circuit. Sweat like crazy. Then ate my veggie Bowl for lunch and drank a ton of water. Yes.

Here's what it's like inside my head when I'm eating right, exercising consistently, drinking my water and taking very good care of myself. Life is good. I know it. You did a great job today working out. Thank you, it was awesome. I can't wait to do that again. It feels so good to move. Good choice at lunch today. Thank you, love that veggie bowl. It makes me feel wide awake and alive. Great feeling. What should I do with all this energy and life? Whatever you want! The world is wide open and waiting. You're doing great. Keep going.

Exercise matters. What you eat matters. Drinking lots of water matters. Good sleep matters. If you don't believe me, check in with the conversation in your head next time you get away from taking care of yourself. There is a voice in there that will let you know when you're off track. So how can you get on track and stay on track? Here's how I've been thinking about it.

You know when you are hiking, every so often there is a trail marker that lets you know where the trail is. You make hike for awhile but sooner or later you come to this sign and it tells you that you are on the right path. Or another way to see it- you know how when you are driving on a long trip and every so often you get the sign along the roadside that says Destination 150 miles? It tells you that you are going the right way.

Those signs are your scheduled weekly workouts. They are your trail markers that keep you on the right path. You should expect to see them at regular intervals. Have you ever been hiking (or driving on the highway) and gone for too long without seeing one of those signs? Uh oh. Are we off the trail? Did we take a wrong turn? Do we need to go back? We're lost.

The way to get on track and stay on track is to schedule your workouts. Write them down. Get them on your calendar. Look at that calendar like it's a trail map to the very best you possible. Get going and make sure you see these markers at the intervals necessary to meet your goals. Get things scheduled, whether it is a walk with your spouse, a fitness class, your personal training session, or your 45 minutes on the elliptical. The very best version of each of us is right here, right now. Exercise is one of those things that helps bring it out in us. Commit to doing everything possible to live your best life right now. You are worth the time and effort. We all are.

Now get moving!