Years ago, when I was in a “sucky” place when it came to food and exericise, I thought that if I didn’t work out perfectly then it meant that I might as well not work out at all.
I had to do the right amount of sets/reps and weight scheme to achieve the perfect look. If I didn’t do the right cardio with the right intensity level on the right day, then it would be like I did nothing at all.
It was exhausting. I am tired just thinking about.
I had every day planned for like three weeks in a row. I had the exact cardio I was going to do down to when and where. I researched plans, weight lifting schemes, what cardio worked and what didn’t, and pre and post workout nutrition.
If I didn’t get my protein shake in under an hour I worked out, all that hard work would be worthless. Or so I thought. These days I just eat when I get hungry after I workout. (let’s be honest…that’s usually immediately).
My mindset is much different now.
I essentially do what I want in the gym.
Most of the time I have a general outline of what I’d like to accomplish. Today I knew that I wanted to work on my shoulders, triceps, and biceps with a little cardio added in.
However, if I woke up this morning and felt differently, then I’d listen to it.
It’s much more freeing.
I woke up this morning and hit up the gym as usual. I didn’t exactly know what exercises I’d include, but I knew what body parts I wanted to work. I usually just make my routines up as I go these days. It’s much more fun. I am not trying to gain any more muscle, but just have a goal to maintain what I have.
I knew it was going to be a good workout when I decided to listen to the 90′s Pandora Station and this song came on.
Today my routine looked a little something like this…
shoulder exercise
tricep exercise
bicep exercise
abs, plyometrics, or legs
Here’s the specifics.
Does this make sense?
Essentially, I did a set of shoulders/tri’s/bi’s and then I did a plank. Next, I did the 2nd set of shoulders/tri’s/bi’s and did a curtsy lunge.
I don’t like working legs heavy and I don’t enjoy dedicated a full day to legs, therefore, I just add them in after sets. The same goes for abs. The plyometrics (jump training) is great to add in when you want to keep your heart rate up and get a little cardio in.
After my time in the weight room, I headed over to the stepmill for a pyramid interval workout.
Today I wanted to get down and dirty so I could head home.
It looked something like this.
I did this for 10 minutes, sweat up a storm, and hopped off happy and ready to go home.
Working out doesn’t have to be rocket science. For me, it just has to be fun. I just try to move daily, life some weights, and do things that I enjoy. That might mean lifting, a Zumba class, or simply taking the dogs for a walk.
I’m not a trainer, but this works for me. This method of exercising is not only physically healthy, but this time it ensures that I have good mental health as well.
It all counts and it’s all great.
What workout have you done or plan to do today?
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Love this post, because that’s exactly what I’ve been doing lately. I’m the type of person who likes to have everything planned just so I don’t end up wasting time when I’m at the gym, but it’s been so nice to just go in with an outline. I lost a lot of muscle so I’m going to start weight lifting with a plan again soon, but this has been so relaxing!
gabriella @ embracement recently posted..The Nonplan Plan
I hopped on the arc trainer last night at like 10:30 so tonight I think I’m going to do a workout Dvd…I’m not very good at coming up with my own workouts so I try to find dvds that kick my butt. I did Bob Harper’s Inside Out Method Cardio Challenge on saturday and it killed me! It was an hour and 20 and I am still sore!
Grace recently posted..A little taste of Michigan Giveaway!
Hi Lisa,
Even though you’re not a trainer, you sound so knowledgeable! Do you have any tips for those of us who would like to do a little weight training, but have no idea where to start? If you need any tips on Zumba, though, I’m your girl.
Lisa recently posted..Foods that are not Sunny Seeds but are still Very Good 2
I’m the same way. Although, sometimes, I like having a plan…because these days, I feel like I’ve been a bit lazy with my workout. I just did 15 minutes on the stair stepper, 30 on the elliptical and 10 on the rower with a little abs. I was hoping to get in some arms but didn’t have time. May have to do that later!
I’m the same way! I see people in there with lists that they’re checking off and I just can’t imagine doing that. I work out what my body feels like doing in the gym. Gym schedules scare me! Plus, I’m way too a.d.d. for anything like that, haha!
christina recently posted..Destin Days 2 & 3
Great post Lisa! I like to do what ever fitness or active thing I feel like doing for the day. Currently I have to follow my cross country coach’s training plan (bleh) but even still I take a day off when I feel like it
I think in the end, that is when people STICK with exercise-because they enjoy it!
Allie recently posted..Photo shoot race results
I totally feel you. I think of the gym as my adult playground and let myself do what I enjoy! Luckily, I like breaking a sweat so I do challenge myself…on some days. I also have those days when light cardio is just what I need.
Amanda (Eating Up) recently posted..Post-Grad Life- Updating the Context of Eating Up
My broken ankle has prevented good cardio, but I think I’ll try some hot yoga (brace and all) this afternoon. I can’t wait to get back on the stepmill, it always kicks my butt!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat recently posted..Healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes
I love the stepmill. Perfect for building a juicy booty!
MelissaNibbles recently posted..Sonsie & Its OK!
I am still getting into the work out routine. Right now, I stick with the basics (IE: the machines). I am up to two sets of 15 reps each and am hoping to work my way up to three sets of 15 reps each. I do tricep, quads, hamstrings, biceps, and chest with all of the machines and am slowly starting to increase the weight. I am a weakling, so hopefully I will soon no longer be.
I didn’t get cardio in this morning. At least not in the gym. I wrestled with the dogs this morning as there was a stray kitten in our backyard and both dogs are cat aggressive (and I am allergic to cats); it was interesting. But I have deep water aerobics today at 12pm!
Leslie Knight recently posted..it doesnt happen overnight
Funny that you posted about this today because I was just telling my dad over the weekend that running doesn’t feel like exercise to me anymore. I do it because I want to, because it feels good, and because I enjoy it. I actually miss it when I don’t get a run in! Today, I’m thinking 4 or 5 miles sounds about right. I’ll just hit the trail and see how I feel. Best feeling ever!
Great post…and that looks like an awesome workout! I love just doing what I want. The time always goes faster and I feel like I get more out of my workout than when i feel like i have to do a certain thing.
Trisha recently posted..More Bang For Your Buck
It works for you and that’s what’s important!! I can see myself training like this in the future when I’m not focused on competing.
Sable recently posted..More FAQs and another progress pic!
We have similar approaches to working out…and I don’t like going heavy on the legs either
No workout for me today…I take Mondays and Wednesdays off =)
Even in prep my workouts change pretty much weekly. While I have a “schedule” of what to train and when, I do prefer to swithc up reps/exercsies frequently. I get bored otherwise and hey, if it works, it works!
Becca recently posted..Bake Sale for Boobies!
Definitely sounds like a killer workout! And I’m like you now – hate working legs. I do just enough to keep them strong, but nothing heavy. I prefer to use their power for running anyways.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun recently posted..Self-Love Reflection- Overcoming Binging
Love this! I am the same way. This morning I had planned on going to a Body Pump class, but when I got there I just wasn’t feeling it. I hopped on the treadmill instead and got in a great run. The important thing was that I showed up and moved my body! Your work out sounds great, I might have to try that sometime!
Laura @ Meet Virginia recently posted..World’s Greatest Teacher
I’ve been running only for the past few months — with some strength training thrown in here and there, but nothing consistent. Once this marathon is over (June 18th!) — then I can’t wait to get back into more strength training and FUN workouts!
Holly @ The Runny Egg recently posted..Friday Date Night
“Working out doesn’t have to be rocket science.” So true! I used to think that running was the only effective form of exercise…what was I thinking?! Now when I think of “working out,” I think of walking, running, zumba, strength trainings, elliptical…all of it!
Parita @ myinnershakti recently posted..Boston for the Day
I know exactly what you mean when you say that if you didn’t work out perfectly, then it didn’t count. I used to be like that too and I’ve gotten away from that now, thank goodness (thanks to reading many blogs like yours!) I also used to freak out a little bit if I didn’t get in a protein filled snack or meal within 30 minutes of my workout–in my mind if I didn’t eat that protein than what I did in the weight room was useless. It was the same thing with the “you must eat every 3 hours” rule. Well, I’ve since found out that eating 6x a day is not for me–it only makes me hungrier and more obsessive about food. 3 meals and maybe a snack or two if I need it is what works best for me personally.
Now that I’ve gotten away from those ideas, not only do I weigh less, but I look better and am much happier. I no longer binge the way I used to. It’s so nice.
I just try to listen to my body! That is so much more important than following eating rules.
Holly (Faith, Food, Fitness) recently posted..Sunday Best
That’s definitely how I like to roll (except I just have a really hard time doing weights outside of a class atmosphere) – a loose guideline that can change based on my mood.
Sounds like a great workout!
I’m happy you have found something that works for you! Thanks for the “bee girl” throwback, by the way. Love that one!
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers recently posted..Blog Birthday & June Workout
I looove this revelation. I completely agree, too, Lisa.. I used to feel like if I didn’t do something specific it was as if I didn’t do anything at all for that day. It feels SO good to “DO WHAT I WANT!” and feel good about it.
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss recently posted..When Things Just Work Out Perfectly
Good for you! I used to be the same way, and it just wasn’t fun. I’ll have a bit of a plan in my head, but if it’s not what I’m feeling, I change it… immediately. Life’s too short to do workouts that I dread!
Jess (In My Healthy Opinion) recently posted..A to Z
I plan on doing NOTHING. I worked out every day last week w/o meaning to. So this girl is gonna rest her behind today.
I love No Rain. That song and video . . . brings me back to high school.
Lower body with my buddies, plus a little jump rope.
Denise recently posted..Video to DVD Transfer
mental health, enjoyment and fun! thats what working out should be about! i really didnt like so close to my show when I felt like exercise was a chore…I love having a little freedom here and there
that full body workout looks awesome, Lisa!
Hey! I was wanting some workout inspiration–I like your methods and was wanting some new workouts! Do you have any you could eamil me??
Great post, Lisa! I always love your insight into your past and how much you’ve changed to a healthier, happier way of life. I put running on the back burner and have been doing a lot of yoga a riding my bike with the occasional CrossFit or boot camp type class. This morning was yoga, and a bike ride after work with Billy. : )
It is so hard to imagine how I used to be — I was the same way, but now I just LOVE to exercise! It’s no longer about calroies, which is what I love.
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn recently posted..Do you like my dress Senior Ball Pictures!
That’s fantastic. You seem to have a great joy for it!
doing the same routine over and over is only going to lead to a plateau and not getting results. You said the magic word..”fun”. If you are enjoying what you are doing then keep doing it. Too many times people do routines that they hate which end up not doing it at all eventually.
mike recently posted..Maximize Fat Burning With These Exercise Tips
Thank you for sharing that song. It just makes me smile!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) recently posted..Brewing! Davids Debut IPA – Part 1
I think it’s important to have fun with workout routines, or else you just won’t do them. Loved this post!
Nicole recently posted..What I Learned
I actually just started working out. I’m not a big gym person and it’s hard for me to stay motivated. I just started working out with the Wii Fit. I’ve been doing pretty well so far. I’m really trying hard to stay motivated. I really like how I feel after I excerise. I can’t believe that I didn’t exercise for so long. I think it’s really important.
Hope recently posted..Frozen Hot Chocolate & A Massive Supply of Brussels Sprouts…
Love this, Lisa! I used to slave away in the gym because I believed it was the only way to get the results I wanted. Sure, my body looked good, but I wasn’t getting “results” in other facets of my life. I was miserable. And tired. It took me years to realize that a fit body means NOTHING if the rest of your life isn’t in shape. Now I do what I want in the gym too…And I’m healthy, but more importantly, I’m HAPPY.
I hope you are having a good time in nursing school! It’s been quiet at work all alone!! I’ve been working out in the mornings – it really gives me a boost of energy throughout the day… I guess you were on to something… Talk to you soon!
Malory recently posted..Garage Sale Guide – Edmond- OK
My goal is to get a run in but it is 99 degrees in Chicago and I am not about to get on the dreadmill. I am thinking it will turn into a nice walk with maybe some fro-yo at the end of it
Allison @ PickyEatingRD recently posted..I’ve Moved!