I’ve had something on my mind since I wrote my my work-out plan post this morning.
Flexibility.
I love creating schedules. They give me structure (which I need!), help me to see progress towards goals, and help to keep me on track.
For me personally, schedules are good for accountability.
I have a schedule for work, I know what needs to get done and when.
I have a scheduled date with Zach, I know not to make other plans.
Doctors appointment scheduled? Better get there!
I have a work out planned, I MUST FIT IT IN.
Did everyone catch that emphasis there?
While I am great at creating schedules and absolutely benefit from having them. . . sometimes my type A freakazoid personality keeps me from understanding that there can and should be flexibility in scheduling. This is very true with scheduled work outs.
I don’t have much guilt if I need to reschedule a doctors appointment or meeting at work. . . but If I’m being totally honest, I DO have guilt when I skip a work out.
Does that seem backwards to anyone else? I give myself anxiety over the possibility of skipping a work out? That does not seem very conducive to a healthy, happy or balanced life.
This point stuck with me all morning today. I was struggling because I hadn’t yet formally written out my work out plan for the week, but I was already making excuses for why I may have to move some work outs around, or god forbid miss a work out all together.
Let’s take a look at my schedule for the next three weeks:
- This weekend Zach and I are talking about taking a short trip to Rocky Mountain National and getting in some end of season serious hiking. If we do that, I may need to scale down the long run (and that’s OK).
- Next weekend we are in New York for Zach’s old roommates wedding Thursday-Sunday, so I am going to be trying to squeeze in a long run from far away. I’m hoping this just gives me a chance to explore a new place, but I also want to be open to wedding activities and recognize if I need to switch runs around (and that’s OK).
- And then of course, 2 weekends out is OUR WEDDING, so that entire week is all about flexibility, enjoying the moment, and enjoying our families. I already have some runs with friends planned, and I do have some time off so I can squeeze in a long run somehwere, just need to be open to moving work outs around (and dang it that’s OK).
Seriously, I have some AMAZING things coming up in my life, and I do NOT want to let a silly switched up or missed work out to affect that in any way.
Over these next 3 busy unique and amazing weeks, I am giving myself permission to be flexible.
I want to be sure that I fit in my work outs, but most importantly that I remember to enjoy them and be thankful that I am healthy and able to be active when I do fit them in. (I mean let’s be honest, I love a good Runner’s High to miss too many good work outs 😉
I cannot forget or undervalue that I am a happy and healthy person. I eat whole, natural, REAL foods for the majority of my diet. I work out consistently and find ways to squeeze in little bursts of exercise often in my daily life. I have amazing friends and family in my life who love me unconditionally. I live in an amazing city and have opportunities that I am thankful on a daily basis.
THESE things are important. And these things aren’t going to change over the next 3 weeks, if anything they will only improve.
No more exercise anxiety for this girl . . . and THAT”s ok :).
Question of the afternoon: Am I totally crazy with this? Can anyone else relate to this exercise guilt/anxiety?
YES! I get it all the time. I’m the same way with scheduling: I loooove making lists and schedules, it’s how I work. But I have slowly learned flexibility and, you’re right, sometimes it’s really necessary
I’m so glad I’m not totally alone in this! Flexibility is not something that comes naturally to me, but I’m working on it 😉
I’m not sure it’s guilt I feel, exactly, but not getting exercise makes me crazy. My anxiety and crabbiness get out of control if I go too long without exercise.
I’m also a bit of a crab if I don’t work out, which of course is a joy for everyone around. I think you’re totally on it, I just feel crazy or stir crazy if I haven’t gotten in some sweat! haha
I totally get exercise guilt (or lack of exercise guilt that is). If I don’t workout, all I think about is how lazy I was and how I don’t deserve to be relaxing. Rest days are still hard on me…I’m hoping that as my weekly mileage increases, my guilt will decrease!
Seriously we are the same person. We should just share blogs.
Hahahaha
I am all about having a schedule and planning my week(s) and sometimes I get so caught up in the “plans” that I forget to just “be”. Finding a way balance everything is so difficult sometimes and one of the things I am currently working on with myself. 🙂
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks so much for sharing. This post was a bit more personal for me, so I love that people have said they can relate!
I can definitely relate and thank you for sharing! 🙂