Finding the right fitness routine for me

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For a while now, I have grappled with finding the right fitness routine for my lifestyle, mindset, and enjoyment.

This year, the journey to loving my body has included coming to the revelation that I do not have to beat myself down to achieve a pleasing physique.

In May, I shared my outlook on body image, and my quest to love the skin I’m in. Moving forward, the goal is to find a form of exercise that motivates me to make movement a priority every single day.

A Little Backstory

Old habits die hard, so I began with a gym routine focused on High-Intensity Interval Training.

Why? Because, in theory, I could do short workouts with a high payoff.

HIIT workouts burn lots of calories, even after the workout is over, and help to keep my midsection trim. However, it is an intense form of exercise that I do not enjoy. So, I failed my 30 day HIIT challenge. Go figure.

Then, I tried weight lifting.

Weight training meant a four-day split with running thrown in come the weekend. Though I enjoy the challenge of weight lifting, it is not a form of exercise I ever stick to because lifting heavy without a spotter isn’t ideal.

So, no 30-day weight lifting challenge before and after pictures appeared anywhere.

After a second failure, I had to take some time and dig through my past fitness journal and photos to reflect on how I handled fitness in my heyday.

When I was consistently practicing yoga, I most enjoyed Ashtanga and found myself excited to attend class. At that time, I also ran with Black Girls Run! on a regular basis.

The physical challenge of distance running, alongside the meditative flow of yoga, resulted in my being in the best shape of my life. But the physique was a side effect of fitness I enjoy.

So, I decided to embark on a 30-day Ashtanga challenge alongside training for a race.

The Solution

In June, I woke up every morning and did a 20-minute Ashtanga practice.

Eventually, I transformed that practice into 45 minutes 3 days a week, but most importantly, I found consistency.

Huzzah!

However, me being the overachiever I am, I wanted to find some movement five or six days a week: re-enter running.

I am a runner, have been for YEARS. However, in the last couple of years, my running has been sporadic.

In February, I ran the New Orleans Rock n Roll series half marathon, and haven’t trained since. Mainly because I exercise first thing in the morning, and running outside in the dark at 5am is not safe.

So, I asked myself: Self, are you willing to change your fitness habits and exercise in the evening? Answer: I will give it a try.

So, July 23rd I began the Hal Hidgon 5k Intermediate training program and signed up for a race to celebrate finishing the program.

This time, not only did I complete 30 days, I am six weeks into the program and back into long-run shape.

I forgot how much running relieves stress. I am usually stressed but, running helps me shake the anxiety surrounding my busy lifestyle and promotes better sleep.

Between Ashtanga and running, I have my fitness routine back!

Currently, I exercise in the evening, alternating between yoga and running with a complete rest day once a week.

The best side effect of this routine is that I am no longer chasing a particular physique. Instead, I look forward to advancing in yoga poses and running at a faster pace.

My motivation is no losing inches or weight.

Instead, the enjoyment and challenge of my fitness routine is a release that provides my body and mind just what it needs.

Now, I possess both the desire and willingness to exercise.