Frustrated by [Lack of] Fitness

6.27.2016

*Yes, I am still rocking the giant, old-school Garmin. If it ain't broke, don't spend money you don't have on a new one.

Can I get real with you guys today?  

I have been extremely frustrated by my lack of fitness lately. I genuinely enjoy running, and over the past few months I’ve gotten into more at-home workout videos and even some yoga. I love getting my heart pumping and working my muscles, but I just don’t think I’m ever going to be one of those people who exercises on a consistent basis. 

This year I have really kept trying and trying to start a fitness routine, and it’s been a giant fail. I know, I have a baby and I need to give myself a break, but I don’t want to use that as a crutch. I'm not talking about losing weight here. Personally, I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, but I just feel better about myself, my eating habits, and my body when I’m exercising, and I want to set a good example for my children too.

I’ve noticed that I will do really well for a week and then something will derail me. Either I’m not at home for the weekend or R is sick or I’m sick or it’s ten thousand million degrees outside and I feel like I’m sitting on the surface of the sun if I even open my front door.

The struggle is real.

I don’t really have a point to this post other than to admit to you that I’m frustrated. Working out is something I enjoy, but it’s not always something I want to do, if that even makes sense. But I will keep pushing, and I will try not to let myself get discouraged when I miss a day or two or ten. I will celebrate the little things like getting out for a three-mile run instead of feeling lame that I “only” ran three miles instead of six. We can be really mean to ourselves, can’t we?

 So here’s to trying to get back into a groove, whatever that looks like. Join me, won’t you?

What is your exercise of choice? Do you struggle to stay motivated to work out?

Related: How to Start Running Part 1 / 4 Tips for Fitting a Workout in a Busy Schedule
Rebecca Jo said...

I always say I dont know how mom's do it all. It's tough enough for me, someone with really no responsibilities except myself, to make myself workout - I can't imagine doing all the 'mom things' & still keeping exercising a priority.
Just take care of you the best you can - whether that be working out every day or twice a month.
& SHOUT OUT - I still have that watch & use it - still is one of my favorites :)

StephTheBookworm said...

I understand exactly. Before Caleb was born, I lost a ton of weight, ran a half marathon, and was very fit. I've had a hard time getting back into it since he was born. I'll do good for a bit then get derailed. Trying to really find a routine that works for me but it's tough!

Nadine said...

I have been pretty consistent with working out regularly. I wake up at 430am before work to fit in my work outs, but they are always changing. I quit running because I hated it. Not I walk/lightly jog on the treadmill 2-3 days per week and the rest of the time I am doing a combination of weights, workout videos, at home barre, etc. Sometimes I dont push myself 100%, but I feel like at least I am still keeping up with them. It is hard to get back in to a groove with working out and eating right, that is for sure!!! my healthy eating has been way off lately! Way. Off. Just do what you can and dont feel guilty about it!

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

I've been really good with my 2x per week strength workouts lately but my cardio is lacking and I miss it. It takes more time and I'm struggling to schedule it!!!

Unknown said...

Some of my friends and I are doing a Bachelorette workout tonight while we watch. Talk about multitasking!

But don't worry, I don't even have a baby and I still miss a day or two or ten quite often.

The Lady Okie said...

You are not alone! I'm right there with you.

The Lady Okie said...

That's great! I have loved my at-home videos I've done and love feeling myself get stronger. Cardio does take so much more time! I wish I could get a really good workout in but not sweat so I didn't have to shower. ;)

The Lady Okie said...

Ha! You would ;) You were looking good this weekend in that blue dress, lady! (Did that come out sounding way creepsterish than I meant it? Probably)

The Lady Okie said...

Yes, Garmin watch for the win!

The Lady Okie said...

That's great! Good job! I need to start getting up early. I used to be really good about it and I've fallen off the wagon. But 4:30?! Way to you! I'm giving you a virtual high five.

Laura Morgan said...

Mmmm hmmm. It's been years since I consistently worked out, and even then, "consistently" meant that if I was enrolled in a sport, I did the things the coach made me do until the semester was over.
But, sweet baby kisses, it is hard to make it happen. And just when I was getting into a groove, the YMCA went and changed the schedule, and now I'm supposed to do "Sweet Home Alabama" grapevines instead of lunges to the Piano Guys in a sweet Barre class. Anyway. The kids think it's hilarious when we "work out" together. There are some mommy-and-me videos I do some things from, but the biggest crowd pleaser is headstands. And they both like to play with my "weighters" or "musclers" (2-pound weights). Part of the reason I enrolled Ava in ballet was to be part of our whole health conversation, and it's cool because we'll do her warmups sometimes, and I'm actually really impressed with her strength and improvement.
I'm rambling and don't know if this is even helpful or interesting, but I'm terrible at conversation these days. :D

Laura Morgan said...

No, I totally noticed your arms, Liz. Looking good, girl!
I miss Bacheloretting with ya'll.

Unknown said...

I totally understand. I have been feeling the same way too, ugh. We start out with a great routine and then things get crazy and we get out of routine. It's tough, but we can do it. :)

Tisas Creations said...

I stay on track by signing up for a race or setting a date for a 'fake' race. That way I keep to my training. By the way, your pace is amazing. And one more thing, you're a new mommy, don't be so hard on yourself. You are already back at you prebaby weight, most people never go back - be proud of yourself.

Melissa said...

I can 100% relate to this. I was an avid gym goer or runner before pregnancy but then I was not able to do hardly anything while pregnant (for no apparent reason until the end) and then was on bed rest. So resuming fitness post baby was a scary place to go for me! I think it's hard to be consistent in all things in life though, not just fitness. We can't be perfect in so many areas - working out all the time, eating healthy a majority of the time, carving out time for our kids, and ourselves. On and on. There are SO many demands. It's only natural that things get out of whack.

I've had a TON of life changes over the past year-ish (baby, two moves, on being overseas, husband got a new job, etc). In that time, I've had my good days and weeks with fitness and eating and I've had awful ones. I've come to accept that it just ebbs and flows. I know that's probably not the answer you're looking for, but I hope it's encouraging!

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

"Working out is something I enjoy, but it’s not always something I want to do, if that even makes sense." <--- Yes this!! Makes COMPLETE sense. I think every athlete/worker outer or whatever you want to call people like you or me hits this stage! You will be back before no time. Grace friend ;)

The Lady Okie said...

That is encouraging! Thanks :) There are definitely good days and bad days. I guess I wish it weren't such an effort all the time and that it came easier to me, since it is legitimately something I enjoy! My biggest problem, honestly, is the showering and stretching and all the hoopla after I exercise. If I could guarantee that I could get a good workout in without sweating at all or needing a shower, I would be golden. ha!

The Lady Okie said...

Yes! I need to be signed up for something too in order to better motivate me. And thank you for the encouragement! I am definitely not wanting to be hard on myself, but at the same time I don't want to always use my baby as an excuse.

Audrey Louise said...

I totally understand where you're coming from. I enjoy (hot) yoga, but I don't always want to do it. I'm a bad bad bad exerciser. I hate doing it and I put it off whenever I can. We joined a gym and the financial guilt forces me to go (sometimes) but I certainly don't enjoy it. At least you've got that going for you! Don't stress- you'll figure it out and get in a groove :)

Andrea H. said...

You are right. We can be SO hard on ourselves. I find myself saying the same thing about 3 miles. In reality, those 3 miles are TONS better than just doing nothing. Definitely something I have to work on as well!

Unknown said...

It's so true that we can be ridiculously hard on ourselves. I look at three miles and think, "YOU RAN THREE MILES?!?!" because it sounds amazing!! I had to fill out a form at the doctor's the other day asking if I work out regularly, and I was embarrassed to admit I don't. But it's what it is - it's hard getting to the gym having a little one - although you work full-time, too, so I have less of an excuse!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

GIIIIIRRRLLLL. Me. Me me me. I'm the same way-I'll be good for like 5 days, and then someone gets sick, or a vacation happens, or something derails me and it just feels so hard to start again.

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

well obviously i have no clue what it is like to have a baby, so take everything i say with a grain of salt lol. other than that, though, we are the same. i never 'want' to workout. i know logically i want to, like i feel better when i do (physically, mentally, all the things) plus i sleep better which is super important to me since sleep hates me. i ran 3 miles today and that is seriously the most i have run on my own in ages, and its easy to get discouraged, but instead i give myself a pat on the back! i know you worked out this morning (high five! i haven't done any ab workouts in like a year haha) so congrats. that is awesome.
the thing is, i think a lot of us - or maybe just me - think that one day i will do something that will magically be one of those people who loves to workout and works out consistently and never has to force myself to do it.. but i have come to terms with the fact that i am not and will never be that person. and that is okay! who cares! i still do it because i am aware of the benefits. but anyway. i struggled with motivation for like 10 years, and i haven't found the secret or anything, but as soon as i stopped thinking of it as motivation but rather discipline, it became 'easier' for me. like brushing my teeth, or reading, or showering, it is something i do. not every day (ok i swear i brush my teeth every day) not for an hour every time, but something small every day is better than nothing.
also, something that helped me is i had to stop comparing - to previous me, and others. i could say well i only ran 3 miles and so and so ran 10, or i ran 3 miles 6 minutes slower than you did or me from 5 years ago did, but it doesn't get me anywhere, only makes me feel bad about myself. also, take every day as it comes, on its own. i used to be so bad about thinking in weeks or months that i would completely write off a week if i missed a monday or whatever.
anyway. i ramble a lot. i have a lot of thoughts on this subject because it is something i have always struggled with and i am always looking for that secret or magical dose of motivation. all this to say, you are not alone :)

AnneMarie said...

You are doing great! It's interesting you're talking about this, because I've been thinking about exercise quite a bit. I'm 3 weeks postpartum, so my midwife doesn't want me to do much in the way of exercise for a few more weeks to make sure that my body has healed. But I'm really itching to get back to exercise. I don't really enjoy running or anything like that, but throughout my pregnancy, I committed to doing 2 in-home workouts from youtube a week. I enjoyed how much these helped me mentally and physically, and I want to get back to a regular exercise routine, perhaps doing more stuff. The trick will be figuring out how and when to do it with my newborn, so I'll probably just do some trial-and-error to figure it out. (also, this is random, but even though I don't like running and can't run a mile without stopping at least a few times, I have this weird desire to do a 5k some time. Maybe I'll make that a goal within the next couple years)

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

I'm 100% in the same place as you! I love how I feel when I have a consistent workout routine, but gosh, it's hard to do. This was a great reminder to go easy on myself when I fall off the workout wagon. Which is often. :)

Rach said...

First of all, hooray for being back at pre-baby weight! I know that's something that can be a battle for a lot of women so I'm so glad you are there already! I hope as R gets bigger you'll be able to continue with an active lifestyle to set a good example for her even if it doesn't look like what it used to. :)

Rachel said...

Angel's theory on frustration is it's usually caused, to some great extent, by high expectations. I don't always agree with that theory, but I can see how it would apply to exercise--like how he's frustrated if he runs a 5k over 20 minutes because for most of humanity they would just be proud of that.
So it's quite possible that your frustration is related to your expectations of yourself. I'm not an athlete, so if I finish a 15 minute gentle workout video from youtube, I'm proud of myself. Athletes would just laugh at my attempts at exercise, but I'm happy with it because it's not a focus for me.

On the other hand, if I were to apply the idea of "I enjoy doing it, but I just don't always WANT to do it" to language learning....I understand where you're coming from entirely. I love learning and speaking my various other languages. Actually sitting down with a book or turning on a video so that I can learn some new vocab....that's a different story. We all have our 'things' that we're not as diligent about as we like to be.

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

Welcome to my world! Fitness is super frustrating for me right now too. I like exercising but my motivation is at around a 2 on a scale from 1-10. It's so hard to start back once you stop. I do exercise now and then but it isn't consistent.

I'm contemplating going back to crossfit. It's a real kick in the rear and it would get me in shape quick. Plus, I really like the community at the one here.

I feel like it's the initial starting back and being consistent that is so hard. Once you get over that hump it seems to go easier. I am thinking about doing Race for the Cure this fall in Wichita! You guys should come up. =)

Cece @Mahogany Drive said...

I used to struggle with it a lot until I found the motivation to start exercising 5 days a week in January. It's so hard to get on the wagon once you are off, so I decided never to get off. Forcing myself to do it day in day out no excuses long enough made it so that I enjoy it more and it feels like a habit.

Ali said...

I'm sorry you're feeling this way! Sometimes life just does get in the way, and that's maybe just the season of life you're in right now. It does get easier as baby gets older. Plus there's the old crutch of signing up for a race and then feeling like you have to do it since you shelled out the money. That usually works for me!

Julie @ Just the Joy's said...

I'm sorry your so frustrated with your fitness routine, however you truly have been busy being super working mom, wife, traveler, daughter, sister, etc! So don't be so hard on yourself! I think that if working out, running, doing exercise videos etc is something that makes you feel better physically and mentally, then it should really be a focus to make a small time for it at least a few days a week. Only because you deserve to do a little something for yourself! I am not the greatest with keeping up with a routine either. I find that having a partner to stay accountable or documenting the days I work out give me more motivation to keep going. Well, this is all pre 9 months pregnant. My workouts now a days consist of chasing a toddler around. ;)

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