Today, I got up, went to class, came home, snuggled with the mister, did my pcp workout, baked some banana bread, worked on the house, cleaning and fixing, made dinner, and am now just finishing up with blogging and some cleaning before jumping into bed with my book. It was the kind of day that I think of when I think of life being good; relaxed and productive and really pleasant. This is my baseline for what life should be like.
Lately, things have been busy and so I haven't had as much time or mental energy for pcp. I've been great on the diet, but when working out, it hasn't been with as much care as it should be. I've done the exercises, gotten through, but haven't taken the time to really check my form and make sure I'm getting the most out of the exercises, and not going all the way to farthest amount of failure I can get to. I've been slacking. I kept telling myself that I'd get back up to par when life slowed down. But the thing is, life will never really slow down. Well will never slow down to the point at which I say, "ok, life is slow now; now is the time to do better with the workouts". It's a mistake to think that when life slows down there will be more space for well focused workouts. That's the wrong way of thinking about, because then you end up with life and working out and they're separate. They're not separate. They're one and the same. PCP/being healthy is life and life is PCP/being healthy. If try to separate them, you're only going find time for one: life or pcp. But when you realize that pcp is just another part of life and just get in there, that's when you've got it.
During the first month, I kept thinking, "oh in October when I don't have to workout ...". But no, that's not it at all. The 90 days don't matter. Well they do, I'm glad there's only 90 of them, I'm not sure I could pull off 120 or more, but they don't really matter. PCP doesn't end on day 90. By day 91, hopefully we've boosted ourselves up from our old normal to a new better normal so that when we don't have a workout prescribed or our daily grams measured out, we don't go back to our old ways, we start to find our way around daily life at our new, better level of normal.
End philosophisizing - Bicycles today were so hard. I don't know what it was but I was really struggling to get through the last two sets. Also, I did 6 sets of pull-ups with Jordan's help. He definitely had to help me way more at the end at the beginning. Patrick, is that the best way to approach them? Or should Jordan help me as little as possible so that I fail early on and then finish out the rest of the sets as inclined pull-ups?
Haley, what a great post. You're absolutely right, there is no "perfect" time to get in shape or "really take the workouts seriously." If this is going to be part of our lives we have to find a way to make it fit with our lives as they are, instead of waiting for everything to calm down.
ReplyDeleteI can also tell you, being post-day-90 now, that it's a little weird to be finding my way around my new normal life. So far, so good. But it's easier (I think) to say, "I'm going to work out today because I only have to do this for 90 days" than to say, "I'm going to work out today because I want to be healthy." I'm having to get in touch with the REAL reasons I wanted to do the PCP, not just the reasons that kept me going through the 90 day period. I think it's great that you're already thinking this way now.
I have seen so many fantastic changes in you through this process -- obviously I don't really know you but I've seen a real difference in your postings. I think this is going to be something real and lasting for you.
Tara's right. Real changes. After the break-down post a few weeks past, I thought, well, this could go one of two ways, she's quits or she recovers and blows this out of the water. I'm smiling big right now, cause you chose option 2. I'm really looking forward to following you through the end of this journey. Go, Haley, go!!
ReplyDeleteHaley - great post. You're so right on. I struggle with this every day as well, the conflict between my busy life and my personal goals (whether they are fitness or career or relationship goals). It's so easy to make excuses, esp the "I just don't have time right now..." excuse. This program has shown me that I can prioritize my health and well-being even when I don't have any extra time in my day. I do think we're all moving toward a new kind of normal - that's a great way to put it!
ReplyDeleteAnd I echo what Tara and Jenny have said - I also see such a shift happening in your posts. I'm so happy that you are here, kickin' it old skool with Team Badass - it wouldn't be the same without you! :)
Have Jordan help as much as needed. When you're strong and fresh in the beginning just a small push from him, and in the third and fourth set he should be really helping you out.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! Keep thinking this way!!
ReplyDeletewoooo weeee Haley. such a strong attitude. rip it up my friend!
ReplyDeletebtw, that sounds like a perfect sunday that you described. jealous much.
everything you've written is so true! I don't have much else to add except that i'm seeing first hand with the hoarding mom what happens when you don't just "get in there".
ReplyDelete