I am literally exhausted. Hour long, super intense workouts are great and all, and I’ve been riding the endorphin train around town, but I am officially spent.
One of the things people always complain about working out is how much time it takes up. So let’s discuss.
On the way to the gym I take the subway, which is usually about 30 minutes door to door, although depending on traffic, sometimes it can take 45 minutes.
From there, it’s an hour workout, super focused. The thing about having a trainer is you really can’t slack off — you’re paying them to be on top of things, and while it’s great for getting the most out of your workout, sometimes your muscles really aren’t into it.
Once the workout is over, I usually walk home. I treat myself to a smoothie protein shake, and enjoy the time walking back to further decompress and really get focused on what I have to do for the rest of the day. The walk is also 1.5 miles, so it’s a bit of cardio, and extends my workout that much longer. This is about 45 minutes to an hour.
Today’s workout was predominately legs, and I’m pretty sure there are muscles that I’ve never felt before who are currently on stage giving a solo performance. Inner thighs, glutes, lower back, and knees — it’s been nearly a month, and each of these areas is really feeling it.
But. All of the time and the soreness, well, they’re kind of worth it.
Because for the first time in a long while of working out, I’m super happy with my results. I look in the mirror and I can already see my chest is looking super defined.
Chest flyers were super open and on point, and I felt more stable and strong — my trainer even commented on how strong these were going. Bench press, same story.
They might really kick me in the butt, but seeing that level of progress is really motivating. Likewise, we returned to some traditional squats — something I usually do in my own routine — and it was a confidence booster of sorts. After feeling so tired and exhausted with new workouts and routines, it was nice to return to something that felt familiar. Working out doesn’t have to be such a challenge, and while you don’t want to let your workout stagnate, I’ve learned there’s nothing wrong with returning to familiar workouts when you’re feeling tired.
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24 hours later and yeah, hi, hey, hello, no bending down and my inner thighs and glutes are absolutely killing me. Definitely a sign of a good workout though, and I guess I’m not complaining. I’m also not moving very quickly, either.
Photo courtesy Kristin Booker for Giafrese
Whenever I’m like, “I don’t have time to work out!” I bitch slap myself and remember a) that I don’t have kids, and b) that being my own boss gives me the flexibility to actually make time for exercise. It took me a little while to change my mind-set, but now, when the boss tells me to lace up my running shoes, I remember to be thankful that I can simply double-knot and go.
30 Days of Fitness… Maybe next month I’ll give myself the same challenge! (Hope your muscles feel better soon!)
Totally agree on the flexibility/freedom to workout whenever that freelancing provides. Easier to get to the gym when it’s empty, and not have to deal with the crowds!
I probably should have talked more about how “yeah it’s a fair amount of time, but it’s not that hard to incorporate it into your schedule once you get used to it.” Maybe another post next time? But really, once you get going it’s so much easier to just get used to it, habits and all.
Totally support your own 30 Days challenge! Even if it’s as simple as running for a half hour every day, the challenge itself is great to see your limits and push yourself just a little bit further. Keep me posted!
[…] of May, today is the day our 30 Days of Fitness begins. The challenge was inspired by my friend Jeff Smith’s very own 30 day challenge and though my own exercise habits won’t be as rigid as his, I’m excited to see how my […]