I’m not gunna lie, I’ve managed a mere 3 runs and 2 hockey games since my 1/2 marathon on May 15th. Pathetic. I’m feeling as though I’ve lost my stride with exercise…a rut, even.
In selfishly timely fashion, Biz posted a 101 days of summer challenge. Immediately I knew I needed (and wanted) to jump on the opportunity to kick things into high gear. I let this challenge roll over in my brain today and I decided to use Alison’s daily mile goal as my challenge…with a modification.
Lately, any excuse in the book popped into my head as to why the present day isn’t a good day to workout. Topping the list…always: I’m tired. Darn it, I am tired! It’s all I have in me to keep my eyes awake at the wheel during my 30 mile commute home on Thursday afternoons here lately. And then of course my vain excuse: if I don’t workout tonight, I can get by without washing and drying and straightening my hair for tomorrow (Note: I know I’m one of the lucky ones who can easily go 2+ days without getting the “greasy” look!). Hello, 5:30am comes early enough as is! Oh, to be a man. And then the excuse I used earlier this week: running after eating = cramps, bloat, and the feeling of imminent up-chuck (TMI?). BUT, I could always walk or wait til later.
I did really well with my April DO What You DON’T Challenge that I set before myself and many of you. So voicing my 101 Days of Summer Challenge HERE for you all to see is accountability in and of itself. Plus, I would never lie to Biz on my progress!! 😉
101 Days of Summer Challenge Goal: Run 1 mile AT LEAST 70 days.
While this does not SOUND lofty, my issue is not the running…it’s the motivation to start. If I can bear a mile, I can nearly guarantee that most, if not all, of those runs will turn into 2…3…4…5…6…maybe even 7 milers. Okay, that may be a stretch…but possible!
I know a lot of health, food, and fitness bloggers do way more than this each day, but days seem to be dropping like flies and I want to do what I can to 1) keep up with the speed of life and 2) make the most of each day mentally and physically — something I’ve put on the back burner in the past few weeks.
If YOU, too, are in a bit of a rut or lacking the motivation or drive to reach a goal, join Biz’s challenge! I double-dog dare you! 😉
Mr. Prevention and I are road tripping to Lincoln, Nebraska for the weekend! I am not sure how plugged in I will be, but I will be around at some point. Have a wonderful, safe, and tasty Memorial Day weekend…I hope everyone gets at least a 3-day weekend! 😉 I have my workout clothes packed, as well as my Garmin. While the challenge doesn’t start until Memorial Day, I plan to get in the workout groove before then!
And Happy 25th Birthday to my BFF, Kristen if she’s reading this! <3
Question: What keeps you from entering a workout rut? Do you set workout goals for yourself to stay motivated and on-track with your long-term goals of health and wellness? Will you be joining Biz’s 101 Days of Summer Challenge? 🙂
Catch you in Lincoln,
I find switching it up really helps me stay out of a rut. Also, ‘allowing’ myself to switch it up. I used to be very ‘all or nothing’ and that actually PUT me in ruts. Now I just do what I want and it’s much more enjoyable.
I always make sure I do something I love to prevent a workout rut. I’ve learned that yoga and running keep me happy 🙂 I find myself in a rut when I go to the gym.
Have a great weekend!!
It’s good that your goal is realistic for you, because if not, you might end up backing out when you realize you can’t keep up.
Also, for your hair have you tried dry shampoo?
Author
No, I’m intrigued…what is it? I sweat a TON when I workout, so I dunno if not doing a full, wet, soapy shampoo would be an option.
It’s always a good thing to set healthy goals–that’s the first step 🙂 Hope you and the Mr. have a nice weekend and a safe trip!
I long for the days of high school sports. That’s the only time when I’ve been able to keep to a work out ethic of any sort. Committment to a team sport helps me. Thus, I’ve had a lot of good intentions the last 10 years without much results :).
Have a great weekend in Lincoln!!
I’m the same way. If I go a day without washing my hair it looks like I slept on an oil rig. I envy those women with thick hair who can skip two days. I wouldn’t mind sleeping in a few days a week.
I’ve tried dry shampoo and it work OK, but my hair still doesn’t look great. I guess I can thank my thin hair.
I have thick, wavy hair. I used to straighten it all the time and spend at least 1 hour working on it after a shower. Now I wear it wavy 90% of the time… it’s SO much easier and I find it helps me work out more because I don’t dread having to do my hair…
However… I’m in a little bit of a exercise rut now… I gotta get back on the ball- thanks for the motivation! I will go for a walk/jog today and maybe look into joining a challenge 🙂
Have a great weekend!
When I don’t want to exercise I just tell myself I only need to work out for 20 minutes and then I can stop. This always gets me out the door and moving! 20 minutes isn’t very much, but it’s better than nothing!
I run with my dog, so if I don’t go it means she turns into an over-energized ball of crazy. That helps keep me from sitting on the couch. Lol
I love that you use the “I won’t have to wash my hair” reasoning. That’s a big one for me. Its just such a hassle. Actually, my boyfriend wanted to take me out for dinner the other night and I said to him “can you pick something up instead? I don’t want to shower after my run.” He’s still laughing about that one.
That sounds like a great plan! I know what you mean– when I don’t want to work out, if I force myself to get out there by saying, Just do ten minutes, and then you can quit, I hardly EVER quit after only ten minutes! Your one milers will definitely turn into more! Get it, girl!
Have fun in Nebraska!
Thanks for the shout out Nicole – I think that’s a great goal! I’ll be posting all the participants goals and links on Sunday.
Have an awesome weekend with the hubs!
Thank you for posting about Biz’s challenge. I just popped over there and joined. I really needed a challenge to help get my butt in gear.
Awesome!!! You will rock out any challenge I have no doubt! 🙂
I think the “I’m tired” excuse is so common, and often valid – especially when you work as much/hard as you do! I know that is ALWAYS my number one excuse for not working out. Sometimes I’ll treat myself to extra caffeine as motivation (healthy, right?) 😉 but I’ve recently figured out that if I have a “short” night’s sleep one night, I HAVE to get a good night’s sleep the next! Also, not to be shallow, but new workout clothes (and music) always motivates me, too. 🙂
I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, Nicole!!
Have a great trip to Lincoln. I used to have all kinds of excuses, but most of all was time. I just never had time. I am glad that I have some time now because when I join everyone else in the real world (yes, I do not think of my island life as the real world) I will probably be out of time again.
I love your hair excuse. I think that I’m just on automatic with working out. I expect to exercise six days out of seven and I just usually do it. So, the Nike slogan keeps me out of a rut???
i love biz’s challenge…..i work out with a personal trainer-that keeps me out of my rut!
When I don’t want to work out, I try not to think too hard about it. If I do, I can talk myself out of it! I just go through the motions, and before I know it, I’ve started my workout. I will tell myself I only have to do 30 minutes, but I always go longer once I start.
Have a great long weekend! No big plans here, except to start thinking about packing up this apartment for the big move next month!
I’m in a slight rut as well! If I don’t work out in the morning, I won’t do it. I know that about myself. I’ve been working early and also been super tired. Plus eating too much. Blah!!!!!!! Have a great weekend in Nebraska!
all the best for the challenge you can do it Rebecca
I’ve been lucky not to get into a rut so far, but with starting a new full-time job, I know that fitting exercise in is going to be more difficult. So my main goal this summer is just to get settled into a routine that includes exercise most days of the week!
Great challenge! I was in a workout rut for a long time. I’ve started doing The Dailey Method, a Pilates/yoga/ballet class several times a week, and it has really helped me get out of my rut… 🙂 My goal for this summer is to add swimming to my workout schedule at least twice per week.
Have a wonderful road trip & a great weekend!
When I get out of my exercise rut, I will let you know how I got out, LOL. I actually got some good ones in this week, so I think I’m coming out of the dark. 🙂
Have a safe and fun trip!
Jenn
Hey Nicole, thank you for posting this. I have had a hard time getting motivated to work out lately. Just want to have fun, eat cheese and drink wine. But not sure this will take me anywhere 😉
I thought that, now that the summer’s here, I’d like to go swimming more often. I like swimming with fins, it is a good leg workout!
You are one of the lucky ones too?! I sometimes go three days without washing mine. Muahaha, and it’s only THEN starting to get greasy. ha
I am in an exercise rut myself. I have still been working out, but nothing it really thrilling to me anymore, I just sort of….do it. Maybe if I had a PARTNER to do it with 😉 it would be easier. Yeah, I need someone to motivate me, and whom I can motivate!! That would help.
HAve a great road trip!
Have fun in Lincoln!
And I do need to set workout goals of some sort in order to keep me motivated. This summer it is preparing to bike the first day of RAGBRAI – about 70miles. Therefore I have to train or I won’t be ready :-).
Good post nicole, everyone should workout daily atleast for 15 minutes, i think i have to start it now
I am jealous – I try but need to wash every day – well I at least rinse every day.
After my 1/2 marathon I know I’m going to need something to challenge me. I hope to start strength training but I would love to keep up with the running – great challenge!
Have a great weekend in Lincoln.
I’ll admit, I fell out of my workout routine for a while there. Just this past week I started up again — now I’m getting up an hour earlier to do it in the morning when I’m fresh (I know myself, if I don’t do it in the morning, I won’t do it, lol!). We can do it though! 🙂
I hope you’re having a wonderful trip, Nicole!
Good luck with your challenge! To keep out of a rut I signed up for 3 more races a couple weeks ago!
so sorry to hear about your workout rut!! i know what helped me during the winter months on the treadmill, and even now really, is switching up my tv shows!! silly as it may sound it works – I now look forward to seeing what will happen on The O.C or Gossip Girl 🙂
oh you could also try new workout videos
Training for a race has definitely helped motivate me to run more often – I also always remind myself that once I start running, I always feel better afterwards!
Great idea.
I was just telling someone else how our summer family trips really put pressure on my workout and healthy eating attempts. I need some structure and discipline.