Fitness Goals - Fall 2020
Story time about how my I began my fitness journey. I am not even concerned as to how many people actually read this one, but telling my story and getting the goals written out will help get me motivated to keep going. Goal setting is a helpful way to ensure progress is being made for any type of project.
So buckle up, grab your coffee, tea whatever you’re drinking as I take you along my fitness journey.
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. Should you make a qualifying purchase through one of my links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you so much for your support.
My Journey
When the cat and dog photo bombed my yoga practice in 2017.
8 years ago, My fitness journey began with the discovery of yoga and I fell in love. I learned that my body could do things that I never realized was possible. Over a few months of consistency, I began learning to do arm balances and gained strength I didn’t know that I could. I was in awe, but I began to struggle to progress the way I wanted to, yes I know yoga isn’t about the speed of the progression but I still wanted more. Also, keep in mind I was still a beginner and I maybe only attended a yoga class once a week.
So I took a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) style strength training class at the yoga studio I was going to at the time. I learned quickly that there were areas of my body that I was not able to increase my strength just by doing yoga. So after some time of doing yoga and the HIIT style class I could feel my body getting even stronger. But it still wasn’t enough.
So I joined a gym and began small, using the knowledge I gained from the HIIT classes I took at my yoga studio. The gym I attended was pretty big, and the weights section was a bit intimidating. So I found myself a corner with some light weights to do my workouts, also while incorporating yoga.
This is when I began being more conscious of what I am eating. I started tracking calories and just eating more whole foods. I didn’t have much of an understanding of how to eat for what my fitness goals are. I just wanted to eat healthier.
Roughly 3 years ago, I found a super small gym that I felt much comfortable in and began using barbells, the cable machine and the squat rack. This is when I saw an increase in strength quickly and I fell in love all over again. I began lifting heavier on a consistent basis and could feel the strength that I was building. I’d spend my rest days doing yoga as an “active rest day” to still get my body moving. I spent about 2 years in a consistent fitness routine.
Around this time, I became more aware of how to track macros and what I needed to do to achieve my fitness goals with food. I learned more that it is more about how you feed your body, than it is what you do in the gym. Both are important. But when I was only spending an hour a day at the gym, leaving 23 hours of what? So once I realized that the rest of the time needs to be productive too.
Fast Forward To 2019
The last year I have been out of it. I bought my condo (YAY this was a big accomplishment for sure) and began renovating right away and took up all of my free time. So eventually, I just fell out of it completely.
Then just as I was getting ready to get back into the gym, COVID happened. I mean, literally THE same day my boyfriend and I headed to the gym to workout, we were told we couldn’t workout because of the state ordinance closing all non-essential businesses. So ever since then I just hadn’t had much motivation to do anything fitness related - since I never got started.
So gyms began opening up more and I thought okay, I could go to the gym now. But since COVID is still a risk and since I have asthma, it puts me at greater risk. Even though my gym is always so clean and sanitized, I just don’t want to risk anything. Right now, I still only go to work maybe see my family every few weeks and that’s about it. I haven’t gone out to eat since before COVID.
So I finally decided enough is enough. I can still get my body moving without going to the gym.
So I have been going for a run every day, just short 1-2 miles. I live in a mountain town, so the route I have found has some ups and downs to it. Some of it on a trail and some of it on the road. Actually it’s about half trail and half road. So it is a good mix up. I had never been a runner, but it actually feels good to run. So running feels great, but I still want more.
My Current Routine
I found out that the Nike Training Club App now offers their premium version for free. I decided to check that out, there are so many workouts available. There are many workouts that are class style workouts and others that are just guided workouts. Many of which do not need any equipment, which is perfect for me since I don’t want to go to the gym during this time. There are options to begin workout programs for a variety of goals.
Currently I am working on a yoga program called “Yoga Flex and FLow with Alex and Branden.” Which are all class based workouts that range from 15-60 min classes. The program is four weeks with 4 workouts per week. The last workout in each week are short guided meditation classes so I’m adding those to the end of the last workout for the week.
So my weekly workout routine is run for 2 miles for 4 days a week. The other three days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) a 1 mile run and the NTC yoga workout program. With the option to take Saturday OR Sunday as a complete recovery day.
My Goals
My goal here is to just keep consistency. I just need to get back into the habit of a workout routine. So having a four week yoga program will be helpful. The Nike Training Club app will send me notification reminders to get my workout in.
My goal for running is to gradually increase my distance and get better endurance. I can run two miles a little over 30 min, which isn’t as bad as I thought that I’d be. Which made me feel good, I thought I’d be much slower since I have my asthma. So far, I haven’t had much of an issue with my lungs. I sometimes have a rough time hiking at higher elevations and I think that may be due to the fact that I have poor cardio vascular endurance. I LOVE high country hiking so I aim to improve my endurance with these new running goals.
After my yoga program ends in a month, I’ll add another mile, running only 4 days a week and start a new 6 week class based HIIT style workout program with 3 classes a week. I plan to continue to run throughout the winter, given it is not snowing and the ground isn’t super slick. If it does turn out to be a super snowing winter like it was in 2018, I’ll just have to find a route on the main road since it’ll be more likely to be snow free most of the time. I’ll make it work.
When it comes to my nutrition, I have a much better grasp on what my body needs. I know I thrive on a whole food carb rich diet consisting of complex carbs. I know that my job is extremely active and I am considerably less active on my days off from work. So my nutrition has to follow that. I will be simply tracking my calories and making sure that I am not eating more than I am expending, eating more whole foods, and limiting added sugar and refined carbs like white bread. Read my blog posts on Inflammatory and Anti-Inflammatory Foods.
I know these aren’t super specific goals and a nothing to measure, but since I cant just jump right back into my old gym routine. I think starting out small and working with what I have to make the best of the situation is my best option. So I can control the fact that I can move and how I move as well as what and how much I eat. What goals are you working towards? I’d love to know, comment below.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. Should you purchase using my links, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! Check Out my AMAZON IDEA LIST for my Favorites!
If you are here and reading this, that means you have an interest in your health and fitness. That is so good, I am so excited for you! Taking care of your body is literally the best thing you can do for yourself in the present as well as long term. I read this quote, not sure who said it though
“Do something today that your future self will thank you for”
I just find that so inspiring. Hard work will pay off in the future, but you also have to live in the moment and I feel like taking care of yourself is doing both. You are doing good for yourself now as well as for your future self.
If you are interested in learning more about all things health and fitness, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram @myactivelife_stacey. I’ve got big things coming and I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Stay tuned!
Subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of the page to get tips on things health and fitness related along with some tips on outdoor activities sprinkled here and there. Thank you all for the support and I’ll see you in the next post!
