138 Days – I Stopped Counting Today

Two weeks ago, I put on a workout outfit. I was determined to get back into my habit of working out three times each week. I like how it feels, how my clothes fit, when I maintain healthy habits. I have gone through periods of time where I consistently tracked both my food intake (diet) and fitness routines. Recently, I’ve realized I need to get back on track.

When was the last time you fell out of a good habit?  

My fitness habit became a lower priority. I’m growing my speaking business with several speaking opportunities to prepare for. I’m working on a new business to advocate for kids with special needs. I am leading a marriage ministry with my husband. I’m helping to start a new Toastmasters club. Oh, and I have 6 kids. The oldest, needs a ride to work and is learning to drive. #2 is in marching band. The middles, #3-5, are all in gymnastics with varying schedules for practice. The youngest is a toddler who is by my side most of the time. There is a much more detailed list that I will not include for the sake of space, but…

No excuses. I don’t like excuses. I prefer to allow my reasons why I should not do something or why I should be okay not doing something to be the very reasons I should.

Two weeks ago, I wore my workout outfit all day and did not work out.

For me, fitness has been about meeting a goal. Early this year, I had a fitness/weight goal to reach by June. I reached it a month early! I made a conscious decision to coast a bit, but that was not my long-term intent. Yet here we are in September and I have realized I didn’t just fall off, I have totally abandoned the workout wagon.

Have you ever met a goal and neglected to set another goal?

Guilty as charged. I had to realize why I set a goal in the first place. Health and fitness are important to me because I know when I am my best self, I am better equipped to serve others. Having a healthy and balanced life requires making good choices daily. Being healthy doesn’t just happen. It is a way of life. It is not a diet or a sprint to the finish line. Maintaining my fitness goal is just as important as when I first achieved the goal.

Today, I woke up and got dressed in my workout clothes. “Let’s try this again” I told myself.

Today, I successfully completed my 42-minute circuit workout routine. It is a small victory, but one that was not easily won. As I wrote down my routine for today, I looked at the last recorded workout. It was completed on May 7^th. 138 days, over four months, have passed since I last completed a workout.

Is there a goal or milestone you have met that you want to maintain?

If you’ve been stuck or frustrated because you stopped doing something you didn’t mean to stop… If you’re a mom who has kids in a variety of activities that distracted you from your goal… If you started a new business and put all your extra energy into it… If you serve others and give your spare time… If you want to become the best “you”…

Start from stuck.

If you want more but feel stuck or think you don’t have time to achieve your goal, start by extending grace to yourself. Take a deep breath in through your nose. Exhale through your mouth. Now, say “I’m okay. I can do this.” If you have a goal that will benefit your health and well-being, make it a priority. Put it on your schedule or to-do list before anything else. When you make good choices for yourself, you can be the best version of you that can extend to the world around you. It’s never too late to start a new habit.

You’ve got this! You can do it, even if it takes you 138 days.