Sometimes less can be more
Earlier this week I was cleaning out my office and desk area and came across an old agenda of mine. I flipped through it and realized it was from exactly two years ago, my old pre-Covid routine. I shook my head looking at all the back to back classes and clients I had, all over the city, all day long! I’d start at 7am or earlier and end at 7pm or later, basically every day of the week. I always worked weekends and felt exhausted. I’d catch up on sleep just in time to do it all again the next week.
I am extremely grateful for how my business has evolved during Covid. Professionally, my business has never thrived more, and I have found a way to make it work so that I feel energized for all my sessions, leaving me just a normal amount of tired by the end of the day. These past two years have reminded me that doing it all, saying yes to everything, and pushing through no matter what doesn’t always lead to the best possible outcomes.
The same thing can be true for our workouts and fitness experience. So many of us are worried if we miss a few days in the gym, “indulge” a little more on a Friday night (…if you’re me, that could be any night!), or don’t get the full hour workout in while at home being distracted with family or work. Let’s remember a few things today:
Rest is important. Our bodies simply cannot workout every day. For those that have habits of doing multiple workouts a day, unless you’re a top athlete training for a specific event, I’d argue you probably don’t need that either. Especially if you complete full body workouts, your body needs time to repair and recover in between. However - I do love a full body workout because you can get the most bang for your buck if you’re trying to fit in training 2-4 times per week.
Understand NEAT. NEAT is Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. Essentially, it is what we do beyond sleeping, eating, and exercising. This could include having a dance party at the end of the day, going for a walk around the block at lunch time, or even cleaning the house. Moving our bodies in a non-formal way can boost our mood, help us recover in between workouts, and also give our bodies a break from the sedentary lifestyle most of us have throughout the day, and postures that go along with it.
Do the workout that you have time for. Workouts do not need to be one hour in length. Be efficient with your time and effective in your planning and you won’t need the full 60 minutes. Currently with so many people spending more time at home, distractions come up, which can lead to excuses or lack of motivation. So, find a pocket of 20 minutes or do a 30 minute on demand workout to suit your needs and time available. You’ll feel better for it and probably find you’ll get more out of the workouts when you have a shorter, more focused time to dedicate to them.
Hydrate and nourish properly. Workouts are only one piece of a healthy lifestyle. We need to hydrate properly and fuel our bodies well. That may look different to different people so make it work for your needs. I keep a water bottle beside me always and try to add additional cups of herbal tea when I feel like mixing it up. I’m back into cooking more at home which I love and I usually feel better after those meals too. However, let’s remember that sometimes the fuel we need is for our soul and although some may argue it can be good for the soul and nourishing, sometimes that looks like something a little less nutritious.
Always come back to what your goals are. Most of my clients and what we promote at Discover You is feeling good in your body. That means feeling energized and capable of enjoying the other aspects of your life. Working out is important but in my mind, we do that so we can complete daily tasks like playing with our family or carrying our groceries with more ease. Get clear on your goals and make sure what you’re doing is setting you up for success.
More does not always mean better. You don’t always win from doing more. Listen to your body. In some cases, the best workout can be the one you showed up for. However, on other days, the best workout may be the one you do tomorrow, because you listened to your body today and knew you needed rest. Less can be more sometimes. No one knows your body better than you, so be sure to stop and listen to it.
So far this year I’ve been:
walking more
drinking more water and tea throughout the day
stretching more
working out only 2-3 times a week and for max 45 minutes (following a program for consistency)
trying to sleep earlier
cook more from home and enjoy other things when I feel like it, which is usually on the weekend (chips & dip, chocolate cake my Aunt likes to bake for me, sour candies)
I don’t get it right every day, but when I do, boy do I feel a difference. I encourage you to take a step back, listen to your body, and try to implement even a few small practices that leave you feeling good at the end of every day and week. They don’t have to be grand gestures, just something small and achievable.
Yours in self-discovery,
Rachel