What I’ve (re)Learned in 21 Days of Exercise

I was out of shape, I never denied that.

Getting out of shape took time, it didn’t happen over a single weekend.

However, I was frustrated with breaking my tibia just as I was finding some sort of consistent routine when it came to getting myself back to a version of my former self when it came to being fit and invincible.

It was a lot of things, focusing on work, being stressed about work, a ton of social obligations that took up my evenings, a convoluted schedule that made it easy to not find “me time” to put myself through the paces and keep some balance.

So, I decided to get myself back in shape. After seeing all of the Whole 30 eating rituals that everyone was posting on Facebook, I decided to do a Whole Exercise routine.

The concept was simple, have a meaningful workout every single day. The original goal was 30 days, but I’m going to bump it out to at least 45 days (ending September 15th) as it will carry me through my 29th birthday.

post run smile

The exercises I allowed into this rotation of active movement: running, cycling, weight lifting, rowing, swimming, and kickball. Essentially, things that were either cardio or strength based in nature, and a number of things I absolutely hate doing…running and swimming, I’m looking at you…

Somewhere, when I stopped being an elite cyclist, working out was no longer training for something, it was just working out, and it became easy to not make it a priority.

That’s changed. And it needed too. I need an outlet for the daily stress of work, the endorphin high from a solid workout, and finding new ways to challenge myself. So, getting my sweat on is now a priority in a way it hasn’t been in a long time.

Who knows what will come of this, maybe I’ll pick a running event to do, maybe I’ll just keep the momentum going into the fall. I’m undecided. The only thing I do know is that I’m feeling healthier and more level headed with just a few short weeks of daily sweat–a feeling that is pretty awesome.

Now, I need to go for a bike ride for day 22.