Just. Do. It.

If anyone’s been keeping up...I’ve been feeling a little uninspired for a while. Luckily, one of my friends decided we should do a fitness challenge together. We decided we would work out for 24 days- every day in December until Christmas. I’m SO glad we decided to do this challenge for a couple of reasons- it’s always super helpful for me to have a concrete goal to work towards- I’m actually being held accountable for doing my workouts and I do NOT want to be a lame-o quitter, AND my challenger friend just moved back to England, so knowing we have something connecting us across the pond is making me a little less sad about not seeing him every day. When he was still living here, he was always such a steady source of positivity and fun. Whenever I was feeling a little lazy or down, he was always there to crack a joke or remind me that the difference between lazy and badass isn’t so big. Another friend and I were talking about him leaving and we decided that we’d just have to turn up our own positivity that much more to fill the gap!

Since I’ve been in a little bit of a lull lately, knowing I have a “reason” to work out is starting to get that fire under my butt burning again. I even stepped outside the box and make up my own circuit workout today! *gasp* This challenge has been particularly great because we get to choose our own workouts. We just have to do SOMETHING every day. Some days mean doing a 30 min online yoga class at home to relax before bed and some days mean balls to the wall HIIT at the gym...whatever I’m feeling that day. Normally, I fall into the trap of thinking I shouldn’t bother working out unless I can actually go to a class or dedicate at least an hour to my workout at the gym. Today’s circuit reminded me that you can break a sweat in 10 mins! Of course, longer would be great, but anything is better than nothing!!! 

I was in the best shape of my life a couple years ago, but that place seems to be getting further and further away...and seems less and less feasible to get back to. At that time, I was skating 3 hrs a day, working out at the gym for an hour or so 3-5 times a week and probably not eating as much as I should have been. I’ve been struggling with not wanting to stop myself from eating things (like bread and pasta) anymore, but finding the balance has been harder than I thought. I don’t feel the way I want in my body, and as I make my way back to a better place, I want to make sure I do it in a balanced, healthy way- both mentally and physically. 

These struggles have definitely played a part in my lull. Not feeling 100% about my body’s current state was making me want to stay on the couch instead of getting out there and actually doing something about it. (Uh, HELLO!? That’s not solving anything...) Since I burn the candle at both ends, I always struggle with napping during the day. I. Love. Naps. And they seem necessary since I have to be up early to coach out on the ice and I’m up late with salsa rehearsal. But, this last week of workouts has reminded me that I actually need to nap less than I think. Especially if I’m putting my time into working out and giving my body more energy. Side effects- I get to be happier with the way I look and feel! Moral of the story: when you feel like you want to shrink into a ball on your couch for longer than you should, DON’T. DO. IT. Force yourself to at least do a little something- 20-30 mins matters. And you’re certainly not going to feel any better in your body if you’re not doing anything about it. So, get out there and do it, peeps!!! I’m on my way to the gym right now. 💪🏼