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You see, I've never been the athletic type nor have I been someone drawn to exercise by some sort of innate desire to be active. I'll admit, more often than not, getting myself to work out has generally been hard work (you've read this post about it, right?). I have often just been one of those people that have associated "working out" with a type of chore -- another thing I have to fit into my life. Yes, I know that there are so many healthy benefits to working out and staying active, but I just couldn't find something that could fit into my schedule and that, to me, wasn't synonymous with masochism.
In spite of this, I have continually searched for workouts that would prove to be the perfect fusion of fun and effective. At the end of the day, I do strive to be healthy and it would be nice to have a bikini-ready bod throughout the year. It wasn't until the past month, though, that I realized that I had finally achieved the sort of synthesis I was looking for. By incorporating a variety of workouts throughout the week, I may have just found the perfect combination for me.
I've been trying to keep up with my yoga classes, my TRX class and, recently, dance fitness classes throughout the week. By making small, easily attainable goals, I find myself able to make it to these workouts and want to go to more.
I knew that it would be unrealistic to commit to "as many yoga classes a week as possible," even though I would love to make it to more classes. Instead, I told myself "try to make it to just one a week," and have been able to make sure I incorporate yoga into my weekly workout routine. Then there's my weekly TRX class -- also one night a week with a group of my neighbors. I know it's always going to be at the same time, so I schedule around it. Throw in my Saturday morning dance/fitness class, which is late enough that I can still go out the night before, yet early enough to kickstart my day, and I've made it to three workouts a week! While this in and of itself is no extraordinary feat, I still am getting in great and effective workouts throughout the week.
I think I owe part of my success in making it to these workouts to the fact that they're all community/group-based workouts. While I do have to be motivated to attend the workouts, I have a support system -- whether it is the community at my yoga studio, my neighbors who do TRX with me, or my cousin who comes to my weekend workout -- that encourages me to attend and makes the experience more than just a means to great abs and toned legs. These workouts have become a social activity too, which allows me to feel as though I'm accomplishing more than just checking-off that work-out box. Instead, I can also get in some valuable social time with great people and even have a laugh or two in the process.
Another reason I think I've been enjoying my workouts is because of the variety. I don't just go to the gym every day, run for 20 minutes, lift weights and have a go at the StairMaster. I switch things up by attending different types of classes that engage in fitness in different ways. All of my instructors switch up their workouts every week too, which makes me excited to try something new out when I step into the studio/gym. This variety coupled with the communities participating invigorates me and motivates me to attend classes -- making me excited to go, ready to challenge myself and eager to do even more.
I was shocked when I found myself telling my cousin (who will not be able to make next weekend's dance workout) that I was still going to go to class, even though she wasn't going to be there. Willingly wanting to wake up for a two hour workout on Saturday morning? That was when I had my epiphany. I had settled into a routine that worked for me, and dare I say it, I find myself enjoying my workouts.
Guess we'll see pigs flying next, right?
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