The lockdown has seriously derailed me from continuing my workouts. Alright, alright… I got lazy and just stopped working out period. The pandemic had a little to do with it though! Since the lockdown and closure of gyms I’ve worked out less than 10 times since then. Coming from a 3x a week workout schedule it’s a drastic decline.
I guess I could say I gave myself a break. After working out religiously since late 2017, I found myself entering a very lax period in 2020. Mid-year I stopped with the workouts. I did maintain my moderate eating, never going overboard but indulging in moderation (!).
It’s not that I got so thin or even reached the ideal weight for my height BUT I was quite content with the body I had shaped into. It was more toned, stronger and healthier than ever before. Now here we are in 2021 and I can what see my laziness has gotten me. I didn’t gain too much weight but I did get my belly back and my arms and legs are no longer toned. So I took all the resolve I had and decided to work out again.
I started by going back to my early workout videos consisting of strength training and tried to do them at least 3x a week. Completely failed! I ended up doing only 2 workout sessions using those routines. I felt myself dreading to work out and finding reasons not to. That’s not what I wanted because I knew if my heart wasn’t into it I wouldn’t get back on track. It made me wonder why I had lost the interest to do those specific workouts knowing that these were what helped me lose all that weight.
Teslate workout towels in [L] Ray of Sunshine [R] Ignite designs
Entering 2021, my heart just wasn’t into it. I felt myself losing direction and focusing on negative feelings of doubt and loneliness. It came to a point my kids would ask me if I was okay. When my eldest asked me if I was doing okay and then offered time to talk, I knew I needed to realign myself. I needed to get my purpose back. I needed that drive and direction once again. I did some thinking and the first thing I did was to list down the things I was grateful for. I had a conversation with myself explaining why I was grateful for the things I was thankful for. As I was doing this I realized that yoga might be the answer and would hit two-fold. It could get me back in shape and realign me with myself, my purpose and give me that sense of peace and calm I was looking for.
Since the gyms are still closed my only option was to search for yoga videos I can do from home. I found 6 that I put into a playlist. The very first yoga session of the year I thought this’ll be easy, I’ve done this before and I know the poses. I was so wrong. I did a 30 minute session and it felt like I had done 6 of my usual strength training videos. I realized just how out of shape I was. The poses I could once do with ease I struggled with. I have to admit I felt disappointed with myself BUT I told myself that what once was learned and done can be relearned and done once again. I found myself looking forward to doing more yoga.
Now you might be asking what makes yoga the better choice for me. Having done strength training, HIIT, pilates and yoga I find myself going for yoga now because I realize that it’s in the simplest poses that my body is challenged. At the same time I’m engaging not just my body but my mind and my soul. Yoga asks you to set an intention and in that session you focus on that as your guide. Today’s intention was peace of mind and trusting in myself and the people I love. It was a bit of a heavy intention because I have things going on now that has deeply questioned my capabilities, my qualities and my worth.
My preference for yoga is just that, my preference. I’ve found yoga to be much more difficult as it requires focus, balance, flexibility and strength. My chosen yoga practice has always been Vinyasa. I get bored easily so I need something with more than just the basic poses. Another tell tale sign is the sore muscles that 1 yoga session gave me compared to the sore muscles I attained only after 2 strength training sessions.
I’ve heard that strength training can focus on all parts of your body while yoga mainly focus’ on just the lower part but I’ve found in my experience that it can also strengthen your arms (Chaturanga anyone?!). Also when done right it can hit every part of your body thus toning your arms, legs, and core.
Hopefully, my ramblings have helped in some way. Sometimes, I can go off topic but I hope it’s entertaining nevertheless! Stay safe everyone!
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Thank you for sharing your musing, Mommy Louise.
I can really relate. I have gained weight since last year and it is really hard to continue exercising/ working out. I am doing HIIT, Zumba, and simple YOGA exercises but I found it hard to be in continuous mode at home.
I need to focus and I want to engage myself again to be healthier and fit again.
I know we can do it. Stay safe and well! More Power!
Mahalaga talaga ang ehersisyo sa ating katawan. Kahit anu pa yang exercise ang gawin natin hanggat nakakatulong ito sa sarili ntin.
I do exercise din mommy pero di tuloy-tuloy, i do today and then kapag naisipan na naman ahaha.. Pero i try to be more focus and consistent, mas mahirap na din kasi kapag lalo pa lumaki
Thanks for sharing this mommy.
HI Louisa,
Our fitness goals have all been affected by the Pandemic & it is very hard especially if you have lost the discipline after a long time. My rule of thumb is to set up attainable goals and make it consistent. In my case since I have been running since 2012 almost every weekends I just have to content myself with long walks with my son (about 8 KM) on Saturdays and a short, slow paced run on Sundays because it is very hard to do it while wearing a mask. I also do Yoga but I do it the minute I wake up before I start my day. Just simple poses will do & do it consistently .I have been doing it since I started working in the mornings 5 years ago. Coupled with healthy food, enough sleep & hydration then it is okay. Small steps done consistently is much better than no exercise at all.
Stay safe & continue motivating yourself & others to be healthy & fit.
Thanks so much for visiting po! It’s been hard to get motivated during the pandemic but any movement is good! Take care po and stay safe and healthy!
Ikaw naman ang fitness inspo ko <3 Keep it up sis but not too much para makahabol ako char! love you!