Thoughts on Keeping Up With Exercise Routines and Other Good Habits

I wrote last week about my accidental weight loss of 2-3 pounds and how I’m trying to hang onto it. So far, so good. Yesterday was 115.5. I have my A1C reading on Friday, so we’ll hope that’s okay, too. But, just to show that life is always throwing a curve ball, that very same Wednesday I started getting sick, which doesn’t happen too often. Once in a while, though, maybe every other year or so, my chronic allergies and my chronic sinus problems combine to give me an actual infection. Nothing serious, and I’m not going to share any gross details about nose blowing or anything, but I was laid low through Monday after caving in and going to a doctor last Friday. Once I started in on antibiotics there was a definite improvement, but the process took several days. No floor exercises or walks took place during that time, and then we started in with snow and cold as of Tuesday. I wasn’t going to get out on the trail with those conditions, so the dreaded treadmill was in the cards. I wimped out yesterday but finally got myself upstairs today, putting in 45 minutes at a fairly slow pace and also doing a full round of the floor thingies. (I should do a post sometime about what I do, but it would have to involve a video. Have to think about that one. Let me just say here that I’m a firm believer in doing something simple and short, qualities that make the routine much easier to stick with.) In theory I’m back in the saddle.

In reality, though, I’m always impressed (or perhaps depressed) at how fragile good habits can be. I might think that I’ve really gotten into the groove on regular exercise or getting up early or eating fruit and veggies every day or something minor such as putting on makeup even though I’m going to be home all day (shoutout to my friend Marla on that one!) and then it all falls apart. Suddenly it’s been days since I’ve gotten it done, whatever it may be. Gretchen Rubin says in a very helpful post from a few years ago, “Avoid These 5 Traps That Can Destroy Your Good Habits,” “Unfortunately, even long-standing habits can be more fragile than they appear, so it pays not to get complacent.” Never assume that you never have to worry about breaking your good habit. I’ve tried to establish a routine for my mornings to include exercise: floor stuff right after breakfast, walk or treadmill after that, come home, take a shower, get dressed, do a brief housework drill, and then sit down at the computer for the day’s writing assignment. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But it’s very rare for me to actually do that. And now that we’re heading into winter, and especially now that we’re ending Daylight Saving Time (or perhaps starting it–I’m not sure), it’s going to be dark and cold at 7:30 AM, which is when I should be heading out for my walk. Instead I’ll be facing the dreaded treadmill. (It’s boring, not really unpleasant. But some good podcasts help!) So easy to say, “I’ve let it get too late. I’ll just do it tomorrow.” The constant vigilance can get wearing, and I’m not even talking about something rigorous. (Want to see rigorous? Check out this interview with choreographer/dancer Twyla Tharp, “Why Twyla Tharp Wants Us to ‘Shut Up’ and Do What We Love,” who’s now in her eighties and able to dead lift over 200 pounds; no bat-winged arms on that woman!)

I need constant nudges to stay in line. How about you?