Good Monday morning friends!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  Fall break is over and back to school the kids go.

I’ve been on the struggle bus the last week or so with my workouts and nutrition. I had surgery at the beginning of August and took about six weeks off.  The break was nice and much-needed, but it’s time to get busy.  Getting back into a workout routine or starting a new routine is hard.

Growing up I wasn’t much of an athlete.  I played basketball and soccer, but I wasn’t the best.  I was always one of the slower ones and to be honest I just wasn’t very good!

I spent my summer mornings working out in a sweat suit to my mom’s Jazzercise videos ha!  That was the extent of working out for me and the way I got rid of those extra pounds I put on during the summer.

During my twenties I got married, had babies, battled anxiety and depression so exercise wasn’t even on my mind.  I wish I would’ve lived a more active lifestyle back then.  But I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start.

After I had Mackenzie, my crazy hubby decided to train for a half-marathon.  Not really knowing what that was, I didn’t want to be left out, so I decided to train too.  I will never forget that first mile I set out to do.  Y’all.  Bless my heart.  I mean I thought in my head that running couldn’t be THAT hard.  Yeah…let’s just say it took me about 30 minutes to get through a mile and a half.  I remember thinking what the heck did I agree to?  I can’t even make it two miles how am I going to make it 13.1?

I set my mind on my goal and fought through the hard days.  I gave myself small goals and developed a good routine of getting up early to run.  I had three kids under four so waking up at 6:30-ish was the only time I had.

I slowly began to enjoy it.  It was my time to focus on myself and prepare my mind for the day.  I remember the first time I ran an entire mile without stopping.  I danced and danced on the side of the road not caring one bit what people thought of me as they drove by.  As the weeks went by, I added more miles and then found myself running anywhere from 7-8 miles on a Saturday morning.  I loved it!

I was hooked to the rush, the endorphins, the feeling of accomplishing something I never thought I could do.

Years later Joseph and I began CrossFit and that was a game changer for both of us.  I know CrossFit isn’t for everyone, but sometimes I think that a lot of people have a skewed view of it.  CrossFit has given me the strength and endurance to do life!  A farmers carry is like carrying all my grocery bags into my house and a deadlift has taught me how to correctly pick up something heavy.  I’m not trying to get you to come to CrossFit, but I totally am partial and think you should ;).

Going through a slump or wanting to get started can be overwhelming.  We’ve convinced ourselves that we can’t do it or aren’t athletic enough.  It is a mental game and overcoming your mind is step 1.

This morning I want to encourage you to get active.  Whether you are going through a fitness hiatus or you are trying to get started-here are a couple of helpful things that I do to help get me back on the fitness wagon.

SET GOALS AND CRUSH THEM

Setting goals is a must for me.  I work better under pressure and with a plan and goal in mind.  I am a list girl.  I love to write lists, but even more I love crossing things off my lists.  Setting goals and accomplishing them is so satisfying and empowering.

I mentioned overcoming your mind is step 1.  Once you do that-set out a plan.  What do you want to accomplish?  Do you want to run a certain amount of miles?  Do you want to lean out and tone?  Or do you just want to be active.

Give yourself a goal of 30 minutes a day.  Run/jog/walk for 30 minutes.  Each week increase those 30 minutes by 5-10 minutes.  Don’t think about the miles.  The miles will come.

When I started running I tried the apps where they told me when to run and walk.  They didn’t work for me.  Instead I listened to music and set out to run as far as I could.  Once I felt like I couldn’t run any longer I would walk and give myself a marker on the road such as a garbage can, street sign or bush.  Once I reached that marker, I would run again.  I slowly began to run longer and walked less.

Breathing while running is super important.  I taught my athletes in the 6:45 morning class to think about Lamaze class.  The “hee hee hoo” breathing technique I called it ha!  Getting your breathing under control will help lots!

For those going through a hiatus-give yourself a goal of a certain number of days you want to get in for the week.  If you are a runner-set out to run three days a week.  If you go to a fitness class do the same.  Set out a number of days and increase a day each week.  Before you know it, you will be back at it.  Muscle memory is great and you will realize that after a couple of weeks you are close to where you were when you quit.

Schedule Your Day

Go ahead and schedule your workout.  Put it in your planner or phone.  Set that time aside.  As moms it’s hard finding time.  I’ve found that early mornings are best for me.  It stinks getting up early at first, but your body gets used to it.  Set out your clothes the night before, go to bed early and set your alarm.

Sometimes afternoons are then only time that works and that’s ok too.  Mom’s with older kiddos-go for a walk during practice or bring your yoga mat and dumbbells with you.  I’m sure there’s a mom or two that would join you!

A little sidenote here….do not feel bad for setting this time aside.  Absolutely not.  We are working on us so that we can be better wives, moms and friends.   I am a better person when I am working on me.  I used to feel bad for bringing my kids to the gym with me.  Not anymore.  It is ONE hour of their day and it isn’t hurting them to sit and let mommy have her time.  Before you know it they will want to join you.  You are setting a good example of being active.  I love that my kids want to workout with me.

Moms-be encouraging to one another.  If working out isn’t your thing don’t put those that do down.  We are all different.  Our seasons are different.  Our priorities and our lives are different.  And that is ok!  You do you and I’ll do me.

Ok.  Sidenote over.

Find a Support System

One of my favorite things about CrossFit is my people.  My community, my tribe.  I look forward to going to class and when I’m not there I get a text asking me where I was.  A good support system of encouraging friends is a must.

CrossFit may not be for you-no hurt feelings.  But find something that is.  Whether it’s meeting to run with friends, a spin class, yoga or boot camp.  There are so many different ways to stay active.  Find which one works for you and do it.  But most importantly, find a place that will encourage, motivate and push you.  A place where coaches will be there to help you and teach you correct form and technique.

I’m partial, but my community is the bomb.com.  These friends have gone through so much with me.  Sickness, death, hardships, anxiety, issues with kiddos…  I am who I am because of these folks.  They are my tribe and I am so thankful for them.

So are you ready?  Set some goals girlfriend, believe in yourself, plan your day and find a tribe that will push you.

But above all-GRACE, GRACE, GRACE.

Do not quit if you miss a workout.  If the kiddos are sick and you haven’t done anything in days-do not let your mind convince you that all your hard work is ruined.  Get back on that wagon and hold on.  You can do anything you set your mind on.  I believe it.  I’ve lived it.  And you can too.

I hope you have a wonderful Monday.  The alarm is going off and it’s time to wake up the kiddos.

-Maggie