Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
Over the past few months, my life has been a whirlwind of activity as I finished up 3 years of renovating my house, selling that house, and then finally finding a new place to live.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, deadlines, and endless to-do lists.
Amidst the chaos, my fitness routine took a backseat, and I found myself struggling to maintain consistency in my exercise, sleep and nutrition.
Weekends once reserved for soccer, self-care, and my workouts turned into marathon sessions of packing, cleaning and painting.
Meal prep took a backseat to ordering takeout. And sleep? Well, let’s just say it became a luxury I could scarcely afford.
But amidst the chaos, I realized something crucial – it’s okay not to be perfect all the time.
The funny part is I already knew this, and sometimes it’s worth learning a lesson over and over again ;).
As I’m sure has happened to you on your fitness journey, life throws curveballs and sometimes our routines get disrupted.
The key is not to let temporary setbacks derail our long-term goals.
So, as I settled into my new home a couple weeks ago, I made a conscious decision to get back on the fitness horse, one step at a time.
Step 1: Accepting that it’s okay to start small.
I wasn’t exercising, eating take out, and sleeping 5-6 hours a night.
And my regular week consists of 3 45-minute workouts a week, meal planning my lunches and dinners and sleeping 7-8 hours a night.
Instead of diving headfirst into intense workouts and strict meal plans, I focused on small, manageable changes.
Even if it meant squeezing in a quick 15-minute workout or opting for a healthier meal choice like hard-boiled eggs and some veggies as I unpacked instead of ordering pizza for the 100th time
Every little effort counted.
Step 2: Consistency became my mantra.
Instead of striving for perfection, I aimed for progress. Some days were better than others.
There were days when exhaustion got the better of me, and a workout seemed like an impossible feat.
But I reminded myself that even a short 20-30 minute walk around the neighborhood with my dog or a few stretches before bed were better than nothing and I made those little tasks my non-negotiables.
Step 3: Meal Planning became my saving grace.
Instead of relying on takeout and convenience foods, I took the time to plan and prepare nutritious meals ahead of time.
It required a bit of extra effort, but the payoff was worth it.
A daily smoothie turned into a non-negotiable for me as it was quick, and easy and kept me going!
Not only did I feel more satisfied and energized throughout the day, but I also saved time and money in the long run.
Step 4: Sleep became a non-negotiable.
It’s easy to overlook the importance of quality sleep.
However, I soon realized that adequate rest was crucial for my physical and mental well-being. So, I made a conscious effort to establish a bedtime routine, prioritizing relaxation and unwinding before bed.
It wasn’t always easy, but gradually, my sleep patterns began to improve, leaving me feeling more refreshed and energized each morning!
Throughout all of this, the most important lesson I learned is the power of resilience.
Life is full of ups and downs, but it’s how we respond to challenges that ultimately define us.
By embracing imperfection and celebrating small victories, I was able to reclaim control of my fitness journey
Regular exercise, meal planning, and a normal sleep schedule have never felt so good.
Of course, it’s okay to have things slip when you have other priorities, particularly as big as selling a house.
And it made me forget how good I feel when I do all the right things.
Plus, it reminded me how small hinges move big doors. I didn’t make massive changes to start off with, but the benefits are massive, and the best fitness plans have a bigger return than the investment given.
So, if you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, remember this – it’s okay to stumble, but it’s not okay to stay down.
Before you know it, you’ll be back in the saddle, stronger and more resilient than ever before.
If you’re feeling out of routine, start here.
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