Although I’ve admitted that I’d been slumping in regards to my fitness routine these past couple of weeks, as I’ve sat back and thought about where I was in regards to my fitness lifestyle, I’ve realized I’ve made a lot of changes. Nothing huge or groundbreaking, but I feel like these changes have helped me for the better in the long run. I thought I’d sit back and write today about the different habits I’ve accumulated this year in regards to my well being, both mentally and physically.
#1 Quality over Quantity of Workouts
At the beginning of this year, I had reassessed my entire routine and came to the realization that I was trying to do too much. I was working out for almost an hour and a half, doing 5 circuits of 3 different exercises. I felt like I had to hit every single muscle, and if I didn’t do it than I wasn’t getting the results. My workouts felt like an eternity long with no end in sight. So this year, one of my goals was to ensure that I’m doing quality movements over the quantity. I went from resenting my workouts to enjoying them again, so this change was definitely for the better!
#2 Drinking More Water
I’ve been pretty good about drinking water ever since college. I’d drink about 2-3 liters a day, but this year I wanted to up that intake. I ended up trying to go for 4 liters, which would make over a gallon. I had a good stretch of drinking a gallon a day, but these past couple of weeks I’ve only had 3 liters a day, which is still pretty good if I do say so myself! Water is one of my top drinks of choice, and I really can’t live without it! It’s what I crave, and I feel like it helps my digestion a lot, especially in the morning. I can’t say I’ve ever noticed physical changes from drinking a lot water, maybe my skin feels more hydrated, but I definitely think it makes me feel better throughout the day.
#3 Incorporating Yoga
Prior to this year, I didn’t really focus on doing yoga workouts that much. I’d do it here and there, but never consistently. So this year, when we were all staying at home, I did a 30 day yoga challenge, and it instilled in me a new appreciation for the yoga practice. It made me feel more flexible, and I thought it made my digestion better too. I feel like I have slacked off a lot in regards to doing yoga more often since then, and I need to get back into doing it because it had so many amazing benefits when I would do it everyday!
#4 Protein Consumption
One thing I realized in my diet this past year is that I wasn’t getting enough protein. I’d get around 80-100 grams (and still do if I’m honest), and I should be getting around 115 to 125 grams. Protein is definitely something I’m more focused on this year because helps repair your muscles after workouts. I’ve found that it also helps me stay fuller for longer. It’s easy for me to drink protein shakes after I workout, but I’m still working on getting more protein throughout the entire day.
#5 Not Weighing Myself, and Not Tracking My Calories
I’ve done whole posts on not weighing myself and not tracking my calories, and I think these are both changes that have made me feel better mentally this year. I’m not focusing on numbers anymore, and it’s been a freeing experience! I’m focusing more so on how I feel and being really in tune with my body, and not seeing a number associated with that has been great. When I did weigh myself, I told myself that I didn’t care what the scale said, but deep down I did and was disappointed when it never moved. When I tracked calories, I started seeing food as numbers instead of seeing food as nourishment for my body. I do admit that I miss the ability to track my protein and sugar intake, so maybe down the line I’ll track again, but as of right now, I’m good!
#6 Doing a New Workout Routine Altogether
I know I had just mentioned I was doing more quality over quantity of workouts this year, and while that’s true, I needed to spice up my fitness routine. Like I mentioned, I’ve been slumping, and I haven’t been as devoted to working out. I decided that now was the time to switch things up and actually follow a workout program instead of writing out my own everyday. I’ve mentioned Natacha Océane before, and I decided to get her workout program Cut. I’m one week in, and while it is a little different than I’m used to, I’ve been really enjoying it so far! I like not having to think and write out a session. I think once I’m finished with the 10 week program I’ll do a blog post all about it, but one week in and I’m already feeling stronger.
Last year, I felt bloated all the time and really uncomfortable day in and day out. I was so confused because I thought I was doing everything right, but I saw no changes. I feel a lot better this year, and while I can’t attribute that to one specific thing, I really do think it’s all these changes added up together that have made me not feel as gross as what I did last year. It’s not about the end result, but about the journey, and that’s what I constantly have to remind myself! Thanks for stopping by today, I hope it inspires you to make some healthy changes!