I am a high school teacher writing this post during the evening after my second day back to school. I was sitting down to unwind and journal a little this evening and thought that figuring out how to stay fit during a time of transition might be a really great topic for a post. The reason is because it’s really freakin’ hard to stay fit in a time of change and I’m wondering if there are a lot of people out there who struggle with this as I am right now! So here you go. Just a little post about fitness during a time of transitions.
The Whirlwind of Teaching
As I reflect on the whirlwind that was the first two days of a new school year, here are some numbers. I have 3 preps, meaning the number of different topics I teach. I welcomed about 160 students into my classroom over 2 days. 4 of my classes are Principles of Health Science and each have about 30 students. My other 2 classes are Certified Personal Trainer and Kinesiology, and they each have about 20 students.
I get there to open my classroom at 8 am and leave at 4:15. Each of my classes lasts 90 minutes and I teach 3 a day and with a 90 minute break and a 30 minute lunch. I leave my house at 7:40 and get home around 5:30 after I pick up 4 kids (1 of my own + 3 friends) from middle school. So basically between 7:40-5:30, that 10 hour block of time – there is absolutely zero chance to workout.
I Don’t / Won’t Work Out After Work
And after work is NOT AN OPTION for me personally. My brain and body are fried after 8+ hours of teaching. I know some people can work out after work but that’s just not me. I will mentally kick and scream and make every excuse possible not to workout after work. So knowing that about myself, I know I HAVE TO GET UP EARLY and do it before work. That’s the only choice I have.
Find What Works For You
So that’s tip number 1. You have to find what works for you. Pick a time to focus on that takes away as many excuses as possible. If I had set my schedule up around trying to get to the gym 3 times a week after work, I would be doomed. I will literally make up new reasons not to go on the way home, like my feet hurt after wearing these dumb shoes all day or needing to get gas even though my tank is half full. So mornings it is for me! Do I love getting up an hour earlier than “I have to?” Hell no. I do it though because I believe working out is something I definitely have to do.
Treat Your Workouts Like a HAVE TO
Tip number 2 is treat your workouts like a “have to.” Working out ranks right up there with brushing teeth, getting to work on time, and getting the kids to practice. This is important especially in a time of transition. You can also look at in a more positive way. During a time of transition can be the BEST time to add workouts to your schedule because everything’s changing anyways.
Set a Non-Negotiable Number of Days Per Week
Tip Number 3 is set a non-negotiable number of days per week that you will do something, anything that gets your body moving. A reasonable number that works for a lot of people and falls into recommendations is 3 or 4. That still gives you 4 or 3 off days! Find what works for you, then commit 1000% to sticking with that, week after week. If you have some weeks that you get more than your minimum, that’s awesome. But if you just focus week after week on hitting that minimum goal of 3, that will add up to really big wins in the long run.
Automate as Much as You Can in the PREP to Get to the Gym
Yeah I capitalized PREP. Here’s why. Doing some consistent prep work is tip number 4 because it’s the super glue that holds my workout consistency goals together every day, especially during crazy times of transition. It starts the night before. I pack my gym bag and make sure I have my things in there I need: my earbuds (charged), towel, bands, headband, lifting shoes. I put it by the door or in my trunk. I fill up my water bottle and stick it in the fridge. I grab what to wear and set it out.
So Many Fewer Excuses
Now when my alarm goes off at 5:40, I have so many fewer excuses. Plus I definitely believe that doing these actions alone the night before helps me set the tone for my mind like “I am going to workout in the morning,” so there is a lot less indecision when the alarm goes off. I already decided it was going to happen. So get up and go.
Summary
Staying fit is never easy anyways when you are busy and it’s even harder during times of transition. So do the best you can. Be graceful with yourself and believe you can embrace the time of transition as a time to reset your schedule and commit to a minimum number of workouts per week. Automate as many processes as you can to help decrease excuses. And above all, remember you are not alone. Fitness during a time of transition is something that is a challenge for many many people. Do the best you can to find what works for you!
