At my 6-week checkup, my doctor cleared me to start working out again. So I put on my cutest workout clothes (motivation, duh) and headed to the gym for the first time since morning sickness hit.
It. Was. Brutal.
Simply using the elliptical had me winded in an embarrassingly short amount of time. Weights I could easily lift a year ago had my arms shaking almost immediately. And my body hurt in places I didn't even know I had muscles.
There was no one else in the gym, so when I stepped off the treadmill, on the verge of tears after realizing just how far I had to go, I said out loud: It will get better. You just need to practice.
That's the cool thing (and also the sucky thing) about working out: You know that the more you do it, the better you get. I know that if I keep going to the gym, I will eventually be as strong as I was before, or maybe even stronger. I just have to practice.
And that made me think about everything else in my life that I want to be good at. How I want to be a happy person, a generous person, a thankful person. And how there's no shortcut to those things, either. You just have to practice them.
If I want to be a happy person, I have to actually work on it. I have to choose to be happy. If I want to be a thankful person, I have to work on being thankful every day. It doesn't just happen. It takes practice.
I went to the gym yesterday, and it was way easier than it was three weeks ago. It'll be easier next week, too. It's still not the easiest thing, but if I keep practicing, maybe one day it will feel easy again.
Being happy after some jerk cuts me off in traffic and causes me to spill my coffee everywhere isn't the easiest thing, but if I practice it, maybe one day it will be.
What are you practicing lately?
I am not very good at working out- I've never been good at it. Yesterday was super nice and I decided it was a good day for a jog, so I took the bigger dog and we went just less than a mile. It was really tiring, but I'm really glad we did it :) We just need to practice a little more and increase our distance!
ReplyDeletelove this post, it is so true! Practice truly does make perfect. I am in a similar situation as you are, I haven't been to the gym in the longest time and am working my way towards the stamina I used to have! x, kenz http://sincerelykenz.com
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain! Lol. Just had my second baby and i distinctly remember how I felt during my first run post baby. It was like my body wasn't my own! Haha. But you are right--it does get better!
ReplyDeletedude, as much as I wanted to work out all of the days after I was cleared with Amelia, I found that my energy levels with nursing just made it SO HARD. I managed to do it every so often, but it wasn't til I was done nursing that I could do anything for real, you know. so just the fact that you're starting and digging in...you're a rockstar!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I hate working out. I totally feel your pain. I actually belong to and pay for a gym that I have not gone to since September! I just hate and dont want to go! Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteI'm also practicing on getting back into a workout routine! It's definitely tough, but I'm doing my best!
ReplyDeleteMan oh man. I hate working out. I know I need to start going but I just hate it. So I give you major props for going this morning. And I think you're right, if you just keep at it you'll be back to your old gym self in no time! :) Keep it up girlie! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE this!! it took me a while to get back into working out and I still am not where I want to be (and I still hate doing it) but it's gotten easier and I've gotten stronger... and it's with those strong arms I can lift my beautiful babies!!
ReplyDeleteSimply Shaunacey
Great message. I worked out twice last week and it felt great. I haven't excercised in a very long time and I absolutely loved how good I felt...I'm working on that. And being less stressed out and enjoying life more!
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude! It's all about perseverance. You'll get there soon. It comes back faster than you think!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful comparison..I need to work on happiness.
ReplyDeleteI'm practicing being more patient with my demanding, always-must-argue-about-EVERYTHING four year old. Deep breaths. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove the meaning of this!
ReplyDeletemoremindfulyou.blogspot.com
Needed this today.
ReplyDeleteI've been working on getting back in shape too, especially running. Consistency is key to any practice. It only gets easier if you keep doing it!
ReplyDeleteI love how you write :) Always motivating me and/or making me think about things! Practice DOES make perfect and I know that's the only way to get better at anything in life.
ReplyDeleteHeading back to the gyms can be soooo hard! Hey, at least you're there, doing your thaaang and you look adorable. Those two combined totally count for something! ;) Thanks for stopping by my itty bitty blog! You rock, girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! Things do take work and the more you do, the better and easier it gets! Always can count on an inspiring post from you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh girlfriend, I feel you! It was R-O-U-G-H getting back at it after I had both of my babes. Hang in there because it will get easier and you'll be back to feeling like your fabulous self in no time! Especially since you have such a positive attitude!
Lindsay
Lindsay's Sweet World
Practice really well make perfect! It always amazes me how much I can feel out of shape after just a few days of not working out, I can't even imagine months!
ReplyDeleteI saw this mug today and thought of your dog...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/257427348/personalized-mug-cup-designed-pinkmugny?ref=related-6
So true, the more I do something - the easier (generally) it gets! I haven't been able to get my butt in gear to go to the gym (or even exercise) regularly in months, and it's been rough on me physically and mentally to NOT workout, so I hope you start feeling all of the great benefits soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true, and I am terrible at working out but I keep pushing myself because I know that the more I do the easier it will be! I think the thing that helps me most is being able to see small changes, like being able to go up and down stairs fast without breathing as hard as before! ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how tough it is going to be. Being a former college athlete, I am used to having tons of muscle and this pregnancy has brought me to reality. I can't wait to get back into the gym, but I know it is going to take a LONG time! It took 9 months to lose it all, so I expect it will take that long (or longer!) to gain it all back. You are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI can remember the first week I worked out after having my first I did Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, and I seriously thought I was going to die. Thankfully, the weight started coming off quickly which was very motivating, but even moreso I started to see my strength increase which was awesome! It definitely does get easier with each day and week as you progress. Don't give up, you've got this! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible at working out! It's especially tough once you've been out of the game for awhile. I'm sure you'll be back to your old workout ways in no time!
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