I feel a huge sense of accomplishment. It’s not like I haven’t done this before, but it has been a while. I completed a 30 day strength training program while working out five days a week. No big deal, right? Well, for me it is, because I know I have not been diligent about my strength training routine this year. Ever since a little past my 46th birthday, things changed. There was a lack of motivation and sense of urgency to get it done.
Perimenopause has hit me hard. Many of you are in the same boat as I am, especially when it comes to strength training during perimenopause. While I have been walking a lot (which I do not take for granted) I know I need to do more. Some days getting out of bed can be difficult, so trying to motivate myself to pick up some weights isn't easy either. To be honest, I almost do not know how this past month of working out happened, but I want to offer a few suggestions that helped me a bit.
When I decided to focus on completing my first five day week of the month, I knew strength training had to be the priority. Now, most of you know I do a lot of walking. It has actually been my preferred exercise for the past year, and while I know the benefits are excellent, I also know having muscle on my body is necessary. Over the past year, most of my focus was getting up and heading outside for a walk. I had to change my focus and make strength training the priority for the week. This meant I had to be prepared if the walk did not happen, and tell myself it was ok. Since our weather is changing, and it's cooler in the mornings, I know this helped me focus a lot more. Once that first week was complete, I was ready to take on the next.
Having a plan was necessary. This may sound so trivial, but something as simple as laying my workout gear out the night before made things easier for me. I set my intentions, so when I got up and saw those clothes, I knew what I had to do. The same went for my workout routine. I chose the plan I intended to follow for the month, and each evening I would go over it, so I understood the moves and knew exactly what I was doing the next day. It is simple tasks like these that help us set ourselves up for success.
Lastly, another thing that helps but it is the hardest piece of the perimenopause puzzle for me right now, is getting a good nights rest. Perimenopause is kicking my tail in the sleep department at the moment. Some nights are better than others, and I know this affects my motivation to workout the next day when my sleep is bad. I have implemented a few things to help and I am still taking suggestions. If sleep is not an issue for you, then absolutely make sure you get the rest you need to be able to give your all in your workout because it truly makes a difference. I am still working on that part, but I do know it is beneficial to my getting a workout in on a daily basis.
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I am incredibly happy about the completion of the 30 days of strength training, and I have already launched into a new program that has been good so far. I am trying to stay focused and not overwhelm myself because I understand this phase of life is a journey, and gentleness and grace with myself and my body are necessary. For right now, I will continue to make my work out a priority, set my intentions and be prepared, and keep working on getting a good nights sleep. Hopefully, these simple suggestions will help those of you who are struggling like me. In the end, I need you to remember we are running a marathon right now and not a sprint, and I believe we will all cross that finish line successfully. What has been affecting your ability to strength train consistently?
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