Each week I have a general idea of what and when my workouts will be; I make a plan, but it’s a very flexible plan. This is what I typically aim for:
Monday: Run (30-45 minutes)
Tuesday: Weights (30 minutes) + Walk (30 minutes)
Wednesday: Run (30 minutes, speed work)
Thursday: Weights (30 minutes) + Walk (30 minutes)
Friday: Long run
I can usually count on doing something active with Andrew Saturday or Sunday–hiking, taking a walk, biking, tennis, yard work, etc.– so I don’t plan a workout. If we end up doing nothing, that’s okay too.
What actually ends up happening most weeks? One of the runs turns into a walk because I’m tired, I hit the snooze button and only have time for weights on Thursday, my “long run” becomes a “not-so-long” run, etc. And again, that is okay. I think it’s important to have a plan, but also to allow yourself some grace. Discipline is great, but rigidity? Not so much.
I mentioned in my last post that we recently joined a gym. At first I was hesitant– if you can stay in great shape without paying for a gym membership each month, why would you pay? About a year ago I remember thinking, “If I never step on another Elliptical, that will be just fine.” However, so far we have thoroughly enjoyed our gym. While you certainly don’t need a gym to stay fit, it helps ward off boredom and eliminate the “it’s too cold outside” excuse to not exercise.
The gym has also changed my weekly workout plan. Here’s what this week looked like for me, in workouts:
Sunday: Elliptical trainer (35 minutes, with Andrew)
Monday: Yard work/hauling wood (youth group service project)
Tuesday: Walk (60 minutes, with my friend Kate)
(We walked to Maymont and got to see the goats… I. Love. Goats. I ask Andrew at least once a month if we can get one. So far he’s only been opposed to the idea.)
Wednesday: Cycle class (45 minutes, with little bro Ross)
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Treadmill run (40 minutes, intervals + warm-up/cool-down)
Saturday: Weights (I’m planning to, anyway…it’s only 8 a.m.)
Looking back I had lots of social workouts this week, which is rare for me, but I definitely enjoyed it. I’m also really feeling the group fitness classes at the gym–being surrounded by other people is good motivation not to cut a workout short!
Clearly my weekly exercise plan is changing with our gym membership. I am looking forward to shaking up my routine and trying new activities… though running is still my first (fitness) love. 🙂
Do you prefer to workout at a gym or at home/outside?
A Two Storey Home 
Great post! It is good to clarify discipline versus rigidity; I often struggle with that.
Also social workouts are a highly untapped source of fun in the work out world. Andrew and I both benefited from tons of it in intramural team sports through Wesley; which was probably one of the things I miss the most from VT. We had at times 4-6x game a week!
It took a while, but I’ve found a sand volleyball league, indoor and outdoor soccer here in Columbus. Now if I could only find some mountains out here…
Thanks, Travis! I’m glad you’ve found some good leagues. I know Andrew loves playing on his basketball team. Last summer we played pickup frisbee games with a group once or twice a week, and we were both in awesome shape. I agree that social workouts and “playing” are an untapped market, but I do think it’s growing, which is good. Wish I could help you with the mountains! How far do you have to drive to find them?