Master’s Hammer & Chisel Worksheets

The title of this post, “How To Pick A Workout Routine When You Haven’t Worked Out In Ages” is slightly deceiving.  This post isn’t so much a how-to, but more of a “please tell me how to do this thing” and a “this is what I randomly decided to do since I need to do something.”

You see… since residency started, my workouts ended.

Last year during my intern year, I was pretty good about going to the gym.  I kept up with at least 4-5 weekly workout days for a long time and I was happy with that.

I even had a brief stint of before Minnesota decided to get cold and dark.

But, for the past 6 months or more I’d say, I have had a really hard time working out consistently.  I have lots of great excuses, as we all do when we stop working out: residency is time consuming, I’m tired, I don’t like working out in the morning, I’m tired, the gym doesn’t have classes at the times I can go, I’m on call, I’m out of shape, I’m tired, I’m hungry, and probably a million more that I’ve used.

But, not working out consistently has made my 1-3 short weekly workouts that I actually do do, much harder, and much less fun.  When I’m not working out as much, it’s harder to convince myself to workout and it is easier to skip a workout or cut one short.

So often, I will just go for a quick 20-30 minute run on my treadmill so that at least I can say I did something.  And hey, it’s better than nothing!

Every once in a while, I will actually get the energy to go for a longer stint on the treadmill (40-50 minutes) or incorporate a youtube workout: my favorites are Tone it up, Fitness Blender, Blogilates, and Popsugar fitness.

My fitness history is pretty erratic.  When I first started the blog in medical school, I was working out a lot but still professed that I wasn’t a “

I went through a few phases of , but never really fell in love with the weight room.

I did a that I LOVED, but then I moved away from my studio in Indianapolis and I can’t seem to find a good hot yoga studio in Rochester (because there aren’t any…)

I have run which I also LOVED, but I’ve never run farther in a race and I’ve never run march farther than 8 miles total.

I really love working out when I get into a groove, but this year I have just been completely unable to get into any groove whatsoever.

So… I did something drastic…

Well, actually I did two things.  I committed to 2 different workout plans.

WHAT!? Me?? Committing to something?  If anyone has been reading this blog for a while, you probably know I both hate and suck at sticking to any kind of plan.  I just don’t like it.

But I did it.

So here it is.  Here are the 2 workout plans that I am COMMITTING TO. I promise.

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This is a 28 day program that is comprised of 28 minute high intensity pilates workouts.  I have always loved Blogilates and her fun energetic workouts, so when I saw Cassey’s new program, I knew I wanted to try it.  There is also a big emphasis on flexibility which I desperately need! The program costs $40 for the workouts only but you can also , which I didn’t get.  I will post a full review when I’ve tried it for a few days.

WHAT!?

Yep.  I signed up for the Rochester half marathon and I’m going to run it. Yes I am.

I think the mixture of daily 28 minute high intensity pilates workouts plus the flexibility training in PIIT 28 will really compliment a new running routine focused on steady state distance for 13 miles.  With the weather warming up slowly, I can’t wait to get out there and run more.  But, I might have to start my half marathon training on the treadmill if it snows again!

So stay tuned for running training plans, pilates sore muscles and increased flexibility.  Workouts, I’m coming for you!!!!!!!

I would LOVE all your tips and suggestions about running, keeping up workout motivation when you’re busy, and anything else.  What do you all think of my plan?  Can I do it!? Let’s hope so!!