When Exercise Slumps Happen To Good People

What?

What are you saying, Joline?

You've hit an exercise SLUMP????

So I return from vacation 10 days ago completely fired up.  I had just experienced my very first vacation where I actually exercised every day.

I returned home realizing that in just about two weeks time, I would be on route to Chicago for a short trip, and then, boom, school starts.

I panicked.

First day home from vacation:  I slept and watched TV.
Second day back:  worked out
Third day back:  worked out.  twice.
Fourth through Ninth day back:  nada.  zip.  no way.  just. can't. muster. it. up. (Count 'em.  That's 6 days, people!)
Today:  led my Fit Club through Body Gospel AND LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

I miss working out.

Yes, you heard me.

I miss working out like I miss having a good book to read.  GAH!  Did I just type that?

And yet, I had to get the state of this house set before leaving for Chicago, and unfortunately, exercise took the brunt of it.  Sorry, friend.

But, after tonight?  After sweating it out with 14 other women in my church's basement?  I feel like I'm back again.  What a rush.  What an odor . . . yeah, we really brought it.

My last exercise slump lasted from, oh, November to April, so this one . . . 6 days, wasn't so bad.

Much better rebound.

Oh, Turbofire.  Oh, Chalene.  Did you miss me????

See you in the morning.

Regular Exercise: It IS Beneficial

I'm a regular reader over at The Happiness Project, and boldly think you should be also.

So, how glad was I to read this yesterday???

Exercise is beneficial.  Stop kidding yourself that you don't need it.

Really, how long are you going to play that game?

It has nothing to do with whether you have a gym membership, or haven't worked out in years, or smoke, or have a crazy work schedule, or have knee problems, or feel fatigued, or don't know how to start, or have back problems, or have young children, or work from home, or can not exercise to a DVD.  Make a list of your excuses.  Now read them back to yourself.  Out loud.

And then, let's just cut to the chase.

You either want to exercise or you don't.  You either see the benefits, or don't.

It's really simpler than we make it out to be.  Of course, there will need to be adjustments for all seasons of life, injuries, work schedules, etc.  So, let's make them.  Together.

There are benefits to regular exercise.  Want them?

Join me.

What is holding you back from starting?  How can I help you kick that excuse to the curb?

A Former Child Star and a Former HS Athlete Walk Into a Room . . .

How many times have you heard someone utter this statement, excuse.

"Well, I was a big athlete in high school.  So I know the drill."

I recently witnessed my husband making this statement.  And it's true.  He was a huge athlete in High School.  Just as he was a strong athlete, I was a working actor in my teen years.  Paid.  Both of us experienced success back in the day.

But we are no longer 18.

Now in his 40's, George can no longer follow the same exercise and fitness training regiment that he did at 18.  Similarly, I learned, the hard way, while working as an actor in my 20's and 30's that no one really cared that I played Dorothy in Oz at a children's theater back in Virginia or that I as a child I had been nominated for an award at a theater in Old Town Alexandria.  And I most certainly couldn't approach auditions the same way I did as a child actor either.  How embarrassing would that be?  Time to grow up.

So I was running a 5K yesterday and my mind started to wander.  As I was Gallowaying my 3:1 intervals I had a thought.  Brilliant?  Eh.  Nasty?  Yeah.  Somewhat.

There isn't much of a difference between a middle-aged, out of shape former high school athlete and a washed up former child star.   Both are stuck living off of past laurels.

However, when one looks at former child stars who have actually disappeared for a time only to resurface after having DONE THE WORK and TRAINING to get back in the game, it reminds me of someone like myself who never thought I could regain the level of health and fitness that I had in my 20's.  Come on.  I'm 40.  Plus one.

Example.  Jason Bateman (meow) had some rough years after his teenage TV career took a dive.  From Entertainment Weekly: Bateman admits to some lost years in the '90s, but his persistence paid off (Arrested Development, Juno). ''I want to be around for a long time,'' he told EW in 2007. ''Now that I've got another flash of relevancy, I don't want to screw it up.'' 

You think my secret Hollywood boyfriend didn't have to make some changes to step back into the spotlight?  You think he approached his craft the same way he did as a child actor?  Um, think again.  He had to grow up.

I feel like a broken record.  You want change?  You can not do the same thing that you have always done or rely upon what worked when you were 18.

If anything, you will have to work HARDER to reach those fitness goals because our bodies are, well, getting older and are thus slower at metabolizing and building muscle, and all that scientific stuff.

Thus, you need a workout that will really jump start the process.  Time to go back to school.

ChaLEAN Extreme was the magic bullet for me.  And by magic, I mean, it worked.  And by bullet, I mean, it just about killed me on some days.

Persistence.  The word doesn't describe sticking with the same old plan.  You may need to change directions to keep going.  It's time to try something new.  Something that may even be uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

Evolve.

Or continue talking about those glory years.  'Cause that's all it is.  Talk.

From the horse's mouth, folks.  I no longer talk or act like I'm in shape.

I am.  And I continue to educate and learn more as to how to keep my temple kickin'.