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We Love our Workouts Until We Don't

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My body has gone through both weight loss and weight gains throughout my life. My body has changed again in 2020-2021. I really want to mention that what I’m about to tell you is not an excuse. As personal trainers, we always think our clients telling us that life is getting in the way of their progress is their way of making excuses not to do the work. I used to believe, like my peers, that it was an excuse until it happened to me.

When I lived in NYC I was constantly moving whether it was rushing to a client’s apartment or doing errands. Plus, I had my weekly gym workouts that I loved.  When lockdown happened, that all stopped!

Then, we decided the best thing for us was to leave the city. Both of our jobs had been hit hard by Covid-19 and we needed refuge. We came to Central Florida in January of 2021 and we’re still here. Getting in a car to go do the things I used to walk has taken a toll on my body. I went from being totally active living in the city to only leaving the house to go to the grocery store in a car. I’ve been depressed and honestly, I have not been consistent with my workouts. This is a pattern that’s been on a loop throughout my life. I’m choosing to see my changing body and my changing surroundings as a reset instead of a failure.

I am a visual and kinesthetic learner which means, not only do I need to hear it but I need to physically do something for it to sink in my brain.  The good news is I only gain knowledge and more empathy when I have challenging or difficult life experiences. I’m sure some of you will be able to relate to this. We love our workouts until we don’t. Even after almost fifty years of moving my body in some way, even being a fitness professional for over twenty years for goodness sake! I still fall into this pattern. You’d think I wouldn’t but I would be lying to you. Worse, I would be lying to myself and I refuse to do that ever again.

Now I have different ways of talking and treating myself. On days where the weight gain gets in my way. I tell myself this isn’t being done to me I’m not a victim, I have choices. I know that eating foods that make my body feel good and moving my body will also make me feel good. I also have to accept that I can’t do the same workout forever, my body needs to be challenged. There are so many factors when it comes to moving my body for the rest of my life and I need to listen to it!

In difficult situations, like Covid 19, motivating myself has been the biggest challenge. There have been days when I’m barely able to get through an entire workout and in Florida, it’s too damn hot to go outside! These are very real factors that I know you can understand. But where do I go from here? Do I give up or do I figure out what my body needs? I needed to recognize that my body needs to be challenged differently. I know I discussed in my book how much I loved my 4-day upper body/lower body workout, but it’s not working for me right now.  By experimenting, and some trial and error, I will find a new way to make my body feel good. It doesn’t mean that I can’t go back to that workout in the future but for now, I need to change it up. Here’s where listening to your body is key. When you don’t want to do something anymore try not to get angry or give up. Move your body in a different way, your mood, your energy, and your partner will be happier for it!

Author: Rachel Lavin
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