Flexibility

I am an inflexible person.

Physically, I can barely touch my toes.

Mentally, I hate change and unpredictability.

When I go to sleep at night, I like to know exactly what I’ll be doing the next day.

And if someone asks me to do something at the last minute, my instinct is to say no even if I would probably enjoy the activity.

There are benefits to being this way. I’m organized and good at planning ahead.

There are also downsides. If my plan is disrupted, I panic. And I’ve probably missed out on opportunities I should have taken.

These pros and cons apply to exercise as well.

I have a weekly plan for when I’m going to exercise, and I’m pretty good at sticking with it if nothing disrupts my day.

But if something comes up when I’m supposed to be working out, my brain doesn’t always let me develop an alternative plan. I’ll just skip my workout.

To fight this tendency, I’m trying to get better at adapting.

This means choosing a new workout time if my planned one is busy, or shortening my workout, or doing a low-barrier type of exercise, like walking, instead of a 60-minute strength session.

It takes a lot of conscious effort to make these changes, and I’m not always able to. But I’m working on it.

I imagine many of you will have schedule changes in the fall.

Your regular workout times might not work anymore, and you might want to put exercise aside for a couple weeks.

But if you can manage it, try to fit exercise in when you can. Maybe take a few minutes on Sunday to plan your week and figure out when you can do a strength session. Or take a walk at lunch if that’s all you can fit in that day.

Believe me, I know it’s hard, and I know some days will be a wash.

But every time you’re able to fit in a workout despite life getting in the way, it’s a win. 

And the more you adapt to unpredictable situations, the more second nature it will become to prioritize yourself when things get hectic.

(At least, that’s what I keep telling myself).