Lockdown gave me the opportunity to experiment and try new routines. One of them was to work out every day for sixty days straight.
Pre-lockdown I usually did exercise twice or three times a week. This means I was active a little bit.
However, once lockdown started things changed a lot. I fell down into an unhealthy routine.
Day in day out I stood up from my computer and I went to the fridge to find something to eat. I desperately also looked for some sweet bread slices to eat whilst I drank my cup of coffee. I did this three or four times a day.
As an expected result of that, I started to gain more pounds. In the beginning, I didn’t realize it.
I had gained more weight than before. New pounds were part of me. So I quickly thought “If I want to take care of my son and family, first I need to take care of myself”
Consequently, I decided to find the best time to work out to improve and feel better both physically and mentally.
1. Find a routine that fits you best
There is a bunch of advice self-help proclaimed gurus advise you.
When it comes to sticking to a routine what really matters is if that fits with your unique case and circumstances.
At the beginning of lockdown after I finished my 9–7 shift I used to play and danced with my three-year-old son. This was just a way to escape from tiredness and stress after a busy day.
This didn’t mean a workout session.
My son liked to dance a lot in the evening. However, after some time he didn’t feel like it and he didn’t want to do it anymore. He preferred to play another game but less dancing or walking.
In spite of that, I had to exercise, though. Therefore I started to think about when would be the best time to do it.
After thinking and planning a little bit I decided to work out in the morning. It was the only option I have because of my shift from 9–7 pm. I needed to take advantage while my wife and son were still in bed.
2. Find an inspirational morning routine
In the same regard as the above point, once you find an inspirational and motivational morning routine, nothing can stop you.
I don’t know why I woke up late before lockdown. I don’t know why I wasted my precious time staying in bed.
At the time, I hadn’t enough clarity and commitment to my plans and goals. I wanted to do things but always laziness or procrastination won that race.
Now all of that doesn’t matter. On April 27 I bet on myself. I changed my own story. I committed to starting a new morning routine.
Part of that powerful morning routine included a 30–45-minute workout session every single day. Regardless of whether it is Monday, Friday, or weekend.
3. Stop complaining. Stop using excuses, start doing
Everyone will complain that they don’t have the right equipment to make a full workout session. I did too. I put excuses every time I could.
On top of that, we also complain about the space conditions since we probably have reduced spaces in our houses. The real problem is not on that side but in you.
Hence, what I learned of this process was the fact that we have all we need, and this is at home already. What is missing is your commitment and the right mindset.
All equipment I needed
- I turned my 30mt2 house into a running park.
- I turned 2.5-gallon jugs water into dumbbells.
- I dusted off an old elliptical cross trainer machine.
- I changed my mind.
The workout session
Once I ensure I have all resources at home and the right state of mind I can easily start the workout session day in day out.
I run in and out throughout the kitchen, the rooms, and the small living room. Whilst I do this, sometimes I come across my wife and she says “You are crazy love” while she smiles.
One day, in the middle of this journey, my son and I were playing hide-and-seek and suddenly he found an old elliptical cross trainer machine.
That was great. Just after I found it I thought, this will help me with my new routine. So I dusted it off to get it ready for the next day.
Since then, I have used it to run. Since it’s less noisy than running throughout my house. Usually, my wife and son still are sleeping at the time therefore, running on this machine is a better option.
After running for 20 minutes I have warmed up enough so the next step is weight lifting. I turned 2.5-gallon jugs water into dumbbells. I don’t want to spend money on something I don’t need, I have all I need at home, dude!.
Provided by the author
I like to continue creating emotions by lifting weight for another 10 minutes. I do six sets of 20 repetitions.
4. Overcome the struggles in the mid of the war
I guess that because I had been a little bit active a few years back the first days were really easy to keep going. I felt inspired and motivated.
Nevertheless, in the middle of this journey from around days 20 and 30, I started out to feel I was falling down.
A few things started to happen. Some of them were out of my control and others I over my control.
Firstly, I got sick on the weekend. I couldn’t work out. There was a little voice claiming and encouraging me to complete that mission — the workout. However, I couldn’t and shouldn’t. I needed to get enough rest to recover completely.
The second battle was on day 30. I didn’t feel like it. I was so tired, exhausted completely due to the last night I went to bed too late. I felt guilty and sad.
I had broken my promise. I had broken my progress. I had broken my commitment. I thought I shouldn’t move forward on it since I had failed that day and nothing will be the same after it.
Here is when things become powerful. We don’t need to focus on this small failure. That is nothing if you look back to see how much you’ve moved forward.
One failure or two against 29 successes is enough reason to keep crushing it.
Finally, I convinced myself that fact really didn’t matter. I decided to identify those inner and outer blockers to be one step ahead instead.
5. Muscles or weight loss don’t matter
I am not worried about gaining muscles. I just want to feel good creating emotions by doing exercise.
Takeaways
Definitely, the lockdown gave me new chances to experiment. To try out different routines and techniques.
Working out every day for 60 days taught me the powerful lesson of being conscious that sometimes you will fail and you may break your promise due to things that are out of your control. Getting sick is not something you expect. isn’t it?
I built a habit
I was able to build a habit. I wake up at 5 am in autopilot mode. I don’t longer need the fuc**** alarm anymore. I workout not under force, it’s like a habit now.
Muscles don’t matter
I am not worried about gaining muscles. I just want to feel good creating emotions by doing exercise.
A routine that works
I’ve found that this routine works at least for me. I feel more energized and ready to tackle every single thing that comes up during the day.
I found clarity
The last and the most important one. I found more clarity through this process about my life, my passions, the things I enjoy the most, and the kind of port where I want to dock my ship.
Experimenting is the the fastest way to find out what your mission is in this world. —Author
Thanks for reading!