Summer has announced its presence here in St. Petersburg, Florida and draped a thick blanket of humidity over everyone and everything, making it, well, grueling to run outdoors. It looks like my options are to embrace heat exhaustion, grow gills and live in the water, or move my workouts indoors for a while. For someone who loves to be outside, this can be tough. As I move my plan to the gym, it’s tempting to lose sight of my goals, so I’ve been thinking about what will help me stick to my plan. Here are some things that help me stay committed:
• Mix it up. Variety is the key for me. I’m combining interval runs, endurance runs, Pilates, stability ball workouts and strength training with activities like biking and hiking, so I’m not in the gym all the time.
• Get in and out of the gym fast. Let’s face it, after a day at work, anything over an hour is an eternity to spend in a gym. I’ve found that on days I want to strength train and run, it’s great to break it up and do strength training at lunch and cardio after work.
• Buy some new duds. It takes a lot to make me spend money, but investing in new clothes motivates me—plus, having the right tech gear is worth it. I’ve really enjoyed the Brooks EZ T ($28) (it looks like your favorite cotton T, but works like running shirt) and the versatility of my new Moving Comfort Endurance Skort ($36).
• Put it on paper. Since I want to minimize my time in the gym, I have to up the ante every time; otherwise I’m wasting my time. If I run intervals on the treadmill, I write down my speed and how long I can sustain them so I can try to go longer—or faster—next time. Plus, I make sure I’m exercising at 60 to 80 percent of my target heart rate. To find out how to calculate your target heart rate, visit active.com.
• Eat like it’s my job. Okay, admittedly, this is not tough for me. What I’ve found is that small low-calorie snacks spread throughout the day keep my energy levels up so I don’t miss a workout, but I never feel too full to exercise.
Even if you’re not living in a sauna, weather is bound to force you inside at some point. What are your techniques for sticking with your training plan when you exercise in the gym? What keeps you motivated? I’d love to hear from you.--Jeana Durst
Comments