Ya know when you do something differently that’s out of your “norm”, and then the next day you kinda don’t get back to your “norm”, and then it’s been a week and now you have a new “norm”?  Well that’s what happened to me. I was in the process of packing and moving and so, my fitness regime took a back seat. I had switched my gym schedule to nights prior to the move so, that time became designated to packing. I could have woken up earlier in the morning before work to get a workout in but, I didn’t. This led to me taking almost two months off from the gym, 7 weeks I believe. I didn’t miss going to the gym, at all. I knew eventually I would ease my way back in, I just had no intentions on doing it anytime soon, hence my 7 week hiatus. However, my eating habits remained the same;meal prep Sundays, clean eating. I maintained my weight and kept my muscle mainly due to, moving boxes and spending time unpacking. I actually ate less for a short, very short period of time!

As of two weeks ago I returned back to my regularly scheduled program. Meaning, 6 days a week, not just one or two days which, I did do a couple times throughout my hiatus, but I’m not counting those. The time I took off from the gym happened to be well needed, sometimes we need to hit the restart button. I gave my body a break from spinning, lifting, pilates, running, and yoga. Days weren’t revolving around fitness classes and budgeting time to fit in a workout . So, I returned to my temple of fitness, picked up some dumbbells and got right back at it. Before my time away from the gym I had gotten in the habit of getting my workout in during fitness classes, solely. A habit I needed to steer away from and get back to training myself. Don’t get me wrong, fitness classes kept me fit but, I needed that one on one time for myself, just me and the dumbbells all alone. I’ve designated Mon, Tues and Wed to Group Fitness Classes, and the remainder of the week I work solo. Weights, Sauna, and Stairs, Oh My.

Did I miss the gym? Not really. Did I beat myself up about not going? Not really? Did I enjoy being out of the gym? Absolutely. I think people start to develop this funk when they are away from the gym, people can tend to become depressed and then feed on that negative energy. You just have to keep telling yourself that you’re going to go back, you WILL be back. Make it a mantra , and who knows, tomorrow might be that day where you set your alarm for 5 a.m. and climb 42 flights of stairs on the StairMaster. I’m here to tell you, It’s ok to take time off! It’s like vacation time that you take off from work, yeah you may feel bad about taking time off, or worry about work piling up, but taking time off is encouraged. You are more productive after a master reset, it’s a fact! So, don’t sweat not sweating, even if it’s been 7 weeks.

Dumbbells up!

See, Still got my muscles!