"Lower the bar. Actually spending ten minutes clearing off one shelf is better than fantasizing about spending a weekend cleaning out the basement." — Gretchen Rubin
Earlier this week I received the following question from a woman online, "Is it more beneficial to have a strict set routine for a month and then progress it? Or can I get the same results doing different movements each time I work out? I’m getting bored having a set routine so I would like to switch it up weekly but don’t know if that will hinder my progress. I want to get stronger but I feel like my motivation is dwindling. I know I won’t always feel like working out but right now my boredom of the same routine is winning so I just end up walking the dog instead." And I replied with the response that no one loves hearing (especially online, since it isn't polarizing)...which is,
It depends. 🤷♀️
Now, if your goal is to deadlift 300lbs by the end of year, then yes...it would be best to follow a structured training plan. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that's not what you're working towards... Most likely, you want to include exercise as a regular part of your routine so that, You have more energy You are in a better mood, more often You sleep better You have less pain You think more clearly You like what you see in the mirror a little bit more And if so, then a structured training plan isn't really necessary most of the time. To all my fitpro friends, #sorrynotsorry The belief that you NEED to have a perfectly laid out plan comes from a combination of marketing and sports science. Do personal trainers want you to think that you NEED their expertise in order to get fit...? 1000% Yes. Do professional athletes NEED to have a well thought out training plan...? 1000% Yes. But you (most likely) aren't a professional athlete. And, I'm not trying to sell you personal training. What I am doing is giving you PERMISSION to not "follow the rules" all the time, Reminding you to not get so hung up on trying to do what's "best" that you completely disregard the option of doing what's "good enough". And encouraging you to choose an approach that is in alignment with YOUR goals and needs in this very moment. In this woman's case, her goal right now is simply to make strength training a more consistent part of her routine. And the thing that's been getting in the way is the belief that if it doesn't look like "X", then it's not worth doing at all. By letting go of this idea that she "should" follow a strict plan, she's also overcoming her biggest obstacle. And you know what overcoming obstacles does for your sense of confidence and accomplishment, right? Imagine what will happen when she lets herself train in whatever way she feels like for a few weeks... How enjoyable that will be. How empowering that will be. Hmm... You think it might just lead to her exercising more often...? Towards increased motivation...? Towards confidence in setting more uncomfortable goals...? 🤔 So if you are facing some resistance towards doing something right now because you think you HAVE TO do it a certain way,
Give yourself permission to let go of that belief.
And let yourself explore the option of doing it in a way that feels "good enough" for right now.
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