From my own experience, I know that it can be difficult to find a workout routine that you love and get excited about. As an athlete growing up, it was easy to have a schedule for practices, games, and lifts. As I started college though, leaving sports behind, I had to start again. This was a challenge for me because I would get tired of doing one thing, lifting weights for example, then I became stuck constantly searching for something different. I honestly was thinking too much about it and not focusing on why I loved to exercise and was passionate about it in the first place. Why do I love it? The reasons, aside from toning my body and maintaining muscle, are that I am my happiest in all other areas of my life when I am working out or doing some sort of movement daily. It does so much for my mental health being able to have something to look forward to and often feel so good afterwards.
Being able to remember these reasons, it became easier for me to create a routine to feel my best. This routine of mine will often change depending on how I am feeling and how my goals for my body may change. My current routine though, that began at the beginning of this past summer and have taken me into my senior year is my favorite. I am primarily working on bodyweight exercises and light strength training. This includes lots of yoga, pilates, walks, barre, and at least once a week lifting heavy weights to maintain muscle. As you can see, your routine does not have to be boring, you are allowed to mix it up and still see benefits, even more so as you are training all areas of your body. I know that fitness goals look different for everybody, but if you are looking for something new, here are a few of my favorites right now!Â
Pilates
If you know me well, you likely know that I love pilates and often talk about it too much. Sorry, not sorry, I won’t ever stop spreading the news and my experience. Pilates is a sequence of exercises that focuses heavily on core strength and stability. These slower movements work on smaller muscle groups in your body to tone and tighten. According to Very Well Health, “The flow through the movements is seamless, requiring concentration, control, and breath work.” The reason I love pilates so much is first because of the amazing benefits I have seen in my core and other muscles that allow me to see more definition in those smaller muscles. Secondly, the workouts are never boring, and I always have fun during them. I use the app and website Form, that offers many different videos ranging from full body to targeting specific areas of the body. I also would just recommend YouTube, as there are so many free videos to try!Â
YogaÂ
Namaste! I began taking yoga classes two days a week this past summer, and I am never going back. I am currently very fixated on practicing yoga and learning more about this amazing mind-body connection form of exercise. Starting was a bit of a challenge for me and quite humbling, but with practice it becomes so rewarding. There are so many studios to try, often offering new client deals just to dip your toe in and see how you like it. Again, there are also many YouTube channels that offer free videos to try. I love Bare Female on YouTube, and I also try out new studios when I am not home to use my favorite.Â
WalkingÂ
When I am not feeling a full on sweat or long workout video, I often just put on my sneakers and go for a walk. Yes, I absolutely consider walking a workout! Whether it is outside or on the treadmill, I love walking to take my mind of things and get some movement in. I sometimes incorporate some interval running if I am feeling it, which has been something I turn to recently when I am not feeling like deciding on what to do. This is so easy to do and makes me feel so good mentally and physically! So when it doubt, just walk it out.Â