Do you plan what type you will do on that day, or do you plan down to the T?
For example, I do DVDs. I have all my DVDs planned out for a month. I feel like I'm too structured; like I have to stick with my plan and it feels unenjoyable to me. I'd like to be able just to pop in a cardio DVD on my cardio day, but I am such a planner that I feel like I have to plan the exact DVD. I have OCD and so I'm trying to learn how to be less structured and have more fun.
I just do what feels right that day. I can't imagine planning all my exercise for the month.
For a long stretch I was just doing yoga. Then I started hiking on weekends. Then my weekends were full of helping my dad pack and clean so I remembered my bike and have been riding. Then a friend turned me on to zumba so I've been zumbaing, too.
Now that my weekends are mine again, I may hike more, or maybe go visit different yoga studios.
I'll probably bike in the morning, so I'll set out my bike clothes and put a water bottle in the fridge to make it easier.
i have this huge calander on my wall next to my treadmill and on each day whatever i do that causes me to break a sweat i write in. then i take a look at what habits im incorporating into my life and what areas i need to work on.
I also feels like it keeps me accountable for my activity.
When I'm not on a "training" plan where my activity has been dictated to me by someone other then myself I like to just play it by ear... in my case mixing up and playing by what my body feels like doing that day.
This fall though I'm going to try a more structured plan to work on my base fitness level. I figure winging it won't be a good idea if I plan to do the events I want to do next summer. I will probably mix it up a bit with DVDs though.
I do strength training and cardio for my workouts and I also walk during my lunch time. I do have a plan I follow and am trying hard to stick to it. This is something I want to continue for the rest of my life so I try to think in those terms. For now, I'm following Jillian's routine for strength training 5 days/week, walk 30 mins 5 days/week and I run 6 days/week. It's pretty structured in a way. I don't know about you but I hate to exercise, therefore, having a structured plan helps me to stay focused.
I always plan out my workouts, especially strength training. If I go into the gym without a plan (not just for that day but for my overall training goal) then I end up just wasting my time.
I'm a bit more flexible on the cardio front and will change things up depending on how tired or energetic I am that day. If I don't feel completely exhausted from weight training a day before then I may do some HIIT. If I think I need more recovery then I may do some light cardio and stretching.
I put in my iCal calendar the times that I will exercise. I know that I do certain things on certain days (pilates and cardio M/W/SA and boot camp T/T/F) but since those are classes, I never know what I will be actually doing since someone else teaches/plans them. When boot camp is over, I will return to the gym at those times and plan my workouts accordingly. I am also planning on trying PX90 in the winter so I will also know what DVDs I am doing on which days.
I used to plan, but I've decided to mix things up. I don't decide what to do until I get ready to exercise. I'll be starting a exercise regime later in the month, so I think this is good for now.
I have general guidelines that I stick to (i.e. Weight training 2x a week, cardio 3+ times a week) and within those guidelines I try to have fun and do things I like. I work out at the gym and am able to mix things up with machines, weight training classes, dance classes, and aerobics, etc.
my plan for the gym is done by a personal trainer so thats for a month at a time, but everything outside of that is whatever i feel like doing. a walk on the beach with my 2 year old, running up and down the stairs if i'm too busy to get out, a quick jog around the block, whatever as long as i'm moving.
but i feel safe having my outside gym activity so unplanned because i know the gym is structured. i feel that if i'm left to my own devices i'll do it all wrong!
while excercise should be fun, if you are the type to be organised theres nothing wrong with that. maybe you could try having a list of 3 or 4 to choose from in a particular day? that way while its still planned, it gives a bit of flexability.
When you plan your exercise
