This has been a pretty low key week as far as workouts go. Between lack of sleep and a busy workweek, I just haven’t had the energy to do as much as I would have liked.
I’ve recently switched to morning workouts because leaving them until after work meant I just didn’t go. My goal these days is 3-4 lifting workouts at the gym, 2 yoga sessions and a couple of walks per week. Most of my workouts take less than an hour, so I can fit them in before leaving for work at 8:15 without having to wake up at the crack of dawn. When I workout in the morning, I find I’m actually more energized throughout the day. And since I’m not going for any strength PRs right now, it doesn’t matter if I’m a bit weak and slow in the mornings.
But, alas, energy has been lacking and I haven’t been sleeping well this past week. K bought me a body pillow on the weekend, hoping that it would help me sleep more comfortably on my side. Unfortunately for him, it only made me toss and turn all night. Not really the effect he was going for, I think?
So, since my body was telling me to sleep in as long as possible, I did. The workouts I did get in, felt awesome, as expected.
Monday: Yoga
K was playing baseball so I turned out all the lights, lit a bunch of candles and did a blissful 30 minute yoga session focused on chest and shoulder openers and back mobility. I followed it up with a 10 minute meditation. This had me floating off to bed just after 9pm.
Tuesday: Walking
With an early start time for work, I just didn’t have time to get to the gym on Tuesday. Instead I took a nice long walk through the park after work. There’s nothing like a little forest bathing to soothe the soul. I crave it if I haven’t been out in the park in a while.
Wednesday: Weight Lifting
Finally some dumbbells! Back, arms and chest were on the agenda. After some needed rest, I felt strong and energetic. I kept my weights quite light and focused on proper form.
- Mobility – Spidermans, dislocates, kettlebell arm bars, air squats
- Pullups – 4 sets of 6 reps assisted machine pullups, nice and light. Focus on engaging rhomboids and lats.
- Cable Rows – 3 sets of 10 reps at 55 pounds.
- 21s and Lying Triceps Extensions (superset) – 3 sets, 21 reps with 30 pound barbell for biceps, 10 reps with 30 pound barbell for triceps.
- Dumbbell Curls and Triceps Dips (superset) – 3 sets, 8 reps with 20 pound dumbbells for biceps, 8 reps bodyweight for triceps.
Thursday: Walking
Another chaotic day and a particularly stressful one. I did nothing more than a 15 minute walk at work and 10 minutes of mobility at home that evening.
Friday: Rest
Another off day. 10 minutes of mobility.
Saturday: Walking
20 minute walk and some mobility.
Sunday: Walking and Yoga
A gorgeous fall morning called for a foraging walk through the forest with my mom. We walked for about an hour and a half and brought back two big bags of apples. To ease my aching feet after all that walking, I did a gentle 20 minute yoga/stretching session.
Sometimes you just need a rest week. It has always been difficult for me to be ok with chilling out. In almost every aspect of life, I feel like I could be working harder, doing more. And that’s a great path to burnout. My body is working pretty hard right now as it is, building a human being and all, so I’m really trying to accept the fact that sometimes I need to just be a little bit lazy. I’m finally feeling better and sleeping more soundly (I kicked the person-sized pillow out of bed) so I’m looking forward to getting back into the gym this week and throwing some iron around!
