Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another edition of Tuesday Topics. This week’s Tuesday Topic: Ask someone who’s been struggling to share their story.. Remember to link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post.
We all know that fitness can help both mentally and physically, but sometimes we can find ourselves on the “struggle bus”. For this post, I want to share my fitness struggle bus story.
It’s no secret that I love fitness – Peloton, OTF, running, etc. I love being able to take a variety of classes to get in a great workout, but for the past few months, I’ve been struggling. For so many years I always had a race to train for so I always felt like I was working toward a goal. Lately although I am getting in my workouts, I haven’t been inspired and I find myself just kind ongoing through the motions. I definitely feel kind of “stuck” at times.
The fitness “struggle bus” definitely isn’t fun, but yesterday I decided on a way I can feel like I’m back on track. Two OTF members that I follow on Instagram decided to start at #5for50 Challenge. The focus is 50 days of intentional steps to make stronger habits. You pick 5 habits that you want to focus on throughout the next 50 day. The categories are fitness, hydration, nutrition, personal development and professional development. I love the variety of the categories. Here are my habits for the challenge:
I thought about the 5 habits I want to focus on and officially started the challenge yesterday. I’m looking forward to ending the Summer and entering Fall on a positive note. My hope is that by focusing on these habits for 50 days will make it easier for the habits to be part of my daily routine moving forward, and that this will help me get me off the fitness struggle bus!
Tell Me: Have you ever had a ride on the fitness struggle bus?
Join the Link-Up!
Topic for next week – FREE!
Catrina says
Oh, I love this idea!
I like the range of the goals, especially personal development. I’m so intrigued and have so many questions about this challenge. How do you measure progress? Are you accountable to each other?
And of course, I’m burning to know what specific goals you picked.
This is screaming for another post, Kim! 😉
kookyrunner says
I updated the post to show my 5 habits for the challenge. Sorry, I thought the photo uploaded but it didn’t!
I was really intrigued by the professional development goal/habit because that’s something I need to take more seriously.
Darlene says
It is tough to see progress when you are not racing. Probably why I continue to race. I used to do yoga regularly and go to the gym. But as you said I didn’t have a goal and lost my mojo.
I think you are doing great. I am always inspired by your workouts when I read your posts.
I have several friends struggling with injuries. I advise them to stay active even if they can’t run now.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Darlene! I guess I just feel a little lost since I’m not actually training for anything with an end goal. I know I’ll get out of this struggle eventually.
Kimberly Hatting says
I concur with Catrina…I’d LOVE to know what your goals are 😉 I think the 50-day challenge is an awesome way to kick start your your descent off that bus. I do think the struggle bus is real, and its “ride” definitely varies for each of us (a single run, an entire week or month, or an extended period of time). I think the key is knowing the ride WILL end eventually, and we don’t have to “keep riding” indefinitely. Good luck, #KimTwin!!!
kookyrunner says
I updated the post to show my 5 habits for the challenge. Sorry, I thought the photo uploaded but it didn’t!
Yup, you’re absolutely right. I know this “ride” will come to an end, but I have to put in the work to make that happen!
Chocolaterunsjudy says
I love the habits that you’ve chosen and that they’re not all fitness related.
My big motivator is truly to age well — that’s what keeps me moving. I also try really hard not to beat myself up about taking recovery so seriously. It’s a much neglected piece of the fitness pie.
I also love that you are putting meditation in there. I’ve been meditating a long time now, but because things are so stressful the last few months, I’ve been leaning into meditation more & more. I think the biggest thing to remember about that is even a really short meditation is useful. It also helped that I set up a little area outside where I can meditation mid day, too. So peaceful!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy! That was something very appealing to me – the fact that the habits were not all fitness related. It’s a more well-rounded challenge.
Deborah Brooks says
I also feel more motivated when I have a goal or a plan to work towards. I hope this challenge helps you feel more inspired! It’s also the humid and hot weather that gets me
kookyrunner says
Thanks Deborah – I think this will be a good jumpstart for me.
Wendy says
We’re doing something similar at CrossFit this summer. They always host a summer challenge with weekly tasks to complete but this year, we’re doing more thoughtful tasks. This week is to spend 5 minutes a day (or more) on something you want to improve on. I’m going to do my PT exercises–god knows, I need to do them!
kookyrunner says
That’s awesome! And I love your idea of spending 5 minutes a day (or more) doing PT exercises. I need to do that too.
Denise says
I need races to keep me motivated. I also pre schedule Pilates classes to make me go. My latest struggle is with social media posts and blog posts. I get so bored with it. I also need to do yoga but that never happens. Ugh.
Good luck with your goals. Having a plan definitely helps!
kookyrunner says
What you do for Pilates is what I do for OTF. I like pre-scheduling because there’s chance of me backing out if I know I have to be there at a set time/day.
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
Yay for finding a challenge to get you motivated again! I’m so much more motivated when I have a carrot dangling in front of me, even for home projects, not just workouts.
kookyrunner says
Absolutely! I’m the same way when it comes to home projects as well.
Cari says
I love this idea. It really makes for a more well rounded person at the end rather than just one element. And gives you the variety too
I look forward to reading your progress through it.
And yes on the struggle bus. Grateful to have a race right now otherwise I wouldn’t be running in the heat. August is going to be interesting for sure, so I need to find a fall race yesterday
kookyrunner says
That’s what it was really appealing to me as well. It gives me a chance to make improvements in various parts of my life which is always a good thing.