Categories: Fitness

Putting Things in Perspective

Yesterday, I heard two coworkers outside of the bathroom talking.

“I went to the gym three times last week! I’m so proud of myself.”

I listened to them and smiled. Three workouts a week, I thought to myself. That’s a “bad” workout week for me–now. My base workout goal is to work out at least four times a week–work out more often than not. My realistic goal is to work out five days, and I would consider working out six days an awesome workout week.

Three years ago, I would have been really excited with three workouts in a week, too. I mean, then, I was super happy if I made it to the gym once or even twice a week.

Then I changed my life and started working out at least five times a week to meet my goals. I started loving to run races and I’ve spent most of the past two years training for race or another.

I currently have about a bajillion races on my schedule in the next few months. My current plan for that, by the way, is a sort of non-plan–continue the next few weeks trying to focus on strength and not be on a plan yet, do an 8-week training plan for the sprint tri that would start in late May, and then do a 16-week training plan for the NYC Marathon starting in July and just readjust some of the running parts of the sprint tri plan.

Sure, working out 5-6 days a week is great and awesome and healthier for you and what the experts recommend, but really, working out at all is better than not working out. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Stop comparing yourself to others. Stop giving a fuck. Sure, some people may work out twice a day, but that doesn’t mean you’re any better or worse or healthier or unhealthier than them. (And yes, I write this to remind myself, too.)

I like exercising to maintain my weight, to stay healthy, to look good, to stay sane. But I also REALLY like sitting on my couch. And hanging out with my friends. Sometimes I really have no desire to work out almost every day–and that’s okay.

Be proud of what you have done, not what you haven’t done.

I mean. I ran a freaking marathon. (And no. I will never get tired of saying that.) I lost 50 pounds.

So, just out of curiosity, how many days a week do you work out? And what healthy accomplishments are you proud of?

Theodora Blanchfield

View Comments

  • i try to do some sorta of physical fitness activity every day, hard core working out 5 days a week! its tough but i just recently started a run/walk program and am working towards running a 5k in june! good luck in july!

  • Thank you for this post!!! I usually work out 7 days a week. I do a little yoga, walking or kenpo on my “off” days, but I rarely take any REAL days off, unless it is the day after a big race. When I don’t work out, I automatically feel guilty and lazy. It’s all in my head, I KNOW this, so it’s nice to put things into perspective. :)

  • I completely agree. A 3 workout week is a "bad" workout week for me. I like to try and get in 5-6 workouts per week and I often like to double on workouts (run at lunch, strength training in the evening).

    But three is better than nothing, so I try to remind myself of that on the insane weeks where 3 workouts is all I can really squeeze in!

  • Honestly? Right now I don't workout at all. Zero times a week and I know it is bad. I plan on starting to get into the groove again once the semester ends, so next week. For me, I am an all or nothing person for exercise. I will get in the groove and workout 5 or so times a week and keep that up for a few months (usually!) and then I will go on a non-working out kick for a few months

  • I work out about 6 days a week, and I try to do something active on the 7th day (like walk somewhere instead of taking a bus or the train. I'm trying to walk more in general). My roommate considers going to the gym three times a week a big deal. Some of my work out days I do two different active things, like an easy run and a yoga class.

    I used to spend so much time on my butt, and sometimes I miss all the time I spent reading and watching TV. I still do both, but not as much as I used to.

    I'm super proud of my half marathon on Sunday! I finished in 2:48:14 - yes, only 100 people finished after me but we all finished.

  • I work out 5 days a week. I use to work out six when I in the middle of my weight loss journey. I'm close to my goal, so I've scaled it down a bit because this body is TIRED!

    90 lbs gone!!! I can run for a long time and am training for my 1st half marathon! And I can keep up with my spin instructor (most days) at SOUL CYCLE.

  • LOVE this. It is all about perspective and doing whats right for you. For me, I aim for 5 workouts a week, but I'm learning not to beat myself up when things don't go as planned because I need balance. Having said that, my biggest "healthy" accomplishment to date was training for, and running my first 10k, and doing it injury free. I didn't care about time, but i did care that I could still be OK to run a few days after, too. And I know that If i had pushed *too hard (I pushed plenty hard...but still wouldn't run every day...) I may not have been able to say that, so, the balance and pulling back a bit was worth it in my book.

    • @Amy: Agreed. I'd much rather take some days off when I need to than go completely balls to the wall and get hurt.

  • All that you have accomplishes is SO awesome! You should be extremly proud of yourself.
    I am proud of all that I have done in the last year - including landing a great teaching job in a really tough job market.. purchased a condo with my boyfriend.. and have kept my healthy lifestyle going!

  • Ideally, I would love to get in 6 days of exercise a week. I usually hit between 4 to 5 a week though. Sometimes, I beat myself up over the weeks where I'm less than stellar (2-3/wk) but I need to learn to feel that it's ok as long as I don't stop working out completely. Loved this post - exactly what I needed right now.

  • When I'm not training- prob only 3-4 days. When I am training 4-5. But yes, just getting out there to the gym is the most important thing : ) I'm insanely jealous of people who can work out twice a day. With my commute and job I just can't strike that balance of working out more.

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