The gift of faithfulness in workouts is a huge one. When we show up regularly to our workouts, change happens. When we commit to the habit of movement, we really see results. So giving myself the gift of faithfulness is giving my future self a healthier, happier body.
What could be better?
The gift of goodness relates to workouts in several ways.
Perhaps most obviously, a good workout is one that works for us. Maximizing the goodness of a workout is a Good Thing, whether that means we work for maximum strength, increased muscle mass, or just the joy of moving. For me, there are lots of good workouts, whether they involve swimming or weights or spin or Pilates or any of the other things I do that move my body.
Another way goodness comes into it is that there is an inherent goodness or virtue to working out period. Treating our bodies to movement is good.
Then there is the work we do during the workout. When we do good work, we head toward a flow state and that’s just amazing.
What is good about workouts for you?
As always, we need to modify for our bodies. When I write “jacks,” you can do crouch jacks, plyojacks, ordinary jacks, or modified jacks, depending on what works. Choose weights that work for you. Do your YTA on a ball or bench or standing. Workouts have to work for us and with us. Three rounds.
kb swings | 30 |
kb twists | 20 |
kb 8s | 10 |
| |
jacks | 30 |
skullcrushers | 20 |
YTA | 10 |
| |
squat to leg lift/ticktock | 30 |
overhead press | 20 |
brains | 10 |
Workout kindness comes in many flavors.
1. Use headphones. Not everyone wants to jam to your jam.
2. Wipe the equipment. Because no one wants to share your sweat.
3. Put the weights back in the rack. Duh.
4. Let folks work in. You need to rest between sets anyway.
5. Pick up your stuff. You’re a grown-up now and it isn’t that hard.
Kindness is so useful in workouts. I need more of it, myself. It shows up in at least two ways.
One way is in doing the workout itself. Taking care of my body is kind to it, even if it isn’t always fun in the moment. Kindness takes vitamins and flosses teeth. It eats veggies and drinks plenty of water.
The other way is in how the workout gets done. When I’m working out, I am, definitionally, doing hard things. Sometimes I don’t do them very well. I can choose to be kind to myself in that moment and keep an eye on showing up rather than performing to perfection. Very occasionally, kindness can even mean resting instead of working out. Kindness listens to the body.
What’s your favorite way to be kind?
Patience is a gift that I can always use more of. (A friend of mine once said it is a bad idea to pray for patience, because God will send all kinds of patience exercises. I think that is definitely one of God’s ideas of humor.) When it comes to workouts, it’s really key.
I don’t think I’m alone in wishing that workouts gave more instant results. What do you mean I have to do this every day for weeks to see results? Also, learning new things can be challenging. It’s very tempting to get impatient with myself for not getting it right away.
One thing that helps me practice my patience is to keep the long term results in the back of my head while I focus more on the instant gratification. I really do feel better right away when I work out. I may not be instantly stronger or cuter or anything, but I do feel good.
What helps you be patient?
Sometimes I forget about an exercise for a while. It’s time to punch things! Three rounds.
(lunge) punches | 30 |
bench press | 20 |
1 leg squat | 10 |
| |
1 arm clean and press | 30 |
flies | 20 |
renegade row | 10 |
| |
woodchoppers | 30 |
deadlift | 20 |
pretty princesses | 10 |
