On the bucket list: Get in shape?

I, like most people these days, am struggling to figure out a work out routine. With gyms closed or requiring mask wearing it gets even trickier to figure out.

I have been doing this dance for a while now. Some months going to the gym 5 times a week. Some months going on 20 mile bike rides 3 times a week. I always have a few months then something happens. One year I ate some bad food and contracted strep. The following week my son had a week long fever. Last year I was riding more and doing less strength. I would continue with my yoga practice when I remembered.

In the infamous year of 2020 we lost access to our gyms. I changed jobs and was unable to ride as much as I used to. I was riding 10+ miles a few days a week during lunch where I used to work. Riding on the road/highway near my home requires courage and bravery.

In the middle of this extraordinary year I gained a few pounds. Not as much as some people I know but enough to freak me out. Then I found my “Do before 40” list.

On this list were the final things I stated that I wanted to have done before the dreaded morning where at 6:59 am on a Sunday morning I officially became 40.

• Lose weight- between 135-140. Then I crossed that out and wrote 130lbs
• Clear up my skin: I had an acne problem and a skin issue on my foot.
• Whiter teeth
• Daily yoga for the sake of mobility
• Daily meditation for the sake of my sanity
• Push goals
  • Restart blog (thanks for reading)
  • Finish EMDR certification (consultations scheduled)
  • Do not take on anymore long term debt ( )

Being that this post is about the working out parts, we won’t cover everything on this list. The rest will be saved for another time. BTW I wrote this addendum to my goals yearly goals list in June of 2020, when I realized I gained five pounds hanging out near the pantry.

In the beginning of December, I came to the conclusion that I was going to have get the gear I used regularly in the gym in my house. Up until this point all of my weight loss has been done by cutting calories. My body has gotten use to the calorie deficit and is having none of this. I wanted to add in exercise to make these changes sustainable.

I purchased the following:

• An exercise bike
• An exercise mat to put the bike on
• A suspension trainer
• Adjustable dumbbells

I already had:

• Yoga mats
• Yoga accessories: blocks, straps
• Ab roller
• 10 lb dumbells
• Bosu ball
• Regular bikes

Outside of dropping these last few pounds before I have to deal with things like menopause, I wanted to create a situation where I can always workout if I am home.

With the use of workout apps, I have worked out almost everyday since 3 December 2020 (except Christmas day and a hiccup). My weight is pretty stable and my legs are getting bigger.