Mary's musings

Re-establishing good habits

Have you ever fallen away from your good habits? I have all sorts of great excuses. Do you want to hear them? Me neither.

Good habits are easier to maintain when they are established as part of the routine. But folks rarely talk about how to get back into that routine when things have gone awry and inertia has set in. And that is where I find myself these days.

Somehow I have to fight may way back into writing and exercising and eating healthier and… and.. and… First step on this dreary Monday is to google and then ChatGPT for the solution. Is it surprising that for re-establishing either writing or exercising routines (really any ‘good’ activity), the steps forward are similar? So I’ll save you a few clicks and list here how ChatGPT responded.

1. Start Small and Build Up

  • Begin with short, manageable workouts (15–20 minutes) to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
  • Gradually increase intensity and duration as you get comfortable.

2. Set Realistic Goals

  • Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
    • Example: “Work out 3 times a week for 20 minutes for the next month.”

3. Find Something You Enjoy

  • If you hate running, don’t force it! Try strength training, swimming, yoga, or even dancing.
  • Mixing it up helps keep it interesting.

4. Schedule It Like an Appointment

  • Block workout time on your calendar to make it a priority.
  • Treat it like any other non-negotiable commitment.

5. Start with Strength and Mobility

  • Strength training builds muscle and boosts metabolism.
  • Add dynamic stretches and mobility exercises to prevent injury and improve flexibility.

6. Make It Convenient

  • Keep workout clothes and equipment accessible.
  • Choose a gym or workout spot close to home to remove friction.

7. Track Progress

  • Use an app, journal, or even just notes to track your workouts.
  • Seeing improvement will keep you motivated.

8. Don’t Overdo It

  • Rest days are just as important as workout days.
  • Listen to your body — soreness is okay, but pain isn’t.

9. Focus on Consistency, Not Perfection

  • Showing up regularly matters more than how intense the workout is.
  • A 10-minute walk is better than nothing.

10. Find an Accountability Partner

  • Working out with a friend or hiring a trainer can help keep you motivated.

The writing steps were very similar to the exercise steps above. It’s all about getting back into a rhythm. To knock out my step one and step six, I just hung up my TRX suspension bands and signed up for a 14 day trial. Don’t judge…but I am pretty sure I bought this TRX system right after the first time I went to Skyterra back in 2021. Slow and steady wins this race? That’s what I tell myself. I’m in work out clothes already and having published this blog, I have just made you my Accountability Partner.

Fingers and toes crossed for an easy transition back into exercise (and writing)!

Not a picture of me (yet).