Phase 3 Fitness

I've somehow drifted into Phase 3 fitness. I wasn't really trying to, it just sorta... happened. (If you're like what is Phase 3 fitness, check out this post here)

It's that if you don't change where you are going, you might end up where you have always been philosophy. I tend to drift into Phase 3 fitness. I've been working on consciously not doing it but alas, something about mice and men. I tend to overextend, I have a hard time saying no.

A few weeks ago I decided I was going to consciously adding 2 strength training days because I wanted to have a little better glute and hammy engagement in my life. So I added in those two days, no more than 20-30 minutes, at home sessions with kettlebells that I aleady had. Great.

And for my birthday, Ben got us a set of Pickleball paddles, so we've been trying to do that on Friday nights (if anyone in the Ohio valley has indoor recs we would be like, really grateful).

Then, I had two Pilates training weekends back to back. I desperately need a massage and a chiropractic adjustment. Maybe some acupunture, idk,

I also decided I wanted to do another StepBet challenge and the goals it set for me were... extravagant.

So I'm upleveling. I'm also a bit sore, and frankly, tired.

Phase 3 fitness: It's that thing we do sometimes, it's the place we go when we have to, it's not a place to stay. It's not my favorite and it requires more planning, and more systems. There really aren't enough hours in the day for these things to happen naturally. There's not as much time for recovery, which is one of my favorite things. My program The Practice You Keep has a whole pillar dedicated to recovery. You can't grow as a person or physically without consciously recovering. I'm not really recovering between workouts, more like a quick reset; shower, sleep and back at it.

So tonight, rather than programming for my next Pilates class I took a Gentle yoga class. Last night I went to bed at 7:30 rather than trying to conquer the laundry. I hit snooze on my alarm. I prepped breakfast and lunches rather than waiting til the morning. I stocked up on magnesium butter from Appalachian Herbal Co. This is where systems are so handy. This is why we design systems; for when life doesn't go perfectly.

I know what products help my muscles recover. I have a local friend who can get me additional products when I need it, not something I need to wait to have shipped to me.

I know what yoga classes are more restorative for me rather than strenuous. I know which instructors create a more yin than yang environment. I have a monthly pass to a studio I like, I keep a nice thick yoga mat in my car. All I need to do is leave the house with a water bottle; minimal thinking required.

I prefill my Kroger cart for pickup around the classes I teach. Groceries are ready for a Friday pickup. (Lord willing and the snow holds off).

I have my morning routine nailed down; coffee, journaling, meditation. My non-negotiables, the things I know will affect my day if I skip them.

Looking forward

I quit my StepBet. Consciously. I can't walk 16K steps consistently. Especially in this weather. And stressing over steps is silly, I'll get back to it (because I'm reading a good book on my Kindle and the walking pad is where I do most of my walking).

I still have to keep doing the Pilates because, well, I need more practice. But even that too has an end date; once I get through my last intensive weekend, I can settle into a more structured, slower practice.

Glute and leg day is something I look forward too, so that gets to stay. Sometimes it's more intuition than hard and fast rules.

Phase 3 fitness doesn't last forever, but it can have lasting effects. I'm just trying to be my own best friend.