Tonight, writing this post, I am very excited. I set a goal to workout every day in January. While there are still a few days left, I am celebrating a small milestone of 1,000 minutes so far this year!
Do not be deceived! Not every day was a long 60 minute bootcamp, or a 30 minute jog, but every day I moved. Tonight, after doing a 45 minute pop bootcamp that brought back some great music and had a few dance breaks (à la Backstreet Boys & *NSYNC), I was so happy to see a 1k badge pop up on the screen with the workout summary.
“By choice, we see the opportunity, and we crank up the resistance”
Cody Rigsby
I did not have a specific goal in mind as far as hitting 1,000 minutes in January, however, I am proud that I have. This year, I am in a much better space mentally, and I believe whole heartedly this has to do with working out and being mindful about my physical health.
Last year was tough. 2021 was supposed to be the return of pre-covid life, the vaccines were being widely distributed and hopes were high. Despite the hope, the emergency room was busier than ever. I got into a cycle of simply working, coming home, eating junky food and sleeping. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I did not prioritize my health or fitness and joked about trying to get back into the swing of things every Sunday night.
“I’ll start on Monday!” I’d say half heartedly… by the time Thursday came around I was buying a snickers bar and a bag of Doritos from the vending machine joking that I would just start next Monday instead.
My loose scrubs started fitting a bit tighter, I did not like how any of the clothes I had looked, and it became harder and harder to simply get out of bed. I had headaches often, from eating lots of sugar, and drinking alcohol too often. I canceled a lot of plans with friends, made up lots of excuses, and my social anxiety hit a record high.
No excuses. Why? Because there’s always a “good excuse” and to be quite honest, I’m sick of them. Excuses are boring. We all have them. I want to be different, and my greatest fear is that I won’t tap into my fullest potential.”
Jess Sims
I knew I needed a change, or the spiral was going to get much worse. My thoughts were dark and I was in a lonely pit of depression and anxiety. I really wasn’t telling anyone how bad I felt. In November I was nauseous all the time and had other physical manifestations of anxiety that I have touched upon in previous posts here. In the very beginning of December brain fog set in and I felt detached, as if I was just going through the motions.
I truly think starting to work out regularly without any end goal has saved me. In the past, I have done different workout programs and stuck to them for the duration, but this time it has clicked more as a lifestyle change. I am not doing any monthly programs or resets, I am not holding myself to strict calorie counting or working out for a certain number of minutes a day- I am simply moving my body and eating more mindful.
I feel less stress, still anxious at times, but much less overall. I feel less depressed, less alone, and most important- my brain fog has cleared up. I am living again rather than going through motions. While it may seem unrealistic to have such a significant change from working out consistently for just a little over a month… I truly do feel better.
I think overall, the most exciting thing for me about feeling so improved in such a short time, is how I will feel long term. Fitness and health should not be a short term change- that is why dieting is so often unsuccessful. Prioritizing health and fitness is a long term, lifestyle change. A lifelong commitment to your physical health and your mental health.
“You chose yourself. You didn’t quit. You picked yourself up again… and THAT is the best highlight of the year. I’m so proud of you for still being here. I’m proud of US for surviving such a difficult year. Today I feel a strong sense of renewal. Here’s to healing. To moving forward. Here’s to a new year.”
Whitney Simmons
Wannabe Fitness Enthusiast 
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