Backup Plans

A necessary component of a successful fitness plan is flexibility. (No, I'm not talking about joint flexibility, although that is an important part of a workout!) I'm talking about schedule flexibility. Backup plans. Plan B.

As an OTR truckers wife and a busy mom of 3 kids ages 6, 5, and 2, disrupted schedules are a part of everyday life. It's not that my schedule is so packed. I'm the first to admit that I'm very blessed to have the option of being a stay-at-home- mom. But rigid plans and little kids just don't mix well. And I've learned that my success in fitness hinges on my willingness to use a backup plan when necessary.

Take today, for instance. My husband didn't have to leave on the truck until late morning. (A very rare treat indeed, since he usually leaves out Sunday night.) I had scheduled to go to the gym this morning, but no way was I going to miss 2 hours of time with him! (My gym offers limited childcare hours. I have to plan my day carefully to make it work.) Now it's 9:00 p.m. and the kids STILL aren't settled down, but as soon as they do, I'm going to hit the treadmill for 30 minutes. Trust me: at this moment I REALLY wish my workout was already completed. But it's not, and at this point it boils down to a choice. I have the equipment and the opportunity, and even though it's not the scheduled workout of the day, it falls under Plan B just fine.

Fitness is a choice. It isn't easy. It often isn't convenient. And it's one of the few things we can't pay somebody else to do for us. I'm an aspiring personal trainer. But I do understand every excuse to not work out. I understand how much louder the couch calls than the treadmill. I understand craving cookies over broccoli. That's why I'm keeping this blog. Because accountability is my motivating factor. What is yours?