21 days. That’s what they say it takes to make or break a habit.
Seems short enough, but it can also be the longest 21 days of your life. But, I will admit – just like in pregnancy, after that first trimester, you can’t pinpoint the day, but somehow the nausea just goes away. Or, if you run everyday, the further distance just doesn’t seem so far one day. I remember when I couldn’t run one mile (true story) and now I laugh at 5-6 mile days as a BASIC day.
It’s not simple to get there – you have to want it, that’s a given. But a lot of what they say is true – you have to get your mind right. When I go into a workout, it’s always well, 5 miles it is! It’s not – UGH 5 fucking miles! I hope I can make 3! Because when you already set your mind to 5, you already did it. Here’s how I have been working up to it, and found it to be an attainable journey:
1. Commit to 2 days a week. To start.
You can do it. I plan to workout in the mornings I already have to get up and take Max to school. I am already out of the house, so the hard part is already over – getting out the door. I also use ClassPass, which allows me to book in advance. There is a $15 cancellation fee ($20 for no shows!), so it holds me accountable to going. Twice a week is nothing. Even if you need to lift some kettle bells in your living room for 20 minutes, you can do it. Peloton also has the coolest idea – you can actually purchase one of their studio bikes and live stream their classes at home. So, if you’re really too lazy to go to class, all you have to do is roll out of bed, literally. Trust me, when I get the space, I’ll have one.
2. Get a fitness buddy.
Nothing holds you accountable like a friend who expects you to show up. I also like FlyWheel because their app tracks your progress and workouts, and you can share that with your buddies to see show you rank against each other. Also, you can’t LIE about your workouts or how hard you pushed. Trust me, it will push you harder. Can’t get a friend? Get a trainer. Trust me, it’s not as costly as you think. Solange (that’s her above!) and I work together a lot – and she not only pushes me to do better, she corrects me. There are a ton of one-on-one trainers or even small classes available in NYC (and beyond!), and like Solange, she has a variety of times and places – from indoors at Asphalt Green to outdoors in the parks around the city when the weather is nice!
3. Switch it up.
No one said you have to run 5 miles every day. I get bored. Again, using ClassPass (geeze, ClassPass, can I get some endorsement kick backs here??) you can try new things to find out what you like, and what is convenient. Example. I LOVE to spin. It’s my “thing” so depending where I will be in the city, or how fast I need to get there or get back, I schedule out my studio. If I need to get back to work fast, I go to the closest FlyWheel on 60th. If I need to shower after and go to meetings in the city, I prefer Peloton. If I want to really kick ass and do a hardcore arm workout I go to Crank. Get the point?
Meanwhile, let’s just admit how fucking LUCKY you are to be in NYC. ClassPass has everything from basic gym entry to aerial yoga. Yes, I did it. It’s awesome. And you can try ALL of these weird ass trends – isn’t that enough to get you out of bed this week?
4. Find your happy place.
I am slightly crazy and love new challenges and being out of my comfort zone. This means trying new things, and proving to myself that I can do them. I am not a creature of habit. My newest adventure? Bikram yoga. Why? Because I need some fucking inner peace. Being a New Yorker means I work too much, sleep to less, and drink too much coffee. I never shut down. Bikram lets me completely shut down for 90 minutes once a week. I sweat out all the anger and frustrations of the week, and come out feeling completely revived. No kidding – I never have slept better than the night after Bikram. Plus, let’s be honest – you sweat out everything – my skin literally has never looked better.
5. Reward yourself.
I always set rewards to help achieve my goals. If you don’t – what’s the point? You have to want it for you – not anyone else. Example. If I want a pedicure, I have to walk the mile and back to the salon. My health insurance literally pays me $1 for every day I reach 10,000 steps. Do I make sure to hit that every day I can? You bet. Do I really want to slather myself in fried perogies and cheeseburgers? Do I want to pound Jager bombs and lemon drop shots with my ladies one night on the town? Hell yeah I do! After running 8-10-13 miles I have earned to eat anything I want. Had a great spinning class? Their fancy $50 tanks are on sale for $15? Score – totally earned it. And now I have a “fresh to death” new workout outfit to rock for my next class…which makes me want to go even more.
6. Track your progress.
Holy Sh**? It’s already the middle of February? You mean, I’ve already gone 21 days? 21 days doesn’t have to mean EVERY SINGLE DAY. It just means getting in a habit, whatever that habit may be. Finding time for Bikram once a week. Committing to spinning twice a week. Just giving yourself a few minutes everyday before jumping on your phone. New habits are relatively easy to form and bad ones are easy to break – you just need to put in a little effort and it is true what they say – big benefits will come.
