Quarantine has been super rough over here. We have been fortunate in so many basic ways — we have a roof over our head, a household with two incomes and we are healthy. But beyond that, it’s been rough in every other way. Most days, I haven’t had much to say at the end of the day, which is why I haven’t been posting here, or much over here on Instagram. One of the few things that has helped to keep me sane is one that I fought for so long to embrace.
I’ll admit it. Exercise hasn’t been a big priority for me since becoming a mom. I have always claimed it to be one and tried to do as much as I could to workout here and there, but deep down I’ve known it really wasn’t. I knew it should be, like those vegetables we keep fighting the good fight with our kids on. Nothing I tried made it become a real regular part of my life.
Until now.
I’ve been having much more fun as of late with my Peloton and decided to lean in – waaaaay in – to making it a focus in 2020. Peloton has a badge they did for January if you completed 30 workouts. If anyone had told me something as simple as a digital badge would get me motivated, I’d have rolled my eyes. Yet, it got me hooked and I haven’t looked back.
Being cooped up in our house more or less since March 15th has made me love it even more. I’ve been waking up early, so I can squeeze in a 30 or 45 minute ride before the house is too awake. There’s something amazing about waking up and starting the day on your terms – finding calm and building some strength in the dark stillness of the morning. I’ve been plowing through milestones too, knocking off my 250th ride yesterday! And while I was hoping to meet one of the instructors and take the class in person at the studio, I was surrounded by high fives from friends from a neighboring town in NJ down to my hometown in Alabama. Amazing.
New to the bike or toying with the idea of getting one for yourself? (And if you are, use my code 26DYC2 for $100 off when you purchase!) Here are some thoughts, which all add up to why this is one of the best purchases I’ve made in recent years.
A little here and there adds up to a lot.
For so long, I thought I needed at least 45 minutes to an hour for a workout that would count. I’ve really shifted that perspective. All those 15, 20 and 30 minute rides add up collectively to a lot – both in overall miles on the bike and differences in both the way I feel and the way my clothes fit. Since December 1st, I’ve put in 849 miles on the bike!
Find your tribe to cheer you on.
Once I started riding more, I joined several Peloton related Facebook groups to meet other riders, specifically the Working Moms of Peloton, #FITFAB40s and Pelo Motherfunners. I even helped to launch a Peloton Bachelor Nation group (obviously). Connecting with other users to cheer each other on, to share stories and take rides together (both from home and occasionally in person) has been the added element of community I’ve been missing since I gave up my in-studio boutique rides I loved so much when I still lived in Manhattan.
Music makes all the difference.
Most people who are into spin already know this, but the music really makes the ride as well as your overall experience. I’ve spent some time trying various instructors and content series on Peloton to find things that work for me. Try as many as you can. It’ll make it easier to find out what really motivates you. I’ve found, for example, that even though classic rock isn’t something I listen to often on Spotify it’s something that really gets me going in a spin class. Who knew?
Minimize the decisions.
Squeezing these workouts into my morning with a defined timeline (AKA daycare drop-offs to happen before a train to Manhattan I have to make) means every minute counts. So that means I minimize the decisions for the morning of. I search the classes available in advance, bookmarking the ones I want to take so I can easily launch them when I need to. The night before, I set out both my workout attire for the next day and my clothes for the workday, so I’m ready to go.
Don’t neglect to stretch — and to breathe.
Just like all those little windows of time add up, so do the non-workout things to take care of you. As important as the workout are the post-ride stretches that let your body slowly calm down, cool down and prepare for the rest or remainder of the day. The majority of the days I did a spin class but I sprinkled in some days where my only activity was meditation — equally an important part in this journey, making time to focus on yourself and focus on calming your mind.
It’s the discomfort that leads to real change.
So many classes mention this and I’ve found it to be so true. Sure, there are times when you know your body is legit telling you to stop. But there’s also those periods where it starts to get hard but that you’re more capable of than you realize. And the classes help you to find those and push through to success ok the other side, if you’ll let them.
New to Peloton or looking for some new rides to check out? Here are some recent loves from my favorite instructors.
- Groove ride with Cody + Emma
- Sundays with Love (Ally Love) or her Tabata rides for some serious burn
- Cody’s XOXO series
- Alex T’s Club Bangers series
- Billy Joel 60 minute ride with Jen Sherman
Let’s connect. I’m #SpinIt2DinnIt. Hope to see you on the bike!
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