Before I had my first hernia surgery last year, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be unable to exercise. I decided to wrote out my extensive exercise routine so that when I recovered, I wouldn’t forget anything.
As I returned to working out this week, following my 2nd hernia surgery, I reviewed this document. I was a bit surprised to see how many significant changes I’d made to my workout over the past 18 months. I’d added some sets. I reduced my workout times by 25% because I no longer take phone calls when I workout. I added two entire new programs (Tacfit Commando) as well as Prasara Yoga.
So I updated my master workout document.
Since I am only 19 days post-op from my hernia surgery, I am currently doing a modified workout with less insanity, fewer reps and scaled down exercises. As I was reviewing my document, I thought about each exercise that I do.
For example, I’ve been trying to do a front roll on the rings for 4 years. I do a modified version that is clunky. I’ve injured my shoulder at least a half dozen times doing this exercise. Even when I am “successful” it feels awkward and ends with a jerky extension that I feel in my wrists and elbows.
I asked myself, “Why am I doing this exercise?” The answer is because it is part of the GMB program which I follow. I’ve been working out following GMB programs for 5 years now.
Except…I don’t follow any of the GMB programs exactly the way they are written. I’ve modified them to suite my needs and abilities.
So I dropped the front roll exercise. After 4 years of frustration, it’s gone.
As I transcribed the rest of my workout, I realized there are several other exercises I do that are preparatory exercises for skills I will never achieve (eg. planche to handstand).
I am quite satisfied with my current abilities, body comp, and skills (when I’m fully recovered from surgery) so I decided to drop these exercises because they are superfluous.
And finally, by putting each exercise on paper, I realized that I had several redundant exercises. For example, I do 8 sets of handstands on the parallettes in the middle of my workout. Then at the end, I do 4 more sets. Why? Ummm…I’m not really sure. When I first started, I added these sets to improve my handstands. But now, after 5 years, my handstands are darn good. I don’t need extra practice on top of the 8 sets I do.
So I nixed these too.
Now my entire workout routine is tighter, more focused and shorter.
You might think this post is about exercise. But it is not.
It’s about the importance of examining the routines in my life to determine if they are aligned to my current needs and goals.
I enjoy following a highly-structured, predictable life. However, this can result in wasted time and effort, if I don’t periodically review what am I doing. That applies to my physical activity, my mental activity and my social activity.
It is easy for me to get caught in a rut of my own making. It’s actually not that difficult to get out of it once I realize I’m stuck there.