RUNNING LEGGINGS: c/o Prism Sport (sold out, more great options here) | VEST: c/o Prism Sport | SPORTS BRA: c/o Prism Sport | SNEAKERS: Nike (similar here and here)
Since our wedding in mid-August, I’ve majorly fallen off the workout wagon. Well, I like to think of it less as falling off the workout wagon and more as jumping on the indian delivery/french fries/ranch dressing goes on EVERYTHING wagon. This wagon is delicious, but this wagon is my downfall.
Frighteningly, the holidays are fast approaching which means more of the same poor eating habits and limited time to exercise (work holiday parties, friend holiday parties, lots o’ family stuff…), so I feel like intervention time is NOW. Because really, if I don’t turn this ship around shortly, I might as well just go bathe in a tub of high-fructose corn syrup until January 4th.
Since I personally need a kick in the pants and since soooo many of you have been requesting a workout post for… forever… I figured I’d finally oblige (sorry it took so long) and give you my top tips on what I do to work out, how to fit a workout into your workweek, and how to actually stick to it.
TIP #1: SET A SCHEDULE
At the beginning of the week set a workout schedule. I’m not talking about saying to yourself, “Ok, I’m going to workout three times this week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after work.” I’m talking about pulling up your iPhone calendar (or whatever you rely on) and actually inputting a 60 minute time slot into those three days at specific times. Throughout the week as things come up, this will allow you to schedule and plan around your workouts. If I have a workout on my calendar and my girlfriends text me to grab drinks I’m able to say, sure, I’m free after 7:30! And stick to that 6:00pm run.
If I just say loosely “I’m going to exercise after work tonight” it’s so much easier to get distracted by all of the other things in my life—work, social events, TV shows that I’m binge watching, google image searches of the royal babies—important things that come up throughout the day and cause me to completely forget that I had a workout in mind. Honestly, simply forgetting to workout is often my biggest problem. I get caught up in life and work and all of a sudden it’s midnight, I’m going to bed, and I realize I completely forgot I had planned on working out. If I had scheduled a workout and it was on my calendar (with a reminder set), I probably would have allocated my time differently during the day to stick to a more efficient schedule.
How many of you just google image searched the royal babies? ; )
If you’re a morning workout person, you especially have to do this—get it on the calendar and commit. If you allow yourself to decide when you’re going to bed at 11:30pm (or when your alarm clock goes off at 6:30am) the likelihood that you’ll make an excuse and sleep in is so much higher. The excuses I’m able to weave in a semi-comatose state when my alarm sounds at 6:00am and I’m supposed to decide whether or not to workout that morning are nothing short of extraordinary. If you have it on your calendar and you’ve already decided (and better yet, prepaid for a workout class maybe?), you’ll be able to plan ahead so you can get to sleep earlier the night before your workouts and in the morning, there’s nothing left up in the air… except for a few expletives when you’re heaving yourself out of bed.
TIP #2: FIT IN SHORT WORKOUTS & MIX IT UP
Ideally, we’d all have time to workout for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. However, let’s face it. Ain’t. Nobody. Got. Time. If you know you have a super hectic week where you just can’t make your favorite 90 minute yoga classes, don’t forget that it isn’t all or nothing. There are easy 10-20 minute workouts that you can do anywhere. If you can’t schedule those full-blown sweat sessions, still schedule 20 minutes at home where you do a simple circuit of sit-ups, lunges and push-ups, for example.
In general, mixing up your workout routine is not only better for your body, but also better for your state of mind. Personally, I can be a creature of habit and will sometimes end up doing the same workout class for weeks in a row. However, after a few weeks I’ll burn out and all of a sudden feel bored of the routine, and eager to make excuses. To prevent this, find a group of workouts that you enjoy, rotate them throughout the week, and don’t be afraid to periodically throw in a new workout class into your schedule.
Here are the 5 primary workout types that I do:
- I’ve been a runner since I was young, and whether it’s on the treadmill or the streets of San Francisco, this is my cardio of choice.
- There are a couple parks and some buildings in my neighborhood that have super long outdoor stairs. I’m a big fan of a couple sets of stairs at the beginning or end of my run.
- I love pilates, and particularly love pilates-yoga fusion classes.
- I LOVE barre method classes.
- I love Barry’s Bootcamp.
- I keep 5, 10 and 15 pound hand weights in my apartment so that on days when I don’t have time to get to the gym, I’m able to do some lunges, sit ups, and simple weight training at home on a yoga mat.
I love the arm workout you get from bringing a cheeseburger from the table to your mouth.
I know, I know, there’s no spinning on that list. It’s quite possible that I’m the only girl on the planet that despises spinning classes. I can’t explain it. I’ve tried several times and have always despised the whole thing. Go figure.
TIP #3: GEAR MATTERS
I spent the majority of the first 18 years of my life either at a sporting event or en route to my next sporting event. Between that and growing up with boys, I was never big on what I used to call “cutesie” workout gear. Admittedly, I used to roll my eyes a bit at the girls who show up to the gym in head-to-toe pink lululemon matchy-matchiness. I was always more of the girl who threw on a pair of old basketball shorts, a t-shirt from an 11th grade tournament and ran out the door. However, after getting some amazing Under Armour running shirts for Christmas a few years ago, I was shocked at the enormous difference they made in my workout and immediately started hoarding them in troves. For me, lightweight, breathable fabrics that wick sweat away are among the most prized possessions in my closet. Below is all of my favorite workout gear:

P.S. Was this post helpful? Are there more topics that you’d really like to hear about? Please let me know in the comments!
19 thoughts on “How To Fit a Workout Into Your Workweek”
I’ve FINALLY found the weekly workout routine that, well, works for me and it feels amazing. I also love barre method and I’m currently so obsessed that I’ve been going 6 times a week. Then, in the mornings I have to walk my dog anyway, so I just turn a few walks into runs for cardio.
Love this post, btw. The scheduling the workouts thing is so spot on!
xx, anna
http://www.lifewiththechampions.com
Scheduling workouts is tough. I usually do AM but every week I plan to be so dedicated and then poof, something comes up.
Since you asked about other topics for you to consider, here goes….
Laundry and clothing care
Closet organization (I’d sure love to see inside your closet)
A Day in the Life of Mary Orton
How do you choose the outfits you present to us….do you have label representatives call with offers, or do you just go into a store and peruse the racks? A photo montage of the process would be fun.
Photo location scouting. Do you just step outside your front door or do you drive around pre-selecting sites?
Tips for staying classy while traveling…and I mean the actual airport and on the plane experience. Also, how and what to pack for a couple of weeks trip.
And finally…..exactly what type of tech start up are you CEO of? Inquiring minds want to know if there are investment opportunities.
As you can see, I’m slightly addicted to your blog. Hope you consider one (or all) of my suggestions. 😉
Great post. I find having a partner, even if you don’t exercise together regularly is helpful. Just checking in with each other helps to keep you accountable. I also track my exercise, so week by week you can see how you are doing. ♡♡
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
Absolutely love your posts. I work for Ming Wang and started following your blog after you featured one of our jackets in February of this year. You are the classiest and most down-to-earth fashionista I’ve seen on the web. THANK YOU for that. I always look forward to your emails!
Loving your workout tips. That outfit is super cute!
Lifestyle by Joules
You are not the only person to dislike spinning! I’ve tried to get into it numerous times and I just can’t. I think scheduling your workouts is key. I used to go for a run during my lunch break, because I found it easier than trying to wake up earlier (#notamorningperson) and I was usually too tired after work. Cute workout clothes helps, too. I’m a huge fan of pieces from Athleta and Prism Sport.
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Thank you very much for these really helpful tips! I don’t like spinning classes, either!
Danielle
http://www.spring2spring.com
Pingback: WEEKEND READING - Design Darling
I love your posts! So helpful, and since I recently moved from NYC to SF, I find them especially on point! This was a great post on working out (since so hard to do during the week)… Another helpful post might be on what products you use for skincare! I know we can all visit the derm, but just to get an idea of new products to try!
I’m totally on board with short varied work outs. I get bored quickly so even exercise plans like Kyla Itsines’ can hold my attention for maybe 2 weeks max. One day I would be streaming Ballet Beautiful to do swiss ball routine the next day and pilates with bands the following. I found it works the best for me. As for clothes, the only gear that I really care about is my ballet kit- I have various leg warmers, skirts, shorts and of course ballet shoes. Other exercise is done in 15 year old yoga pants 🙂 I can’t find sports clothes exciting at all 🙂
Awesome post! Bookmarked! As someone who also has some demanding hours in the tech industry, I find that working out during the work week is really difficult as well. Sometimes I feel that I already use so much brain power at work, and when I get home, I want to just lie down without using my brain or…moving my body at all. I also find that using some of the YouTube short exercises are helpful when life and work gets busy. Although I am not a morning person, but sometimes I manage to wake up 15 minutes earlier than usual and turn on my phone to play that YouTube short exercise clip so I don’t feel “as bad” for skipping my workout routine the day before. 🙂
Julia || Closet de Jules || Recent Post – Black and White for the Fall
Such a good tip!!
This is the best, most legitimately helpful workout post I’ve seen. Thank you!!
My request — more beauty/hair posts?!
I can not believe you don’t like spinning, it is my favorite! But you are right, cute workout clothes are the best!
xx Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
This is a great post!! I try to just go out and run for 20 minutes every day at the least. I’ve been a runner my whole life too, so running 20 minutes isn’t hard, but it makes a huge difference in my mood and when I have time to do a longer workout. But despite my best intentions, I can never seem to wake up in the morning to work out!
Loved the post, specially the gear matters tip. Once a fashion lover, always a fashion lover, hehe.
http://www.fashionovermatter.com
I’d love to see a “this look for less” feature on some of your posts or one on work attire staples for those of us leaving college/starting our career.
I HATE SPIN CLASSES, TOO!!! You are not alone. They are the worst. They bruise my butt, and I hate turning that pesky knob thing.
Praise Jesus !!???? I thought I was meant to wander the planet alone! I can’t believe there is another wandering soul that hates spin!!! Woooohooooo!!