Slow and Steady Wins the Race

One of my current weekly goals is 10 minutes of strength training 5x/week.

This week I won’t hit that – I’m 1/5 so far but will probably finish at 3/7 days this week.

I have eight sets of dumbbells in my room: 3lbs, 5 lbs, 8 lbs, 10 lbs, 12 lbs, 15 lbs, 20lbs and 25 lbs.

I keep them tucked away in the corner.

I focus on a different body part each time I lift – biceps or shoulders or triceps or legs or chest or back.

10 minutes isn’t a lot, but it’s manageable. Most days I end up doing more like 15 minutes. But I always do at least 10.

10 minutes isn’t where I want to be ideally, but it’s better than nothing, and it’s becoming a regular part of my daily routine.

When middle school and high school swim seasons end, then my plan is to level up to 20 minutes a day.

By summer I want to be lifting 30 minutes per session, 5 days a week.

In order to increase my chances of being consistent, I bring the iPad up to my room and watch something on it while I’m lifting.

This makes lifting more attractive which makes me more likely to do it.

In between sets, reather than just standing there for a couple minutes, I usually put my clean clothes away or I straighten up in the bathroom or something like that.

Yesterday was tricep day.

I did 6 sets of 15 overhead extensions with 12 pound dumbbells.<

A couple weeks ago I could only do this with 10 lb dumbbells.

I’m getting stronger.

Just by 10 minutes a day, a few times a week.

And while I’m not working out a ton, I feel really good about myself for consistently doing something for my body. And brain.

I also wear clothes I feel good in. 😊

You don’t need to go overboard to see progress.

And when you start at a place that’s manageable, you lay the bricks of a strong foundation you can build upon.

If you aren’t exercising consistently right now, try cutting back your expectations. Start smaller.

Slow and steady wins the race.