I gave up.
I simply stopped trying and it was easier than I thought it would be. One day turned into two then three. One week passed by then one month turned into three.
I have been exercising regularly since probably 2015. At first, I tried running. Then I joined my local gym. Then I got a bike. I was trying to find the perfect fit for me and, no matter the activity, I was able to get at least three days a week in. It wasn’t until I started with the bike that I felt like I found my “it”. I love riding my bike. I like the connection to nature when I am on a trail. I like the nostalgic feeling of being on a bike.
My bike came about during the lockdown in 2020 and it became a family affair. I got all the kids' bikes repaired and we went out a couple times a week together. We took advantage of the former Eastland Mall site before construction began on the future Amazon warehouse. On the weekends we would go to either the Boston Trail or Great Allegheny Passage in McKeesport.
Eventually, life got back to hectic and the only one still on the bike was me. But recently, little road blocks started popping up. First, I lost Eastland as a place to ride. This was a huge set back since it was so close and within minutes I could be out pedaling. A few weeks later, when I went back to work after summer break, my job became more demanding than I was accustomed to. Then I had some health issues to deal with.
I kept thinking, “I’ll get to it tomorrow.” Then it became, “I’ll start back next week.” It transitioned to, “I just don’t have time anymore.”
I gave up.
Exercising for me was always first and foremost about mental health and stress relief. Maintaining a healthy weight was a nice side effect but the clarity and tension reduction, that was the real benefit for me. It kind of surprised me that I didn’t put forth more of an effort to keep my routine.
It was New Year’s Eve when I really started reflecting on changes I wanted to make in 2022. I wanted to feel better. I knew things had to change but I didn’t know just how to do it. Going to the gym at 5 a.m. doesn’t work for me anymore. I cannot get to the bike trail after work since we have less daylight.
I did some research and I purchased something called a stationary bike stand. It seemed like the perfect solution. I could attach it to my bike and the stand keeps it still so you can ride inside. Yes! Problem solved.
It came in three days and my husband put the new contraption together. My idea was to ride in the morning when everyone was still asleep. Unfortunately, the bike ended up sounding like a buzzsaw when it was on the stand. It was so loud. I tried to make it work but I couldn’t justify waking everyone in the house up just so I could get some exercise.
Back to the drawing board.
A few years ago, my mom bought me a Fitbit. If you saw my Fitbit you would think it was from the 80s. There is no digital face to reveal step count, heart rate or time of day. It’s a black thin band with a series of five dots that light up as you move closer to reaching your step goal.
My husband made fun of me because he has one of the newer versions and he advised me to just buy a less 'fossil like' activity tracker. Although I would like a new one, my old one works just fine and I can download all the information to my phone. Resurrecting this Fitbit has been a life changer.
I try to get to work early in the morning to give me some time to ease into the day before the students arrive. Since I bring my son to school, he normally sits in my classroom while I read emails or drink a cup of tea. Every now and then he would ask me to take a walk with him around the building before the bell would ring.
The new year prompted me to prioritize “self-care” time and now he and I take a daily 15-minute brisk walk around the school. This walk has turned into my new exercise, until the weather changes, and I can get back on my bike. This will be week three for the brisk walks and I can tell they are making a difference. Paired with the number of steps I take around the school during the work day, reaching my daily step goal has not been a problem.
When you are constantly caring for others, you must take care of yourself. I lost sight of that and I kind of lost myself. Don't let this happen to you. Find something that you like to do and make it a priority to do it. Get creative and make it work. You will not be sorry.
