Eat, Pray, Love Working Out: My Fitness Routine

The foundation for my fitness routine started early. For as far back as I can remember, sports and fitness have been a passion of mine. Childhood photos capture me in a full Dallas Cowboys uniform, and I, much to my teacher-mom’s dismay, engaged in football games with the boys during recess. I was glued to the Olympics, dreaming of being a gold medal gymnast or runner. I played softball through middle school and tennis in high school, trained in the weight room and loved long distance runs. My tennis partner and I watched Rocky IV the night before every tennis tournament. Silly as it sounds, I loved embracing the “eye of the tiger”—training, pushing my body, and strategizing for the competitive edge.

Benefits of Fitness

I’m so grateful for those early years that forged in a me a strong internal discipline and a insatiable hunger for individual physical challenges. For over 30 years, my fitness routine has been a steadfast companion, providing personal reward, stress relief, and good overall health. My methods and routines have evolved alongside changing trends and trainers, but fitness remains an essential part of my wellness—alongside good nutrition, a committed spiritual life, and deep relationships. Eat, pray, love, work out.

My fitness routine isn’t merely a series of exercises; it’s a lifeline enhancing various facets of well-being. Beyond mood elevation, improved strength, endurance, and mental clarity, it counters the global issue of a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting at a computer all day, I prioritize a strong fitness routine to keep my body in motion. With a goal of 10,000 steps daily, tracked by my Apple watch, I navigate the challenges of a desk-bound day.

Stress Relief and Endorphin Soothing

In the face of a sedentary lifestyle, fitness becomes a powerful stress reliever. Endorphins after a workout or run soothe the “savage beastess” within, offering a mental and emotional release from the demands of the day.

Fitness over time: Evolving Trainers

In my early twenties, a friend introduced me to “The Firm,” a fitness video series incorporating cardio, light weight training, and step work—an ideal introduction that became a staple for quite a while.

Then I discovered Jillian Michaels. Her tough love approached rocked me through my late twenties. She’s a bad-A and I was hooked. I loved getting my butt kicked and the sense of accomplishment in finishing her hard-core sessions.

In my early 40s, I moved from Jillian’s DVD workouts to Kelli and Daniel Segars’  online platform Fitness Blender. Fitness Blender offers a wide variety of workout options—easily searchable and with filters for type of workout, length, body focus, instructor, calorie burn and intensity. A few times per month, I still use Fitness Blender for some of my favorite kickboxing workouts.

Fitness hero and guru: Caroline Girvan

Enter Caroline Girvan, my current fitness hero. Her challenging workouts focus on functional strength, and her honest, no-nonsense approach makes her a standout in the fitness world.

Although she certainly could be, Caroline isn’t a fitness model or competitor. She looks AMAZING. And she’s honest about the fact that her online workouts are the same programs she does to achieve her phenomenal physique.

Caroline Girvan focuses on building a strong and balanced body with free weights, kettlebells, bodyweight exercises, and the occasional HIIT workout. I have gained more strength and definition with Caroline’s programs than any time I spent on machines in the gym.  She clearly states that her workouts are for intermediate to advanced levels. If you’re not to that level just yet, I would suggest starting with Fitness Blender. I used 5, 10, and 15 lb. weights with Fitness Blender, then started with those in Caroline’s program. Now I primarily use 10, 20 and 25 lb dumbells.

Note: Dumbbells are pricey—basically priced per pound—so getting stronger can have some expense associated with it. But Caroline’s YouTube programs are free, so you’re saving the cost of the gym membership. Maybe weird, but I asked for a 35 lb kettlebell for Christmas. I’m excited to up my game in the new year!

Specifically, Caroline’s workouts are set to music with no talking. She includes timers counting down intervals and recoveries, a bar at the bottom of the screen marking your workout time, and on-screen tips regarding form or weight recommendations. Caroline does the workout alongside you, and often has to take breaks herself when she pushes to muscle failure. And don’t be too intimidated, but she lifts HEAVY. I usually lift HALF of what she lifts. But I’m gaining on her!

Current Fitness Routine

I have so consistently integrated my workout routine into my daily life, it feels as essential as brushing my teeth. It’s that important and regular.

It looked different when my kids were little—I always worked out during nap time or when they were at Mother’s Day Out. When I started my own business (WFH) and they were in school, I worked out during my lunch break or right before I went to pick them up. Now that they’re grown, my business is too, so I’m in the office 8-5. But when 5 o’clock hits, I’m in my walking shoes and hit the road with my dog for 2-3 miles. After that, I head upstairs and dedicate 30-45 minutes to my structured workout. Most days I focus on strength training, cycling through Caroline Girvan’s Iron Program on repeat. The Iron Program alternates between upper body, lower body, and full-body strength training workouts. Every other week, I spice things up with a HIIT or kickboxing session—this Fitness Blender kickboxing routine being my go-to for stress relief.

I prefer working out in the evening, as my body has never been keen on high physical exertion early in the morning. Occasionally, I kickstart my day with a series of yoga stretches. As a graphic and web designer, I sit at a desk most of the day so I do rely on my Apple watch’s stand reminders, incorporating movement whenever possible. I also purchased a standing desk a few months ago and try to vary standing and sitting throughout the day.

Strength Training for Women

Contrary to misconceptions, my journey attests to the importance of strength training for women, especially as we get older. Dispelling the cardio-centric myth, I advocate for the holistic advantages of strength training — from bone health to sculpting a resilient physique. Don’t worry, you won’t bulk up. You’ll gain definition, and I love looking in the mirror and seeing defined shoulders and back. My genetics aren’t great in the thigh area, so I count my wins for upper body definition!

Reflecting on the evolution of my fitness routine, it’s evident that this journey is more than physical exercise; it’s adapting to the changing needs of my body, embracing holistic well-being. The key takeaway: personalized routines align with individual goals, promising a healthier, more vibrant life.

Don’t look for a quick fix. It’s about discipline and establishing a routine and habit that becomes an ever-present part of your life. Remember—eat, pray, love, work out. It’s a lifestyle, and it’s worth it.