With Halloween just around the corner and October quickly coming to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past couple of weeks and my new workout routine. Tomorrow will be just a normal day for me, with my usual Thursday food shop and no Halloween plans in sight. But it's also been exactly two weeks today since I started my new 7-day workout plan, and I’m really starting to feel the benefits.
For those of you who didn’t catch my previous post, here’s what my new workout routine looks like: Monday & Thursday: Upper Body Focus
Tuesday & Friday: Lower Body Focus
Wednesday & Saturday: Core & Conditioning
Sunday: Rest Day Rest days are crucial for recovery, so I’ve been thinking about incorporating more cycling into my rest days, but that’ll depend on the weather. In the UK, especially in late October, it’s not always ideal for outdoor activities. However, when I can, I enjoy leisurely rides along the canal—nothing intense, just some easy cardio, fresh air, and a mental reset. Since I first posted about this new workout plan, I’ve made a couple of small adjustments. They’re not major changes, just a swap of two exercises that I didn’t particularly enjoy for ones I like better, while still targeting the same muscle groups. It’s all part of fine-tuning the plan to keep it enjoyable and effective. I’ve always found that when I create workout routines, some things look great on paper but don’t always feel practical once I put them into practice. So, after a couple of weeks of trial and error, I tweak things to make sure the plan feels sustainable. The key for me is to enjoy what I’m doing because if it feels like a chore, I know I won’t stick with it long term. This new routine strikes a great balance—less exercise, but it’s much more manageable while still hitting all the major muscle groups. It’s made my fitness journey more enjoyable, and I’m actually looking forward to each session. What I’ve noticed most over the past two weeks is how much more I enjoy this streamlined approach to working out. Before, I sometimes felt overwhelmed with too many exercises crammed into each session, which made it feel like a slog. Now, by focusing on fewer exercises but maintaining intensity, it feels much more doable. Each day I’m concentrating on specific muscle groups without feeling burnt out, and I can genuinely see and feel the progress. As I continue with this plan, I’m always open to making adjustments as needed. I think it’s important not to be too rigid with workout plans—fitness should adapt to you, not the other way around. It’s one thing to follow a routine, but another to listen to your body and make changes when something doesn’t feel right or starts to feel stale. I think that’s the key to longevity in fitness—making it something you enjoy rather than a chore. In addition to the physical benefits, this new workout routine has had a positive impact on my mental health. Getting outside, especially on my cycling days, has been a great way to clear my head. The combination of exercise and fresh air works wonders for my mood, especially now as we head into the darker, colder months. I’ve always found that staying active helps stave off the sluggishness that can come with winter. Even when I’m indoors doing my upper body or lower body workouts, I know it’s boosting my energy and helping me stay positive. I can honestly say I’m happy with how things are going. I’ve got a routine that’s both effective and enjoyable, and it’s helping me stay on track with my fitness goals without feeling overwhelmed. I’m looking forward to seeing how I progress over the coming months. If you’re someone who’s feeling stuck with your current workout routine or finding it hard to stay motivated, I highly recommend giving a streamlined full-body plan like this a try. Sometimes, less really is more. I didn’t manage to write a blog post yesterday, simply because I didn’t have an hour spare to sit down and focus. Sometimes life just gets busy like that. Saturday started off as usual, with a bit of light cleaning around the house, followed by my morning coffee and the usual fruit – a bit of an effortless habit now. After that, I made sure to get my water intake in, along with my effervescent vitamin D tablet. I’ve been really mindful lately of making these little health-conscious choices; they’ve become so integrated into my routine that it feels weird if I miss them.
Once all that was done, it was time for my Saturday workout, which focused on core and conditioning. I’m really glad today is my rest day – my legs are still sore from leg day on Friday. Honestly, that ache you feel after a good workout is like a love-hate thing. It’s uncomfortable, but at the same time, it’s a reminder that your body is working hard and adapting. That little soreness in the muscles is a signal of growth, and in a way, I welcome it, because it feels like progress. I have to say, I’m much happier with my new streamlined workout routine. While it still manages to hit all the muscle groups, it’s a lot more manageable, with fewer exercises to fit in each day. That makes it easier to stay consistent, which is key for me. After the workout, I had my first proper meal of the day. Lately, I’ve been a bit on and off with eggs. There’s just something about poached or fried eggs that sometimes puts me off. But I’ve found that scrambled eggs are perfectly fine – I can manage them easily. So, I made scrambled eggs on a bagel with a little drizzle of BBQ sauce. Bagels are a fairly new addition to my shopping list. I never used to buy them, but since my daughter likes them, I’ve started picking them up more regularly. It’s funny how our shopping habits change, adapting to the people we live with. After breakfast and a nice hot bath, I had a bit of time to myself. I decided to spend about an hour playing Xbox, which is something I don’t get to do too often. It was a nice little break before the day got busier. My dad texted shortly after to let me know he was on his way over. We hadn’t been to the pub for a couple of weeks – mostly because the weather’s been pretty miserable lately. But surprisingly, Saturday was quite mild for this time of year. It wasn’t exactly warm, but warm enough to sit outside comfortably, so we made the most of it. There’s something nice about having a little catch-up in the fresh air, just enjoying a couple of drinks and good conversation. As I get older, I’ve come to appreciate these moments with my dad more and more. Our parents won’t always be around, so it feels important to make the time for them while we can. Life can get busy, but I always remind myself that these are the things that truly matter. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine and forget to slow down and just enjoy spending time with family. While we were at the pub, my daughter texted to let me know she was on her way home after staying out on Friday night. By that point, my dad and I were both getting hungry, so we decided to stop by the chip shop on the way back to mine. I was good with sticking to my 90/10 diet all week, so it felt nice to have a bit of a treat. We both ordered kebab meat and chips in a tray, while my daughter had a cone of chips. I’ve learned that balance is key, and the occasional indulgence keeps things sustainable. It’s all about moderation, and when you’ve stuck to whole foods most of the time, these treats feel like part of the bigger picture of staying healthy, both mentally and physically. Once we’d finished eating, my dad headed home, and I settled down for a quiet evening. I watched a bit of TV before heading up to bed. I wasn’t quite ready to sleep, so I decided to watch A Bronx Tale – an old film I hadn’t seen before. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a pretty good film. I love it when you stumble across a classic you hadn’t seen before, and it turns out to be a gem. After the film, I listened to my audiobook for about half an hour before finally drifting off to sleep. Today, being Sunday, I’m looking forward to a much-needed rest day. The house is all in order after a good clean yesterday, and since Sunday is my designated rest day from working out, I can fully relax. The weather is awful outside today – the kind of day where you just want to stay indoors, get cosy, and not venture out. It feels like the perfect excuse to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a slow day at home. I’ve been thinking about meals for the next couple of days, and I think I’ll keep it simple. I’ve got pork chops and some veg lined up, which should do for tonight and tomorrow. Then, I’ll switch it up to chicken and vegetables for the following two days. I find that eating these basic, whole food meals really works for me. It keeps things easy and straightforward, and I feel better when I’m not overcomplicating things with processed foods. This way of eating has definitely made a difference in how I feel day-to-day. Looking ahead, Wednesday is my daughter’s 17th birthday, and we’ve got a family meal planned at a restaurant next weekend to celebrate. It’ll be nice to have something to look forward to and enjoy together. Time seems to be flying by these days, and moments like these feel more important than ever. As for tonight, I’m not sure what I’ll watch, but I’m sure I’ll find something good to relax with before heading to bed. I think a quiet Sunday is exactly what I need to recharge and get ready for the week ahead. |
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