What Does the Law of Inertia Have to Do with Working Out?

"An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion..." Newton's First Law of Motion deals with physics, right? I've found it also applies to working out and people's physical activity just as much. Are you more or less likely to go for a walk outside if you sit on the couch as soon as you get home or if you change clothes and put on your walking shoes? What about if you skip your workout one day? Is it easier or more difficult to do it the next day?

Today was the first day in two weeks that I worked out. Why? I love training. Ever since I've been isolating at home, I've been out of my regular training schedule. The gym is closed. I'm not signing up for specific class sessions, missing my private sessions, and don't have the tools to really work towards my goals at home. I not only lost my routine, but I lost my drive. And I don't like working out at home. I never have. I tried Instagram workouts, but for the most part I didn't like them. Two weeks ago, I wasn't feeling it, but got up to attend the class anyway. I said to myself, "I'll do the warm-up and see how I feel." Usually if I'm not motivated to train, I'll still go to the gym, do the warm-up and then I often end up having a really good session. When you don't want to work out or train, it is often when you need it the most. In normal times. At the gym. With real weights. Goals to crush.

Instead, that morning I was in my extra room in crappy workout clothes, not feeling well, and did the warm-up . The first superset including something I don't like to do because it's hard. My training space and weights didn't help either and it bothered my injured elbow. I tried a few reps and became frustrated. I can't remember what the second exercise was or if I even attempted it. I laid on my mat and just gave up. I thought, "I'll go for a walk outside later. And workout tomorrow." Neither happened. Every day, I had a loose plan to work out, but then it would get late in the day and it never happened.

Why today? Well, I had to make an appointment for today's workout, because it was on Zoom instead of Instagram. And honestly, I felt like crap when I woke up and even though I knew today was the first day of my new training plan, I probably would have skipped it or half-assed it if it wasn't on Zoom and if I hadn't "registered" for a spot in the class. I was tired. I didn't sleep well because of the storm and it was a perfect morning to relax in bed.

The perfect storm to get me moving again. I went to the strength class and it was exactly what I needed. Thankfully, there wasn't anything I hated in it, so I did it all. Every single thing. It was more difficult than it should have been, but I hadn't worked out in 2 weeks, so I deserved the struggle. Afterward. I felt awesome. It was great to be moving again. And, that's the feeling that's going to get me up again tomorrow for my Movement class. I'm now in motion again. And, I don't want to give that up. Sometimes all it takes is that one workout to get you back into the groove. Now, will I continue on until my gym opens again? I don't know, but I hope I will and I think I will too.

Why? I have goals. I'll write about those in more detail another day, but today I started preparing for my Spartan Race training. I don't do well with general workouts. I prefer to train for something. And, now I'm in training for a Spartan Race again. A goal. A purpose. Those make it easier to keep on moving!