Like many, it was my New Year’s resolution to start hitting the gym again. But with a full class load, an internship, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities, I had no idea how to fit it into my schedule — and more importantly, what kind of routine I was going to maintain.
It took some trial and error, but I was able to create the perfect workout routine for myself after evaluating a combination of lifestyle factors, workout goals, and health conditions.
My biggest obstacle when starting was working around my busy schedule. Having full 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. days, I knew I was not going to want to extend my day by working out at night. As a morning person, I found that waking up extra early before class and work was the optimal time for me to fit a good workout in.
My evaluation has also helped me create workouts that I knew I could achieve in the one-hour-and-a-half block I created for myself each morning. I referenced different TikToks and YouTube videos to help guide me into what a one-hour workout should look like.
Another key step I took was setting specific goals for myself because outlining these goals allowed me to produce an effective routine to achieve these goals. I wanted to prioritize weightlifting, so now I concentrate most of my time on strength training, and then the remainder on light cardio.
The last aspect I considered when forming my routine was my health status or medical concerns.
Thankfully, I have never had any major injuries or chronic ailments. However, I do have PCOS due to insulin resistance, so this meant that it was important for me to have proper insulin intake prior to a workout so I don’t have spikes or drops that could affect my ability to continue a workout.
High cortisol levels — AKA your stress hormone — can also negatively affect my PCOS, so when it comes to my workout routine, I had to make sure I was incorporating low cortisol exercises, such as slow inclining walking, as opposed to high-intensity exercises like HIIT or spin cycling.
All these considerations combined formed my perfect routine. The key here is that it is mine and what works for me. Everybody has different needs and wants, which is the beauty of evaluating these various life and health factors to reach your fitness goals.