Recently, I’ve been running about 20-30 miles a week. Staying fit while training can be rewarded, and you don’t need to have an all or nothing mentality all of the time! I’m not training for anything and depending on my schedule, many of my miles are indoors. This week when I have the most time, of course, it’s been over 90 degrees most days. That is fine, I’m not a pace oriented person, and the only time I’ve charged my GPS watch in the last few months was for hiking.
I’ve been running for just about a decade now. Usually, you can find me training for something, racing a few times a month, or injured. Right now, I’m doing none of those things. I rarely just take “me” time, and I never burned out until April. You can still stay fit while not training, and not everything needs to have “an end goal.”
Most weeks, though, I’m just busy. As a blogger, it can be tough to find: “stuff to talk about” which led me to how you can stay fit while not training.
As I mentioned, I’ve just been busy. This summer was extremely enjoyable and not much of that enjoyment had to do with running. I went flying around NYC and we’ve done a lot of fun and unique stuff.
So anyway, this is a fitness post…How Can You Stay Fit While Not Training?
I’ve been getting roughly 30 minutes of exercise in most days. Whether that is running, going to a class, or just taking a walk, I want to get some sort of fitness in!
As athletes, we often feel as though we have to be “hardcore training” or doing absolutely nothing and resting. I’m all for rest days, and I believe resting, in general, is undervalued but it doesn’t have to be the all or nothing concept.
Usually, 30 minutes of activity is better than none. Of course, there are exceptions (if you are tired, sick, injured, etc.) but it’s all about balance.
Here are just a few things I’ve been trying to incorporate into my week while attempting to stay fit while not training:
- Planning Ahead: Right now, I don’t always know what will pop up in my day or even week. I can plan ahead and know at least on weekends, I can get a longer run or activity in.
- Staying Flexible: As I mentioned, I don’t always know whether I’ll be able to have time to run until halfway through the day. I try to keep clean exercise gear in my car. If it means running inside, running on the AlterG treadmill, or running when it’s hot, that is fine. Staying fit while training is fun that way because you try new things. It’s also fine when there just isn’t enough time in the day. I try not to make that a habit but I don’t get bent out of shape when there isn’t time to workout.
- Catch up on TV and Run Indoors: Yes, I have a few guilty TV pleasures (including America’s Got Talent). If I can get everything done throughout the day, I dedicate the time to watching TV and running. The run goes by quickly, and I actually get to run. This is one of my biggest ways to stay fit while not training. 30 minutes of TV=30 minutes of exercise and still watching TV.
- Focus on Eating Better: Since I’m not running as much, eating better is a priority. When I do eat better, I feel as though I have more energy and can accomplish more too. Like fitness, it’s not all or nothing but I have been focus and prioritize on eating better. When you fuel l well, you feel better.
Conclusion:
Running and fitness doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can still stay fit while not training and heck, enjoy it! You can stay active without training for anything. Don’t get me wrong, I love training too but life is not an all or nothing mindset.
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Questions for you:
How do you stay active with a busy schedule?
How do you stay fit while not training?
I’m not training for anything now I’m focusing on return to health. I do run several times a week but not more than 5 miles at an easy pace as I strengthen my hip flexors and glutes. Fortunately for me I can get several days a week with 5+ miles of walking just at my job. I look back when I started this adventure and realize I was stronger and more fit when I cycled and ran. So I might incorporate some riding into my weekly routine in the near future again?
I’m not training for anything and it is quite enjoyable. I run easy (and so far injury-free!). When I was trying to do speedwork over the winter, I got injured 3 separate times. I’d run for 4 weeks (with workouts) 2 weeks off for injury, repeat that SAME exact cycle 3 times. Since I’ve been running 3-5 times per week plus cross training plus leisurely walking 5 miles a day, my body is very happy. I do enjoy the speedwork sometimes to change things up but my speedwork is mostly done on the elliptical machine (yes, I’m that crazy lady going a million miles per hour on the elliptical! but it feels good and gets my energy out).
I’m not training for anything right now either! I’m just focusing on getting at least 20 miles a week plus my strength workouts 5x a week. It’s been fun to just run for fun or however far I feel like going!
How do you change your eating when you’re not training? I know you said you don’t count calories, so do avoid certain foods in general or change portions? And do you do differently on the days when you do workout?
I have been running everyday for a few months now and as I try to settle into a more consistent schedule, I am wondering if I should change my diet on my rest days.
Personally, I eat less sugar. When running, I find myself getting a lot more dessert. When I’m not consistently running, I eat less sugar in general.
I think you’re doing a great job of staying active. There’s nothing wrong with not training; I feel like a lot of runners just run and don’t really “train” for anything unless they sign up for say, a marathon. Heck, I know a lot of people who’ve run half marathons without much training and you can certainly “get through” one. I know that’s not how you are, or how I am, but people out there do it.
Everyone has different seasons in life when running is on the back burner to other things. It will always be there and there will always be more races.
Great post. I love training, but I really do appreciate listening to my body and its needs when i’m not training!
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I have that guilty pleasure too (AGT). My kids and I got hooked last year. Lol. I can’t watch tv while I run on the treadmill though. Your plane ride looked amazing! 🙂
Do you like the show or Tyra Bank? I like both so it’s a match made in heaven Lol.
I like both. The looks that she makes when there is a terrible act are hilarious. However, I like the show better when it gets to the live shows. Lol!
Great tips! I’m running a little bit at the moment, but not as much as previously. Focusing on getting movement into the day is a huge priority for me.
I think movement is definitely key as well Pip.
Love your tip about eating better. I am currently dealing with a healing broken foot, so I have been trying to eat really well to keep up my fitness! 🙂
Oh no, how did you break your foot? Best of luck recovering!