By Jamie Bussin
I like my routines. I mean, I really, really like my routines: The bi-montly production of this magazine, the one week cycle for the production of the talk show, the daily morning walk with my dog, oatmeal for breakfast six times a week, etc. …and, also, my five weekly workouts, which other than when I’m really sick, I always do. Always. For years on end.
Except for the last two weeks. I only worked out three times instead of five. Which to the average rational person probably does not register as a problem. But it was. I have a love/hate relationship with my exercise program. It’s vigorous and exhausting. It also requires a Kabuki-like ritual of complaining to Naomi that I don’t feel like doing it, to which she responds, “but you’ll feel better if you do.” Which is 100% true and exasperating for her, because it is literally the same conversation five times a week. And, up until a few weeks ago, a self-fulfilling prophecy. Complain-Exercise-Enjoy Endorphins-Repeat.
I had excuses for missing some of those workouts. There was the three + hour Zoom meeting (so long that it required an intermission). Another day I recorded ten back to back interviews for the talk show (a high watermark for me) and was mentally frazzled. A graveside funeral also had me emotionally weary. On each occasion, Naomi inquired if I’d be working out (the first step of the aforementioned Kabuki dance) expecting me to kvetch, but then don the shorts, tee-shirt and cross trainers. I think she was surprised and a little troubled when I didn’t follow through. It got me thinking…which is never a good thing.
If you accept the extraneous factors as reasons for your actions, then they aren’t excuses. They become “rationale”. But, the truth is, that while those events all strained my mental and emotional wellbeing, I was physically able to exercise and still could have crammed in those workouts. I could have, and I know it. And I would have felt better having done so.
Why did I allow myself to alter my routine? Was it Covid protocol emotional fatigue? Was it a form of Seasonal Affective Disorder? Or was it a sign of something more serious? If I chose to not work out, I could just as easily skip the oatmeal. I could stop all the routines really. Excuses or not. A very dangerous train of thought for someone like me.
I was, and am, unable to come up with the real reason why I deviated from the routine. So I’ve concluded that it doesn’t matter. I suppose I could say that it was my body’s (or mind’s) way of telling me that I needed a break. I dunno. But ultimately, I decided that it was actually more important to try to get back to the routine as it is a crucial part of my overall health. So, this past weekend I did my usual workouts. With no recriminations. And I will make sure to follow through the rest of the week, and the week after that. This public admission is part of the process of getting on track.
For those of you feeling a little lost or in need of inspiration to keep up your health and wellness routines, I think you can find it in this issue of The Tonic magazine. Joel Thuna explains how natural supplements actually work in your body. Rhea Mehta explains how mantras can become part of your yoga or mindfulness practice and Carlyle Jansen describes six aspects of sexually healthy adults . As always, if you’d like to discuss this note or anything you’ve read in this issue, feel free to reach out to me.
