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Why every workout you do doesn’t have to be so hard

March 9, 2016 By Ashley 72 Comments

As I was walking down the sidewalk after taking a yoga class this past weekend, a woman who I didn’t know and who was also in the class, came up beside me. She said, “Have you ever taken a class with that instructor before?” No, I said. She continued, “Well I hadn’t either, and I would never take her class again, I feel like I need to go work out now. That was NOT hard enough for me.”

My response to this woman was to say that I felt like the class was the perfect sweat session for a nice Sunday afternoon — perhaps not the hardest power yoga class, but certainly a beneficial practice for the mind and the body. She didn’t seem to agree. She felt underworked. 

While I continued walking to my car, I thought about the fact that that woman and I both took the same one-hour Vinyasa yoga class, yet we walked out with very different views. And that’s likely because of our expectations. I wasn’t there to get totally worked, I was there for stretching, recovery and mobility. She was there to go hard.

Every workout doesn't have to be hard by A Lady Goes West

To tell you a little bit about the class we took that day — the instructor was thoughtful, she started our practice with an inspiring quote, she took our bodies and minds through poses slowly and purposefully, she provided options and even hands-on adjustments, she ended the class with a few minutes in resting position and closed out the hour with a follow-up motivational mantra. How could anyone not feel fantastic when walking out of such an awesome mind/body experience? Yes, we sweat. Yes, we stretched. Yes, we moved. No, we didn’t hit that breathless state of high-intensity interval training, and that’s okay.

Why? Because every workout doesn’t need to be high intensity. Every workout doesn’t need to leave you feeling completely drained. And every workout doesn’t even need to make you sweat through your t-shirt. 

But why would someone like me who teaches nothing but high-intensity group fitness classes be preaching to you that you should be OKAY taking it easy? Because it’s the truth.

If you’ve been reading A Lady Goes West for any length of time, you’ve seen that I am adamant about taking at least one full rest day (off of all activity) and including at least one yoga session in each of my weeks. While many of my workouts are one-hour intense sessions, some of them are shorter and some of them are low impact and low intensity. I try to have variety, and I try to make sure not every session is killer. That doesn’t mean I’m not challenging myself or that I’m just going through the motions when I’m at the gym (or at home), it means I’m consciously doing a workout that’s designed to get me moving, but not make me tap into that “all-out” zone, every single day. You know what I mean?

If you think about it, exercise is “stress.” Yes, it feels good to go hard and get in the zone, but not everyone’s body is designed to do that every single day. We’re all different. While one person can train for three hours a day, work a stressful job, finish everything off their to-do list and wake up at 5 a.m. to do it again the next day, some people can’t. Based on your body type, genes and hormones, you will have a different capacity for stress, both from life and from exercise. Just take it from this list of reasons to be careful not to overtrain. Too many hard workouts can actually cause negative effects. We all need to rest. 

What I’m telling you today is to be kind to yourself and to your body. While I’m not advising that you to sit on your couch rather than get moving, I am saying that choosing to go to barre class instead of a Crossfit session, because you’re in need of a less intense session — well that’s okay. And if you’re in love with super-tough workouts (like I am), it may mean reminding yourself that your muscles actually build on your days off. And light movement on the day after a tough workout actually helps to flush your muscles out as well. So if you take a day to just ride your bike or hit up a yoga class, when you’re back to the gym again, you’ll actually be more prepared for another tough session. 

We all go through plenty of hard stuff each and every single day in our lives, and your workouts don’t always have to be on that list.

Why every workout doesn't need to be hard ... #fitness #FitFluential #SweatPink Click To Tweet

(P.S. Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.)

Questions of the day

What’s your favorite “light” day of exercise?

How many rest days do you take a week?

Filed Under: Fitness Tips, Healthy living Tagged With: fitness, motivation, stress, workouts

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About Ashley

I'm a mom and fitness instructor in Charlotte, North Carolina. And A Lady Goes West is where I share fitness, wellness and clean beauty tips, as well as stories from my life.
 
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Comments

  1. Dani @ Dani California Cooks says

    March 9, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Needed this today! I was planning my workout for tomorrow and was thinking about taking a light and easy day on the elliptical, but I wasn’t sure if it would be “worth it”.
    Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted…WIAW – Traveling to OlympiaMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 9, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      Glad to hear it, Dani! If you’re super stressed, no need to add on to that with a stressful sweat session — some steady-state cardio is certainly better than nothing. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Annette@FitnessPerks says

    March 9, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    I love this, and I’m a huge fan of taking at least one full day off. Sunday is usually my day to do no workouts, and I love it. It rejuvenates me and I’m ready to hit it hard again on Monday. Great thoughts! xo
    Annette@FitnessPerks recently posted…Baby Lexi: 6 Months UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 9, 2016 at 7:52 pm

      YES! Sundays are typically my rest days too. It just feels right. 🙂 Good work on valuing that day of recovery.

      Reply
  3. dixya @ food, pleasure, and health says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    my light day usually involves walking or sometimes i will go to a zumba class. i have had similar experience like the lady at your gym..i go to the gym with an expectation thinking its going to be a weight lifting or yoga or whatever the case might be..and if they switch up the class/cancel it – im just bummed 🙁
    dixya @ food, pleasure, and health recently posted…How to Make Stove-Top Popcorn?My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 9, 2016 at 9:53 pm

      Well the class wasn’t switched in this case, she just wanted tougher yoga! I wouldn’t want a class changed either. And Zumba sounds like a fun choice!

      Reply
  4. Kristen says

    March 9, 2016 at 9:52 pm

    Great post! I actually look for yoga classes just like the one you took in this post – I love that both my brain and my body get something out of it, plus I get a bit of a rest from my tougher workouts!
    Kristen recently posted…Getting Ready for GNT Training!My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 9, 2016 at 9:54 pm

      Yes! It’s a great feeling to take a good yoga class. Have a great night, Kristen!

      Reply
  5. Amy says

    March 10, 2016 at 3:18 am

    My favorite light exercise is walking. I just love walking and love to walk my dogs, too. It’s so peaceful to me to get out in the fresh air, get some movement, and listen to the sounds of nature. I used to have the same mentality of the girl you mentioned, but, as I’ve gotten older, I realize it is just important to move your body daily.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:10 am

      Yes, Amy! It does take time to realize that you need those lighter days. Glad you’re enjoying your regular walks. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Patricia @sweet and strong says

    March 10, 2016 at 3:33 am

    Great post! Everyone needs a few rest days or light exercise. I typically like to go for a run on days I’m not lifting and I try to do one or two days of yoga to help stretch. I always feel so relaxed and flexible when I take these days and know they are much needed!
    Patricia @sweet and strong recently posted…How to Build the Perfect SmoothieMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:11 am

      Yes they are much needed, Patricia. Happy to hear you understand the importance. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Andrea @ pencils and pancakes says

    March 10, 2016 at 4:00 am

    I totally used to be that woman in your class! I wouldn’t “count” a workout unless I felt like I was about to die. Then I injured myself! Turns out it’s not great for your body to push that hard every day.
    Andrea @ pencils and pancakes recently posted…Pregnancy Update: 20-21 WeeksMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:12 am

      Unfortunately, most people don’t stop to realize it until they reach injury. Sorry that happened to you! 🙁

      Reply
  8. Marielle says

    March 10, 2016 at 4:18 am

    Now especially since I’m pregnant, I’ve been forced to take it easy- which is ok! I’m still exercising and getting my body moving most days and that’s important. On my easier days, I like going on a walk or doing a gentle yoga session.
    Marielle recently posted…29 Weeks Pregnancy UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:12 am

      Yes! You should definitely be listening to your body. I bet you know much more now your second time around though. 🙂

      Reply
  9. P.Jeanne says

    March 10, 2016 at 4:42 am

    It took me a long time to realize a rest day is just as good (if not better on some days) as a high intensity day. Now I’m very diligent about taking 2 rest days each week and I incorporate yoga/pilates 3 times a week. I’ve found this is what’s best for me, my body and my mind too! Your class sounded pretty awesome to me, especially for a Sunday workout; ) Thanks for sharing friend <3
    P.Jeanne recently posted…Momma Talk: Savannah 3 Months OldMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:13 am

      I’d like to do more Pilates, that’s for sure. So glad you have a good routine for you, lady! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Catherine Cormier says

    March 10, 2016 at 5:02 am

    Great post! It’s only in the last year or two that I’ve started to realize how important a lower intensity workout (yoga, barre, Pilates) is for my overall health. I always had super tight muscles (especially my IT bands) and I thought maybe adding a day of lower intensity workouts would help.

    At first I felt like I wasn’t getting in a good workout if I wasn’t sweating. Once I got that thought out of my mind, I’ve started to look forward to these workouts. And I’m really seeing the benefits! My massage therapist has said that my back and IT bands are in the best shape she’s ever seen them in and I no longer suffer from super tight muscles 🙂

    I typically take one full rest day a week and do one lower intensity day.

    I hope that all is well with you! Happy Thursday …. the weekend is almost here!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:13 am

      YES! I’m so happy to hear that you made a change and are getting benefits from it. Yes, all is well! I’m hanging in there with this busy schedule. Thank you, Catherine! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Heather @ Polyglot Jot says

    March 10, 2016 at 5:08 am

    love this post!! I actually shared my favorite rest day workouts/stretches a couple of weeks ago on my blog. I actually look forward to those lower impact days to stretch out my soreness and get more relaxed! Really well written post!
    Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…WIAWMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:14 am

      Thanks so much, Heather!! 🙂 Glad you shared some recovery day ideas with your readers. Great thing to do!

      Reply
  12. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:13 am

    TOTALLY agree– you know that I do! And I think that sometimes, fitness professionals are the worst about remember this!
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Transitioning to Spring Running in Prana Style (Running Coaches Corner)My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 6:15 am

      They sure are! But sometimes they get forced into realizing it. Better sooner than later! Have an awesome day, Susie. I hope you will teach your staff to go LIGHT sometimes. 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…Why every workout you do doesn’t have to be so hardMy Profile

      Reply
  13. Heather@hungryforbalance says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:22 am

    Great post Ashley!! Thanks for sharing.
    Heather@hungryforbalance recently posted…Friday Favorites #42: Weekly ReadsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Thanks for reading, Heather. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Megan says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:40 am

    I typically take 1 or 2 rest days just depending on how the week is going and what commitments pop up. I usually take an active rest day on Saturday and just go for a long walk with my puppy but I really enjoy doing a tough workout on Sundays. It just kind of makes me feel ready for the week ahead and like I finished out the week strong.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:09 am

      Excellent choice, Megan. It’s great to have a routine that you enjoy and works with your life. 🙂 Walking with the puppy is always a good idea too!

      Reply
  15. Cassi says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:52 am

    Sundays are my complete rest days. I like doing yoga or Pilates on my active rest day(s).
    Cassi recently posted…Cincinnati, Custody Issues, and Certification, OH MY!My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:08 am

      I usually go with Sunday as my rest too, Cassi. It just feels right. 🙂 Good work on maintaining those lighter days!

      Reply
  16. Catherine @ foodiecology says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:09 am

    LOVE this Ashley! I just wrote a similar post, but I love that yours (from the perspective of a trainer with lots of knowledge) details the importance of rest for your muscles.
    You’re right that exercise IS stress.
    I’ve been battling a cold this week, so I skipped my BodyPump or boot camp in favor of Pilates. Going into class, I kinda thought “this will be a pretend workout.” In the end, I did sweat a little (the room got hot) but it was my favorite workout I’ve had in a while. Sure, I love the feeling of busting my butt and getting good and sweaty, but my body (and mind) needs the lower key activity of yoga, barre, and just walking. My tense “all-day-at-a-desk” muscles needed Pilates and it made me realize I need more yoga/stretching in my routine, too.
    Thanks for this great reminder!
    Catherine @ foodiecology recently posted…The Power of a Single CommentMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:06 am

      YES! So glad you made the wise choice to do something less intense when you weren’t feeling well. It’s so important to listen to our bodies. And Pilates is VERY good for you — I wish I did more of it. Thanks for saying hi, Catherine.

      Reply
  17. Amanda @ .running with spoons. says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:33 am

    I’m a huge fan of rest days, and I’ve actually found that the more of them I take, the better results I get. I only put in a workout 3 or 4 times a week, and I’ve seen way more progress doing that than when I was pushing 5 or 6 days. I don’t think enough people realize how important rest is. Great post, Ashley!
    Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…mountain scenes, teasers, and what i do when procrastinating (ToL#173)My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:06 am

      That’s good that you’ve learned the right path/amount for you, Amanda. It’s important to know our own bodies and limitations and strengths!

      Reply
  18. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:51 am

    Great post Ashley! I do think there are just some days when you want to go hard and have a good sweat, but I agree it should not be everyday. It’s a good way to burn out and get sick.
    Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Chocolate Almond Joy Smoothie {GF, Low Cal}My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:05 am

      Sure is! I know you appreciate rest and listening to your body, Megan. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Emily says

    March 10, 2016 at 8:02 am

    Coming from a fitness instructor (you), that is really encouraging and such a good reminder for me. THANK YOU ASHLEY!
    Emily recently posted…TOLT: Trust And Intuitive EatingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 8:05 am

      You are so welcome, Emily! I’ve learned it for myself, so I had to share. 🙂 Glad you agree!

      Reply
  20. Ange // Cowgirl Runs says

    March 10, 2016 at 8:22 am

    Oh, Ashley, I LOVE this post!
    As a running coach, I’m adamant about rest days and not running every run hard. Our bodies need time to rest and recovery, and our bodies can’t differentiate between feeling stressed due to a workout and feeling stressed due to other stressors, so it’s up to us to try and manage it.
    Ange // Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Why changing your form won’t make you a better runnerMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:31 pm

      So true, Ange. Glad you see the importance in your sport too!

      Reply
  21. heather @fitncookies says

    March 10, 2016 at 8:49 am

    This is an awesome reminder. It can be hard to go from working out so much and getting in huge sweat fests to not having those and needing that reminder that it’s ok. I have been under tons of stress lately (husband was gone for almost 2 weeks- hello single parenting!) and some days as much as I wanted to work out, I knew that my body did not need that additional stress. We do have to make sure we’re listening and know that we can’t go hard all the time, even if we “feel” like we should!
    heather @fitncookies recently posted…A new appreciation for single momsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      It was smart of you to think twice about adding stress you didn’t need. Good work, Heather!

      Reply
  22. Alaina @ The Simple Peach says

    March 10, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Thank you for sharing this! It’s so hard trying to find that balance. It took me a long time to learn to listen to my body and do what I could when I could instead of trying to compare my load to others. It’s a balancing act for sure, but we need to give ourselves breaks. I think sometimes people do too much too fast then get injured or burnout too.
    Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…TCS NYC Marathon, All The Feels & Frank SinatraMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      You can’t compare yourself to others— that’s one thing I know for sure. We all have our own limits, but it takes time to find them. Thanks for weighing in, Alaina!

      Reply
  23. Samantha Bruce says

    March 10, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Love this post! I think you hit a very important point about expectations. You mentioned your expectations were met but hers were not. I think expectations from a class are extremely important going into group fitness. The same goes for the opposite, someone who is looking for an active rest day isn’t going to get it in a HITT class. You make great points and remind me to value the “Rest Day” as much as a workout. Happy Thursday!
    Samantha Bruce recently posted…Travel Thursday: What I’ve Been ReadingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:33 pm

      Yes! Rest and light days are very important. Thanks for saying hi, Samantha!

      Reply
  24. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth says

    March 10, 2016 at 11:46 am

    Love this! I’m the type that is constantly battling with needing to tell myself it’s okay to not work out every day, and it’s okay to have a rest day. Though I’m also the one that books no more than one workout a day… if I feel like it was too light or too intense for what I was planning, I definitely compensate the next day.

    Thanks for the reminder – we are all different and are exactly where we are supposed to be at this time in our lives.

    P.S. Yesterday’s post was about my top 5 fitness YouTube channels. Meet my way to compensate, because I know exactly what I should expect, ha!
    Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth recently posted…Wedding Planning UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:34 pm

      Haha good work, Jessica! I’ll check it out!

      Reply
  25. Jessie R says

    March 10, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    Fantastic reminders! I think we’ve all been that lady before. I know I’ve noticed improved performance reducing my number of intense workouts a week. Now I do PiYo and Pilates two days of the week in addition to more intense workouts other days. Sunday is usually my rest day with a nice YouTube yoga session at home :).

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:34 pm

      You’ve got a nice variety in your routine, Jessie! Good work!

      Reply
  26. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says

    March 10, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I love this! Some days just taking my son for a walk in the park is enough for me while others I want to sweat my brains out. In the past I’ve had trouble being okay with that, but especially after having kids, I’ve learned that some days just getting out the and ahving the intention and will to workout is what’s important.
    Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood recently posted…Prepare Your Blog for a BabyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 12:34 pm

      Yes! I bet having kids helps you be realistic with what your body and stress level can do!

      Reply
  27. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says

    March 10, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    I just can’t do yoga. I’ve tried SO many times over the years and I can’t make myself do it. I much prefer my HIIT and strength workouts and then taking a complete rest day or two rather than fill my rest days with yoga (which is what I consider it). I totally agree with you in this post, but for me it almost leaves me feeling more stressed out and frustrated when I do lower intensity classes haha.
    Erin @ Erin’s Inside Job recently posted…How To Change Your Internal DialogueMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 7:44 pm

      Hi Erin, Of course you should only do what you enjoy. I like to take a full rest day in addition to a yoga day — but I didn’t always do that. And no need to force yoga. It took me a LONG time to like it, but I know plenty of people who just DON’T want to do it. So don’t do it. Do what you like!

      Reply
  28. Hollie says

    March 10, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    This is definitely true. I feel like many times people believe they need to workout hard every single times and that is false. My running saw huge gains when I started running easier. I was able to run my harder workouts harder because I was more rested.
    Hollie recently posted…A Look at My Race MorningsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Hi Hollie! I’m glad to hear you saw some progress when varying the intensity of your runs. Keep up the good work! 🙂

      Reply
  29. sarah says

    March 10, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    I needed to read this today, thank you <3 exercise addiction is something I struggle with. I'm trying to learn to have a more balanced mindset when it comes to working out because I know it's so unhealthy to overdo it.
    sarah recently posted…Dreaming of TravelingMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Hi Sarah! Most people only talk about making sure you exercise, but you also need to make sure you rest. It’s GOOD for you! 🙂

      Reply
  30. Fiona MacDonald says

    March 10, 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Love this! I always need a reminder that sweat doesn’t always equal the best or toughest workouts. Sometimes our bodies and minds can be just as challenged in a light yoga class as it is in a high intensity class and I think our bodies need both! I have started taking more rest days ( I used to do one a week now I am at two) and usually one is an active rest day and one is total rest. I just found working out pretty intensely for 6 days a week was too hard on my system and left little time for anything else. Especially now with a baby I’m finding it fun to try more at home workouts or shorter workouts and trying to switch my mindset to moving any way is better than nothing some days even if my heart isn’t in it. Love this post so much! Thanks for the reminder 🙂

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 10, 2016 at 7:48 pm

      FIONA! Your body did an amazing thing by having a baby, so it deserves those two rest days. It takes us time to realize what’s right for us, and it’s good to hear you’re finding the right balance for you! 🙂

      Reply
  31. Kaitlin @ CA Endless Summer says

    March 11, 2016 at 11:45 am

    You make such a good point here. When I have gone to yoga, our teacher reminds us this isn’t a workout but a practice.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      March 11, 2016 at 2:35 pm

      Yup! Be present and enjoy it! That’s much note important than the sweat factor.

      Reply
  32. Laurie says

    April 1, 2016 at 8:01 am

    I try to mix up my workouts. Maybe weight training one day, barre the next, walking the following day, yoga the next, followed by the elliptical the next day, etc. Or sometimes I will do a little weight training followed by a little cardio on the same day. I do make sure that I do take at least one or two days off a week. If I didn’t get enough sleep or don’t feel good, then I may skip a workout. It all depends if I think the quality of the workout, my form, or recovery will be affected. Great tips, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 1, 2016 at 8:34 am

      Sounds like you have a good and varied plan, Laurie!

      Reply
  33. jill conyers says

    April 28, 2016 at 1:19 am

    I have a few clients that are stubborn about this. They want every workout to be hard. They’re coming around to the idea of smarter training. Slowly but surely.
    jill conyers recently posted…6-Week Training Plan To Run Your First 5KMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      April 28, 2016 at 8:21 am

      You are the voice of reason for them, Jill! Train their minds and bodies. 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Ashley. I'm a mom and fitness instructor living in Charlotte, North Carolina. I love to help you live a balanced life with no extremes, making sure you never skip a rest day. A Lady Goes West is where I share my workouts, simple meals, clean beauty tips and wellness insight with you. Find out more about me and stay awhile!

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I've got to be honest, I'm much more of a writer t I've got to be honest, I'm much more of a writer than an Instagrammer and many times I feel like what I want to share doesn't fit well into a grid. But I'm able to bring much more long-form content to my blog each week. Speaking of that, this week, I debuted a new series called "A Lady Goes West Advice Corner" which has been something I've wanted to put together for a while. In this series, I'm taking totally anonymous questions from YOU and giving you some neutral third-party advice on it all. Here are the questions I addressed in the first advice corner edition:
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-“I became a first-time mom last spring and am currently dealing with all things motherhood. How do I deal with my expectations vs. reality of being a mom?" (such a good one, and I've been there)
-“How do you deal with days when you don't love your body? I think we can all relate to looking in the mirror and being disappointed with what we see?" (this happens to us all)
-“How do you deal with comparing yourself to others on social media and not feeling like everyone is doing things better than you?" (spoiler alert: everyone has their issues that you don't see)
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The answers are long, they come from my heart, and I hope they can provide some value to you! If this is something you're interested in, head over to A Lady Goes West today to check it out, and you can submit a question for the next edition.
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Here's the direct link: https://aladygoeswest.com/ask-me-anything-a-lady-goes-west-advice-corner-first-edition/
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Have a great night, friends! And when in doubt, talk it out.
G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y!🎉 Who doesn't love a collagen g G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y!🎉 Who doesn't love a collagen giveaway? As a little thank-you for following, I wanted to do a giveaway of one of my favorite products. I've been using Vital Proteins collagen in my morning tea latte for years, and not only does the collagen creamer add a great taste, but it also supports healthy hair, skin, nails and joints too. Today, I'm giving away not only one canister of collagen creamer, but also a canister of collagen peptides to one lucky winner.
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Here's how to enter:
(1) Like this post.
(2) Follow @aladygoeswest and @vitalproteins.
(3) Leave a comment on this post tagging a friend who wants healthy skin and joints.
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You can leave as many comments as you want, and each one serves as an entry. You can earn an additional entry by sharing this post to your stories and tagging me. This giveaway closes on Saturday, February 27. The winner must live in the U.S. And this giveaway is not associated with Instagram. Good luck, and thanks for being here! 🙂 xoxo
HOME! We closed on and moved into our home in Char HOME! We closed on and moved into our home in Charlotte over the weekend, and we're so excited to get settled in our new neighborhood, city and state after many weeks of transition. In honor of this momentous occasion, I thought it would be fun to look back at the places Dave and I have lived together over the last 12 years. Here's what it has looked like -- and each place has been special for different reasons:
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-2009-2012 in a high-rise condo in downtown Orlando, where we lived when we got married.
-2012-2013 in a one-bedroom apartment in South of Market in San Francisco, which was always freezing no matter the time of day or year.
-2013-2014 in a tiny studio apartment in Nob Hill in San Francisco, which was only 550-square-feet, but we could hear the cable cars out of our always-open windows, so that was cool.
-2014-2017 in a two-bedroom townhouse in Walnut Creek, where we brought home both Rudy and Brady and had many sleepless nights.
-2017-2021 in a house that we owned in Pleasant Hill outside of San Francisco, which was across the street from a Starbucks so we went there way too often.
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And now we're here in Charlotte. It's good to be home! I'd love to know: Where do you call home?
Soulmates. ❤️ Whether you’re loving on other Soulmates. ❤️ Whether you’re loving on others or just yourself today, my little crew is wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Good additions! Even though I'm all about simplify Good additions! Even though I'm all about simplifying life, I also like adding more good, if there's room for it. And the last year has given me ample opportunity to make some changes and add a lot of good. Here's my super-random list of things I've added to my life in the last year that I now love:
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-Using oat milk as my milk of choice (it's literally the creamiest, and I can’t go back to others now)
-Choosing to be outside as much as possible (can't believe I stayed indoors so much before, never exploring the beautiful Bay Area and now Charlotte until the last year)
-Teaching and taking virtual fitness classes (I was a gym rat for years, and now I actually love to work out at home with my virtual fitness friends)
-Wearing my Apple watch for notifications so I don't always need to be on my phone and tracking some beneficial metrics (I've only had my watch for about 9 months, and I love to check my heart-rate and close my rings)
-Appreciating the ability to work for myself and giving myself friendlier deadlines (I've been my own boss for several years and used to be so strict with my deadlines, until I realized it was stressing me more than it needed to, so now I say no to a lot of things and only do what works well in my life, without adding too much unnecessary stress)
-Shorter workouts (full-hour workouts are a thing of the past for me)
-Wearing more colors (no more black uniforms every day)
-And more!
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I wrote a whole post about this topic on A Lady Goes West this week if this is of interest to you, and you can head on over and check it out. I'd love to know: What's something (random or not) that you've added to your life in the last year that you now love?
Over the weekend, I stepped foot into a big-box gy Over the weekend, I stepped foot into a big-box gym for the first time in more than 11 months. How did I feel about it? Mixed ... When we left California, gyms were still closed, and once we got to North Carolina, I was so used to not going to the gym, I didn't even think about going. After being here a month, I finally decided to get a guest pass at a gym near me, and I went twice. Here are my thoughts on the experience: 
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At first, I felt so excited to drive up and go in and work out in a big space with a lot of equipment and not be at home. But then reality sank in: Even though masks were required and there were signs everywhere reminding people, about half the folks in the gym had their masks off or had them down around their chin. Ummm, not cool. I get it, working out with a mask on sucks, but rules are rules, folks. I also didn't like that it was busier than I expected, and quite a bit of the equipment I wanted to use was occupied. That never happens at home.
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Overall, I'm glad that those who need to get to the gym are getting the opportunity, but right now, I think I'll go back to sweating safely at home for a little while longer. But at least I got my first locker-room selfie in almost a year. I'd love to know. Have you been back to the gym yet?
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A Lady Goes West is a personal blog meant for entertainment purposes only and does not serve as a substitute for professional advice from your own doctor, trainer or nutritionist. While I'm a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, the workouts, food and plans I post are what works for me and may not work for you. Please enjoy these stories and tips from my life, but proceed with caution. Also, know that affiliate links and sponsored posts appear from time-to-time, and I appreciate your support. For more information about how your data is stored, visit my Privacy Policy. Thanks for reading!

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