I've lifted and set down more dumbbells, and written and rewritten more lines of copy about fitness, than I've had square meals.
Yet, lately, I've come to realize there is one thing I wish I had known when I first started out: not every session will be perfect.
I won't be able to lift heavier, run quicker and feel 10 times better after every session.
In fact, some sessions will absolutely suck. I'll feel weak, I'll feel sluggish, I might even have to tap out halfway.
But every session, every time I show up, every time I move your body, that all contributes to building consistency and a routine that gets me closer to my end goal.
This is something I've only understood of late—having grilled experts in the field and reflected on my own training habits across the past 15 years.
Early on, I was always chasing better numbers. I'd lose sight of the value of listening to my body, drilling quality technique, or simply establishing a routine I could stick to.
Occasionally, in pursuit of a new PB, I'd push myself too hard when things weren't clicking—and instead I'd crack.
It's something I've been reminded of this year while nursing a temperamental back, probably caused by overdoing it in one session to make up for inconsistent training in the weeks before.
That injury came after I doubled up a 5K run with a full-body dumbbell workout, hoping to make up for a mostly sedentary week earlier.
Halfway through a set of overly ambitious renegade rows, something in my lower back pinged. It was my body telling me to give it a rest.
So now, I'm trying to remember not to chase perfection, but to accept imperfection.
To not overdo it, to not always go heavier or faster, but to establish a routine I can stick to that lets me move my body regularly most days of the week.
I might not achieve this every week. But that's OK too. Accepting imperfection is the first step toward building consistency.
To put this into practice, here are three things I'm now doing every day as part of my imperfect workout routine.
1. Morning pulse raiser
Some days I'll roll out of bed and do some stretches, push-ups or resistance band mobility exercises before my morning shower. Failing that, I'll try to do a 5-10 minute walk at a brisk pace to raise my pulse above resting.
2. Post-lunch walk
After lunch I'm trying to squeeze in another 5-10 minute walk, this time at a more leisurely pace, to aid digestion and help regulate my blood sugar levels to counter the post-lunch energy slump.
3. Pre-bed mobility
Even if it's just for a couple of minutes, before bed I'll try to roll out and stretch tight muscles or joints that have seized up over the day.
Slowing down, breathing deep and minimizing digital distractions has helped down-regulate my body so I'm better able to drift off at night.
It's not always perfect. But that's the point.
