Breaking the Routine for Health’s Sake

You know that quote about doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results? Well, Albert Einstein gifted us that pearl of wisdom, and he called it insanity.

I love that. What a beautiful way to define a word that very often has a negative connotation. Calling someone “insane” has all too commonly been associated with mental instability, but maybe all it boils down to is this – it’s time for a change.

I’ve been thinking about routine a lot lately, particularly how it relates to working out and living a healthy lifestyle. Some time ago, I decided to partake in a core challenge. I had a picture of said challenge saved in my phone for a long time, and just never did it. I discovered it again, and rather than freeing up half of a megabyte of storage on my phone, I decided there was no time like the present. For 30 days, I did what was spelled out for me and it was surprisingly really fun. I say surprisingly, because I’m not someone who enjoys at home workouts. I prefer being in a gym or a studio to my living room.

I love working out. I’m a runner and a powerlifter. I’m a yogi, I spin, I hike, and am honestly open to trying anything. I even took a trampoline class a while back. That was a one and done for me, but how else would I have known? Like many people, I can easily get caught up in a routine and default to doing the same thing over and over. While it’s worth congratulating yourself for being active regardless of what it is that you’re doing, your body gets used to things with repetition and you’ll eventually stop seeing results if you’re not increasing resistance, reps, time, mileage or varying your workouts. If you’re not looking to see results and are just trying to be heart-healthy, then great, but really, who doesn’t want to see some fruits of their labor? Am I right or am I right?

Change things up every now and again. Do the thing that scares, or excites you. Routine is deadly. According to Einstein, it leads to insanity. So take a few risks. Feel new things. You’re a runner? Find a spinning class. Love yoga? Try crossfit. You’re a carnivore? Eat vegan for a day. The animals will thank you. Our bodies and minds aren’t static; we are living, breathing balls of energy, and if we try different things, our bodies will evolve with us. You’re much more resilient than you think.