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Why I’m Quitting The 6 Day A Week Fitness Grind

For the past few weeks I’ve been feeling like I’ve been lacking my normal motivation when it comes to my workout and eating routine. And I get it–motivation comes and goes and a lot of my fitness routine comes from habits that I’ve created. But, this time it feels different. I don’t feel the need to have my life revolve around my eating and workouts. And to be honest, I find myself getting annoyed when I see posts about being stressed during the holiday season because it’s getting you “off track.” We’re getting off track from having slightly more defined abs? I don’t know. I guess I’ve realized that I want my fitness and eating routine to help boost my confidence and make me feel better overall without being so fixated on the slightest physical changes…

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For the last several years I’ve been so focused on hitting my fitness goals. When I first started working out it was because I wanted to see physical changes–to feel more confident in my own skin. Over the years, I’ve achieved those physical results and I’ve also developed a love for fitness and working out. I also realized through my journey though that my confidence and happiness doesn’t come from how I look. With that said, I still have fitness goals regarding my aesthetics that I want to achieve from time to time but overall I am happy and confident with how I look and feel. And while I’ve achieved this state for probably close to a year–the last few weeks I have felt something new/different.

Recently, I haven’t felt the same desire or passion to get to the gym each day. Nor have I had the strong desire to hit my macros exactly (which I always  do lol). So, yeah. At first I thought it was lack of motivation and that I was just being lazy (which isn’t like me) but as time has passed I’ve been able to pinpoint what I’m feeling and it’s not lack of motivation or discipline–just a change in priorities.

I’ve realized that my priorities have just shifted for now. While health and fitness will always be a priority it’s just not my top  priority at the moment. In the past I would have my workouts and eating habits explicitly planned out. I knew exactly what workout I would do each day and I knew that I would be hitting my macros minimum 5x/week. And don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been feeling stressed or restricted doing this. This routine actually doesn’t feel regimented at all–it fit naturally into my lifestyle. But at the same time, I’m at the point where if my macros are off a few days a week its fine. If I only workout 4-5x a week it’s okay.

To be honest, I still have a hard time fully grasping and accepting this and I kind of realized that this wekend when we were in New York. I still have my moments where I see other women who have completely embraced their fitness routine and have these incredible results. Some days I still want that. Some days I’m like–that was my life for so long and I’m hungry for more of that. But then other days I just want to be “normal.” I don’t want to be so fixated on the grind of fitness and health that the other areas of my life start to be lackluster. And I realize that I can’t have my cake and eat it too. Granted, I think I do a pretty good job at sticking to my fitness regimen but I realize that I can’t do it all to the extent that I want to–something has to give. So at this point, part of it is a matter of filling my time with others things I’d rather focus on and the other part of it is having the time. Between working fulltime at the hospital and on my on my brand and blog, Stephen and I are also starting a podcast (surprise!). So, I just have to prioritize my time and my fitness regimens have had to take a “backseat” some.

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At first I thought that feeling this way was a weakness. I’m like, people come to me for health and fitness inspiration but am I still giving them that? The more I think about it though, I hope that this is encouraging to all of you guys trying to live a healthier life. I hope that it makes you realize that working out and eating “healthy” can be your main focus, or it can be something that you incorporate into your day to day but not devote all your energy towards. Whichever approach you take is fine. We all have different priorities and it’s okay for these to shift overtime. It doesn’t make you any less of a person.

Moving forward I’ll still be sharing fitness and heath related content on my IG and blog, but I’ll just be focusing more on my life in general. I mean, I’ve kind of already been doing this for the past couple months but I’ve always felt the need to post fitness type photos still. I would feel the pressure to because I had the mindset of “Well, I started as a fitness account and that’s what people come to me for so I need to keep up with it.” But, fitness is still a huge passion of mine and I love helping you guys and answering all your questions related to it. I feel like I can best do this over IG stories so I’ll probably be sharing more of my fitness and heath stuff on there and answering your DMs. And of course I’ll be sharing fitness related content on the blog too. It’s just what feels natural and what gives me the most happiness, and after my poll on IG stories last week, 80% of you guys said you prefer my lifestyle content as opposed to solely fitness. So, it seems like this will be a good fit for all of us! I mean, I truly believe at the end of the day most of us do want to live what is truly balanced lifestyle–and I think (hope!) that my content will really speak to how to achieve that 🙂

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Also, last but not least–how amazing is this Sweaty Betty outfit?! I’ve linked it for you guys below, and I’ve added some other cute patterns of their base layer sets as well.

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  1. Leo says:

    Trust me, I get it. When I was competing it was a grind, and I enjoyed it. I loved looking like a superhero but I never got to have fun with my friends and eat out, I was always watching what I was eating. I did 7 days a week haha. Sunday was rest/cardio and core day. But I’m happy I dialed it back to 5 and I’m happy that I can just live. So I understand that completely. I’m happy for you. 🙂 at the end of the day you are healthy, might as well be happy as well.

    • Claire Guentz says:

      yes–so you definitely get it! I guess there is a time and place for everything and everything has its advantageous and disadvantages. it’s nice to see both sides of it and know that the “grind” and results are always there if you want them! thanks for your comment 🙂

  2. Riley says:

    This is beautiful, I’m so happy for you & the light you are shedding on so many women ??

  3. Samantha says:

    I tend to think trends run on a pendulum. Right now, the extreme of uber-fit is “in,” but balance ALWAYS wins out. That what I’ve appreciated hearing so consistently in your content. I’m excited for this slight shift (and the podcast)!

    • claireguentz says:

      Yeah I agree! Overall if you’re too restrictive then you’ll never be able to stick to your routine. You have to do things that you can stick with consistently 🙂 And thanks so much! We’re excited to start it!

  4. Anonymous says:

    LOVE this and have already shared with people: “I hope that it makes you realize that working out and eating “healthy” can be your main focus, or it can be something that you incorporate into your day to day but not devote all your energy towards. Whichever approach you take is fine. We all have different priorities and it’s okay for these to shift overtime. It doesn’t make you any less of a person.”

    • claireguentz says:

      aw thanks so much! yeah I think somehow people think if you aren’t super fit with a 6 pack that somehow you’re not as “good” as someone who chooses to make fitness their ultimate priority. Different things work for people at different times in their life and that’s okay! 🙂

  5. Kylie Jensen says:

    Love this! I’ve been trying to find a balance with my fitness regimen lately and this has helped me realize that it is ok to not get my workout in every day. Life is about balance and I have been able to get good results tracking my macros 4-5 days a week and getting in 4-5 workout a week! After 1 or 2 rest days I always feel like I get more out of my next workout. I’m looking forward to learning more about your life style! You inspire me!

    • claireguentz says:

      Yes definitely! Honestly tracking macros and working out 4-5 days a week will pretty much get you the same results than if you’re doing it every day of the week–at least that’s what I’ve found also! You really don’t need to be super strict with yourself unless you have a big photoshoot or a competition–which most of us aren’t doing!! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂

  6. Emma says:

    I have never related to something so much and truthfully, I needed to read this even myself. I used to run a fitness IG and blog. I loved it because it was my passion as well but I noticed other things started to become more important to me instead and I realized how much pressure I was putting on myself to keep the accounts up to par (as well as my own physique). I resorted my priorities and let myself go with the flow more often which was such a blessing. Life became even sweeter.

    However with the holidays now and feeling “puffy” I noticed my mindset shifting again. I honestly came on your blog initially to read your macros post to re-do mine and start tracking/becoming more strict again. Then I came across this post and I think it was fate.

    Thanks for the reminder. I’m so proud of you and I hope you find complete balance and bliss as you take a bit of a step back.

    Much love!

    • Claire Guentz says:

      Hey Emma!

      I can totally relate. Having a fitness IG/blog plus being present on social media can really alter your priorities in a negative way. Sure, there are definitely others that provide inspiration and positivity, but it is easy to be extra hard on ourselves when we are so immersed in it. I still go through periods like you where I have moments of feeling like I need to be doing something to get in “better” shape but I remind myself that it’s unnecessary pressure and I’ve been happy! Anyway, so glad you came across this blog at seemingly the right time! Thanks so much for your support 🙂

  7. Shirley says:

    Yes!! This 100%. Im so happy you’re calling this out. I recently just made a goal to myself to work out less in 2018 – I had been doing 6 times a week, and realized that my workouts were affecting other parts of my life more than I wanted. I just found your blog, and I love your balanced approach to fitness. ?

    • Claire Guentz says:

      yes girl! I can totally related (obviously 😉 ) so glad that you’re making a slight shift so you can focus on other important things as well! thanks for much for your comment and support 🙂

  8. […] the past. Even in the last couple months I’ve become better with this (you can read details here). I’ve realized that while fitness is still big priority for me, its not necessarily my top […]

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