On most days, I love to bike along trails near my home, to help stay fit, to process events, and to relax by being in touch with nature.
What to do when something interrupts a routine that satisfies so many needs?
After a particularly exhausting day, I put on my helmet, jumped on my bike and started off. Click, clank from the front wheel. Maybe a bearing needs to be lubed, so I headed back to the house. Rather than giving up on cycling, I grabbed Bob’s bike, adjusted the seat height, and took off for a spin (with his prior okay.)
Do you rely on a specific routine to maintain fitness and/or to manage stress? What happens when that activity is unavailable when you need it? A zumba class is cancelled, the weather turns too nasty for walking, or pool swim lanes are closed?
Here are examples of my back-up plans:
- Too hot (or rainy) for biking: Use aerobic workout DVD or home treadmill.
- Too tired for a full workout: Ease up by taking a walk through the neighborhood.
- Yoga class is cancelled: Watch a Yoga DVD.
Do you have an exercise or stress relief backup plan to handle unexpected changes? Will your "Plan B" be as effective and enjoyable as the activity it replaces?
