Adapting to Change
We’ve all been here before… You have a dialed in routine, you're feeling great, nutrition is on point, workouts are on point, sleep is great. Then *boom* your life suddenly changes. You lose your job, you have a baby, you move houses, you get a promotion at work, you injure yourself, or maybe the change is nothing extrinsic. You were simply one person at the beginning of your health and fitness journey and now you have evolved and changed. Your values and lifestyle are now different.
The challenge with life is that we’re always growing and changing. None of us are the same people as we were years ago. For the most part, we WANT those changes to happen, but it can be difficult to come to terms with these transitions. There’s a clear difference between stagnation and healthy rhythms. There are healthy things that we will likely do for the rest of our lives. That’s okay to keep some things the same. Sleeping good, eating the same healthy foods, working the same great job that you’re happy and content with, and staying married to the same spouse are ALL good things. Not everything needs to change and evolve constantly, that would be exhausting. Routine is good, as long as it leads to good things. However, when changes occur, adapting to these changes and being flexible is a natural response.
Flexibility in a routine and planning for it is a gift to yourself for when life goes a different direction than you thought.
Flexibility = longevity.
Why Routines Stop Working
It all comes down to change. Most people despise change. Change is hard and uncomfortable. The more you can practice being comfortable with change, the better your discipline will be.
People often feel like they’re failing when they used to crush their daily routines, and now they struggle to stick to it.
If this is you, maybe this is a sign that you have outgrown your old routine and it's time to shape a new one.
Personal Testimony: When I became a coach, Journey Training 10am class was my jam. I now cannot tell you the last time I was able to attend that class. Because of the change in my schedule, my workouts have been different. It might look like participating in JUST the conditioning and then hours later getting in a lift on my own. It doesn’t feel the same, I miss my old routine. However, I have to do what I can to move my body even if each day looks different. I still have a hard time with what my old routine was. I mourn it at times. I can still be hard on myself when I don’t feel like I'm crushing workout’s like I used to. I am still in the process of adapting to that change.
Key point: You’re not supposed to live the same routine forever. Growth = change.
Signs Your Routine is Ready to Evolve
You’re constantly exhausted or burnt out.
Your routine makes you feel anxious or stressed.
You dread workouts that used to excite you.
You can’t keep up with your meal prep or feel restricted.
Your goals or priorities have shifted, but your habits haven’t.
Takeaway: Recognizing when to pivot is a sign of strength, not weakness.
How to Adapt Your Routine Gracefully
Adjust your expectations: What worked in one season might look different in another.
Simplify your structure: Shorter workouts, flexible meal prep, modified goals.
Focus on non-negotiables: What small actions keep you grounded no matter what?
Think in phases: Your routine should match your current capacity and goals.
In a recent blog post by Tanner, “Not Too High, Not Too Low”, he mentions setting a minimum goal. Not every week will consist of 4 workouts, perfect macro hitting, 10k steps a day, 8 hrs sleep, etc. Set a, “if all else fails routine”: I will workout at least twice a week, hit my protein goal, walk around the block, cut out screen time at night.
The Growth Mindset Shift
Embrace CHANGE as progress, not regression.
The most successful people in fitness aren’t perfect, they’re adaptable and consistent.
Your health and fitness journey is LIFELONG. No crash diets here! Shift your mindset to *lifestyle*. This is simply how you live your life.
Encourage curiosity over criticism. Ask yourself, “What do I need right now?” instead of “Why can’t I stick to it?” Listen to your body and mind. If you are consistently filled with negative thoughts about yourself, THAT is a sign that something needs to CHANGE.
Closing Thoughts
Your routine should fit your life, not force your life to fit the routine.
Ask yourself: What season are you in right now, and how can your habits evolve to support it?
If you need help creating a new routine, ask a coach for help! We would love to help you! And sometimes that outside accountability will help you start your new routine/habits.
-Coach Bailey