Recently, I posted that I had been Struggling with staying fit in June. I was exercising, but, not as often, and not as intensely as usual. I’m feeling much more confident again now. I know the cause of this turnaround is that I have restored my integrity. Exercising and living a healthy life is one of my core values. Without it my integrity is challenged and I don’t cope very well with the affects of that loss of integrity. I’m not making myself wrong about this at all. It’s just life, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that life continually throws up challenges, and we cope the best way we can at the time. I’m pretty sure that when the virus first struck and I had to go into isolation, I really did need the break, but I became too comfortable, and let that break go on a bit longer than was necessary.
What is Integrity
I look at integrity ,as living life in alignment with your core values, that is, those things that are important to you. Two decades ago, I completed a one year leadership course that had a huge impact on my life. A major focus of that course was integrity. I came to see the importance of integrity, to living a balanced and happy life, and have never forgotten those lessons. I’m definitely not saying that I’m perfect, and live a life of perfect integrity at all times. Nothing could be further from the truth. Integrity can be a struggle at times. In the way I live my life, integrity, in relation to being on time, or doing what I say I will do, when I say I will do it, are easy ways to stay in integrity. Integrity to myself and to my values is much more difficult. But in my opinion, it’s worth making the effort. I know that I feel much better about myself when my thoughts and actions and my integrity are in alignment.
“A person with integrity demonstrates sound moral and ethical principles and does the right thing, no matter who’s watching…….To have integrity means that a person is self-aware, accountable, responsible, and truthful and that their actions are internally consistent” – www.thebalancecareers.com
How do you restore integrity
- Recognise where your integrity is out of alignment
- Understand what caused you to fall out of integrity
- Make a committment to do what needs to be done to restore your integrity
- Make a plan or set a goal to restore integrity
I was able to recognise very quickly where my integrity was out of alignment. My fitness routine was failing, and as a consequence I was feeling stressed, unhealthy, and out of control. It is very easy to understand why this happened.
After living a very busy working life, to find myself unexpectedly having to self isolate, was a shock. I didn’t just slow down, I almost came to a stop, which at the time was a good thing. Slowing down or stopping meant that I now had time to think about everything that was happening in my life, both positive and negative. These thoughts caused me much stress, and I allowed myself to wallow a bit, and become comfortable for far too long.
I’ve been in isolation now for almost four months, and, in Victoria, we are now having a second wave of the virus. It looks like isolation will go on for much longer, than we first expected, so I’m pleased to be getting out of this negative way that I’ve been living. I had forgotten about the main reason that I try to stay fit, and that is that I’m training for my retirement.
My vision of being retired is living a life of fitness, and having time to do this. I’d love to be one of those super fit grannies that we see on social media. I plan to use the next few months to work towards my retirement goal.
My Committment
I have made a commitment to myself, and I’m now making it to you, to do whatever needs to be done to restore my integrity. My new plan started on July 1 and that is to do some form of exercise every day, as I did before isolation struck. I have noticed that my fitness level has dropped so I’ve made provisions for that in my exercise plan and set new goals for myself.
I feel challenged and excited by these goals. Since 1 July, when I set my goals, I’ve been walking every day. On wet days the walking has been on the treadmill. It’s a different walking experience, but I love being able to do intervals with both speed and inclines. I have no excuse not to go into the gym, as I have a fully equipped home gym. I’m back to strength training now on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, gym work is cardio, which could be an RPM cycle class, or rowing or time on the cross trainer. It can also be a combination of all the cardio equipment that I have, which is my favourite way to do cardio in the gym.
Below is a snapshot of my past week in fitness, both walking and in the gym. The cycling graphic below came up a few days ago on my Facebook memories. It says it all about why I love cycling.
I’d love to hear of your self care tips for life for what is being described as our ‘new normal’. How are you looking after yourself while the virus is with us. I love reading your comments and promise to reply to all.
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Hi Jennifer, Congrats on getting back on track to achieve your fitness and retirement goals. Keep up your good efforts and results will come. I love the cycling graphic that you shared. I hope you join me next Sunday July 19 Wellness Weekend link-up. The optional prompt is A Fun Activity.
I’ve been disciplined with my self-care routine for a long time and I’m determined to stick with it during the covid-19 pandemic. The fitness activities keep me in a positive state of mind. I walk 6x/ week, do strengthening workouts on Mon/Wed/Fri, yoga on Tue/Thu/Sat. Since it’s summer where I live, I added cycling (5-6X/ week) and kayaking (2x/ week, weather permitting). I spend about 1 hour for each activity, except kayaking takes about 3 hours each trip. #lifethisweek
Well dthanks ne Batalie on the way you’re handling your self care during the pandemic. By the way I love kayaking but haven’t done it for a while
I love the quote that says, ‘The Unexamined Life is Not Worth Living” Plato, I think. Your fitness routine leaves me breathless. I do appreciate however, your commitment to integrity and your personal values. Michele
Thanks for your lovely comments Michelle and thanks for popping in again
She’s back! I’m loving seeing those totals racking up in Sue’s virtual walking thingie….
Hi Jo. I agree with you. I’m also living Fly into July. We have the best team!
Hi Jennifer – I’m so glad you’re finding your balance and what feels right for you in this new phase of life we’ve all been experiencing. I think this has been a time of transition for you – where you’re figuring out what you want to go forward with in the years ahead – and obviously exercise is a high priority – now you’re fine tuning it and it seems to be working well for you. Well done 🙂
Hi Leanne. You are right that I’m in transition. Part of the struggle is trying to create a new normal for myself. Baby steps.
Hi Jen – I can totally relate to the transitional journey – did it last year with work ending abruptly, did it again this year with COVID – and who knows what the next change will be that we have to adapt to! #MLSTL
It’s an ever changing world at the moment Leanne. Best to just “go with the flow”
I can totally understand this Jennifer and feel much the same. The slowdown brought on by the lockdown came to a complete standstill for a while there. I’m so glad to hear you are getting back on track and like the idea of finding your integrity again, that’s a lovely way to look at it. I also really like that bike graphic, it is all so true! Stay well. #lifethisweek
Hi Deb thanks for popping in again. I hope you’re enjoying your time in Qld.
I’m really happy that you’re feeling so well despite everything that’s happening. I’m trying to do something about my health and fitness and I know what you mean about trying to align the lives with are living with our values. It’s something I think I’m doing okay on in a professional sense – I’ve made changes to my life over recent years in that respect, but I’m yet to get there in terms of my health and fitness.
Hi Deb It seems that so many of us have put challenges at the moment. I think all that we can do is keep plugging away and doing our best. Good luck with it and stay safe.
Hello Jennifer. I’m happy to hear that you are getting back on track with your fitness. Actually, I guess in some ways you have always been on track with what was right for you in the moment, but I’m glad to hear that you are excited about your fitness goals again. I enjoyed reading your description of integrity. It gave me something to think about. I have also been getting back to a physical activity routine, and it feels good.
Hi Christie there’s probably no right or wrong at the moment. Just whatever works
I walk my dog every day and it helps to keep my equilibrium. My walks were limited for a few weeks after my mastectomies which was incredibly hard on me. I’m now back to my usual pace and distance and I feel much better. I know what you mean by living with integrity. It can cover all aspects of your life including your work and home life. I’m a nurse and I worked for 12 years in a job that sucked me dry and a lot of that was because they were a private hospital with a goal of making profits, whereas my goal is for patient care. That shouldn’t be sacrificed in order to make profits but it was in that place. Working in the public system is much more aligned with my core values. Thank you for your thought provoking article
Hi Christina I know what it’s like to work somewhere that sucks everything out of you and it’s not good. Well done on making a change to fix that
Getting back to what you know you needed to do and using skills and lessons learned earlier is testament to your dedication and courage. I don’t believe you need to berate yourself in any way. We were thrown very quickly into situations that were very challenging and full of unknowns. You actually did a wise thing. You stopped. Then you listened, over time, to your mind and body and then you were able to go again. That is great!
Thank you so much for linking up for Life This Week. Next week, the optional prompt is “whatever you choose” because I am focussing on Head and Neck Cancer: 29/51 Your Choice. Mine is: World Head & Neck Cancer Day. 20.7.2020. Hope to see you there. Take care, Denyse.
Thanks for your positive comments and support Denyse
Hi Jen, I wrote a comment when this first published but can’t see it anywhere? You made me examine what integrity means to me and I hadn’t thought of it in relation to my fitness routine or other personal things. You have really come back to basics and it is showing by your commitment to exercise and getting that mojo of yours back! I think you are a fit granny now despite having taken some time off. Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL and keep up the good work. You inspire me!
I’m pleased the post had you thinking Sue. Thanks for your support
Jennifer, How appropriate, the title of your blog and how you are in transition. You are right how it is an ever changing world. Words such as core values and integrity say a great deal. These entire last few months were a shock for most of us. A very inspirational post, Jennifer. Time for a fresh start for many of us. Thank you for a great post. #MLSTL
Thanks for visiting Erica. I’m pleased you enjoyed the post. I appreciate your nice words