Last August, I made the decision to start working out again. No, not true… in fact, I thought about it for a good three months before “doing it.” #anxiousmom So, when I showed up at the gym that morning, I was super ready.

I must say that I had prepared myself: my partner would now take care of the youngest's daycare (a huge weight off my shoulders). For my part, I would take my eldest to school on foot and I would walk to the gym (less than a kilometer). And to put all the chances on my side, I hired a trainer.

When I say I was ready…

I wanted to avoid the same mistakes at all costs—you know, paying for a year, being motivated for three weeks, and then giving up because it was too hard. With a coach, I told myself, everything would be fine.

Unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way.

After the first leg day , I quickly realized that this wasn't the right method for me. I was sweating, my heart was racing, and I almost fell down the stairs... because my legs couldn't take it anymore.

What followed was five days of intense pain, not being able to walk and having to walk down stairs on my butt. Five days of not being able to show up to the gym, despite my iron will. I was game over .

I remembered my goal. I wanted to LAST. I wanted to be able to move several times a week, with a smile and without excruciating pain. I wanted to rediscover the joy of moving like when I was little. I wanted to set a good example for my children.

Anyway, I canceled my trainer and decided to train at my own pace. I developed some little tricks to help me LAST, and I'm sharing them with you today, after seven months of training.

1. Forget selfies

The gym is YOUR time. At no point have I been inspired by a workout photo on Instagram. It only adds pressure, and I don't rush, I push through.

2. Listen to your favorite music

Sometime during the year, a gym employee started listening to rap music. I never left my iPod Nano at home again.

3. Dress sexy

Just because I'm plus-size doesn't mean I can't wear leggings and a tank top. Oversized t-shirts are just good for painting. 

4. Stare into space

Don't look at the fit girl who was at the gym before you arrived and left after you... Don't look at the guy who lifts weights bigger than your head by straining with his neck vein. Focus on you. You're standing at the gym instead of sitting at home. That's all that matters.

5. Escape the routine

Sometimes I just do strength training; I do a whole row of machines, then go back to the first one… Or not. Sometimes I just do cardio; I walk, I dance, I run… Or not. I use the elliptical ♡ When I'm feeling down (that one week every month…), I ride my bike. I hate riding, but I sit and watch TV. There are worse things.

6. Invent challenges

Do you know the 45 (or the 30 or the 15…)? It’s when I do 15 minutes of elliptical, 15 minutes of treadmill and 15 minutes of bike. Half and half is when I do 1 kilometer of elliptical forward, then 1 kilometer of elliptical backward (I think I’m such a badass ). I invent little challenges for myself to avoid constantly looking at the clock and, what’s more, it makes me laugh.

Ultimately, #slowgym is just a simple way of looking at things… as long as you leave your excuses in the locker room!