I have something to say.
At first, I wasn’t going to bring this up. I mean, this isn’t a fitness blog, after all. But for the sake of accountability and simply getting this off my chest, here ‘goes.
Other than walking around the city of Chicago, I didn’t do an ounce of exercise at the Healthy Living Summit.
No big deal, right? Sure. But I’ll be completely honest – despite the abundant presence of “not falling into the self-comparison trap” talk, I couldn’t help but notice that almost every single blogger other than myself was often out on a run, going to the gym, or going to some sort of class.
The thing is, I had every intention of working out over the weekend. I planned on going to Saturday afternoon’s yoga class, an evening kickboxing class, and maybe throwing in a morning visit to the gym. So…what happened?
Well, other than the yoga class running out of mats, I simply found other things that I wanted to do more than exercise. I constantly told myself, I’m only in Chicago once, and I want to take it in as much as I can. And in a way, I’m very glad that I did.
With that being said, though, that was the case for almost everyone! Yet they still found time to exercise. So, am I making up excuses? I’m going to say….YES.
Here’s why. If I had been exercising regularly this summer, I wouldn’t be giving my lack of exercise over the weekend a second thought. But the truth is that I haven’t been exercising regularly this summer. Since I’ve been living at the shore (excuse) without access to a gym (excuse) and I got sick of my at-home workouts (excuse), my time spent exercising has been almost non-existent over the past few weeks. To make a long story short: I allowed myself to get into a rut that I didn’t particularly care enough about getting out of. There, I said it. So that’s why I’m writing this post. I’m thinking, maybe the HLS was just what I needed to realize the rut I was in.
You might think I’m being too hard on myself. Please don’t. I’m actually really glad that I came to this realization and wrote this post. If I could go back to the HLS weekend, I wouldn’t change a thing. But instead of:
a) ignoring the fact that I didn’t exercise at a healthy living conference (which, is kind of funny if you think about it) or…
b) trying to convince myself that I did the “normal” thing and everyone else was crazy for spending time exercising or…
c) hating myself for not exercising as much as others did…
…I’m being honest with myself. I’m not comparing myself to others. I’m accepting the conviction that I’m in an exercise rut, but I’m acknowledging that that’s okay. However, I would like it to change.
Okay, that felt good.
Ta ta 
i am a big fan of the: notice it, accept it, move on strategy. it’s so much better than dwelling on the negative and feel guilty/beating yourself up.
i’m sure you’ll get out of your rut soon, and even though i wasn’t at HLS, i’m pretty sure i wouldn’t have fit in any exercise either.
I love you for writing this- so articulate and well thought-out. It’s awesome that you’re not beating yourself up over this, but instead just acknowledging it and trying to change it. You know, I kind of admired that you didn’t feel you NEEDED to work out over the weekend. While I’ve gotten much better about not pushing myself too hard, it’s still really hard for me to take multiple days off. So it seems we both have some work to do, just on opposite ends of the spectrum
I second the first comment. You realize that you’ve gotten into a rut, you are (I assume) taking steps to get out and all you can do is move on. If you spend time dwelling on “could haves” and “should haves” then you’ll get no where. You are awesome; don’t open the door to that negative thinking.
As far as HLS as a singular event I think its fine that you spent your time socializing and exploring. Let’s be honest - I would have done the same thing!
I wouldn’t have. Honestly I thought it was sort of….uhm annoying? That everyone was out running. Like “look how hardcore we are, we can’t even relax for a weekend! You suck!” I liked that you soaked up the city. Just for the record…
Awesome post! I felt the exact same way in Chicago, I wanted to see/try/do everything! But I think for me, half of the fun of exercising was doing it in a new place with new people. How many times would I get to run on the Laketrail? How many times could I go to Exhale and take an awesome yoga fusion class? To me, those were fun, not work!
I love this post. Instead of beating yourself up for not exercising every single day, you are completely owning it. I love the attitude of, “No, I didn’t exercise, so what?” Even more, I love that you can know you want to change it without putting yourself down over it.
I’ve always really admired your attitude towards exercise and how your life doesn’t revolve around it! And I think you’re taking a really good approach to your “rut” too. It’s great that you can just recognize it and decide to make a change without feeling guilty and stressing out.
I haven’t been exercising consistently this summer either. I pretty much have the exact same excuses as you and it kind of freaks me out. I’m not sweating too much about it (ha. ha) because right now my exercise is toned down a bit, but I know once I get back to school I’m going to be doing at least an hour of exercise a day.
this was a great post, and i think you struck a good balance between being honest about the situation, and not being crazy about it. i see a LOT of blog readers criticize bloggers for exercising “too much” or being “too extreme” and incapable of “relaxing” - and honestly, it sounds like jealously 99% of the time. i loved that you reflected on your own behaviour without idolizing everyone, or putting them down either. there is nothing wrong with not exercising, but theres also nothing wrong with exercising a lot, which is something that i read a lot. bodies are built to be in motion, so i get confused when commenters/readers insult bloggers for being extreme. sitting at a desk 8 hours a day? that is extreme. let’s be honest! so i commend this post for having a nice perspective.
You are amazing. I don’t have anything other to say other than I think you are great and I look up to you (though we are the same age).
What an honest post. Thanks for sharing your side of a rut. They happen to everybody.
Hi Gracie,
I can totally relate to your situation. I recently moved to a new city and started a new job. I have been exercising since I moved, but nothing like I did before I moved. I feel like I am in somewhat of a rut too!
And I applaud you for your honesty and openness! The truth is we ALL get into those stupid ruts. So you happened to be in yours at HLS, who cares. You enjoyed Chicago! That’s worth everything. And recognizing a rut can be the first step in getting past it. (Not that you need to!)
Great post
Always feels good to get things off the chest. I think if you were enjoying yourself that is great. And now you can work on getting back into a workout groove.
Great and honest post
I’m in an exercise rut too. BUT it’s all good
Life goes on.
I only exercised 1 time the 5 days I was travelling in Chicago, and I haven’t exercised since being home. I would have liked to have run at least once more, but I got sick (excuse). I’m not beating myself up for it though because I, too, felt that there was so much going on to worry about a few missed workouts. I’m not in Chi-Town every day. Great post, girl!
I applaud you for your honesty. if you hadn’t posted this, I wouldn’t have realized that you didn’t exercise all weekend.
and you’re right, Chicago is gorgeous, and worth taking in! besides, walking around the city can be a workout in itself!
oh, and by the way - your dark chocolate dreams blob frozen -best idea I’ve seen all month. it was so good, I want to go buy more (and the jar has been in my pantry for almost a year!).
Gracie, posts like this are why your blog is one of my favorites, ever! I really appreciate your honesty. It is funny, I was reading the recaps and was wondering that if I had been able to go to the HLS (living in Africa got in the way) what it would have been like, and I realized how much I would have fallen into the comparison trap, and perhaps left feeling worse about myself than I did when I arrived. And that is MY fault, that I still struggle with confidence in certain areas, but it is so nice to see that not everyone had to do every workout and that you enjoyed the city and sure, would have been nice to workout but it isn´t the end all and be all. Wow this is rambling, just want to say, you rock!
Love this post and your honesty! I didn’t exercise at fitbloggin. I told myself it was because I was sick, but I’m not sure I would have anyways.
We all make excuses sometimes, but I commend you for acknowledging them as excuses and not trying to justify them.
On that note, you’re beautiful. We all deserve a true vacation, even if that means slacking a bit with your regimen over a summer. Whatever you do, don’t get too down on yourself about it. Just pick up where you left off!
Just like everyone else said, your honesty is refreshing. Yours is my favorite of all healthy foodie blogs that I read because you’re so forthcoming and relatable. Thank you for not being perfect.
You make me love you more and more everyday.
Great honest post! Every few months or so I get into the same rut and would feel guilty about it. Yes exercise is a healthy way of living, but it’s something I want to enjoy and not feel obligated to do. I now work out for me, and if there is a week I am just not in the mood I don’t beat myself up about it anymore.
No Shame! You were at HLS for what 3 days?! You took time to enjoy the city and the company of others - that’s what matters! Glad you had a great time.
Such a great and honest post, Gracie! Your honesty is one of the reasons I love your blog so much! It makes you so much more relatable. You’ll find your way out of your rut when it’s the right time, your body will know. Good luck!
Chelsea
Other than going on a run around the city, I’m not sure I would’ve wanted to exercise either. I think you are right-you are only in chicago once! why waste the city, the people and the food with a zumba class you can do anywhere?
Hi love
I didn’t attend HLS (tear) but I can understand where you’re coming from. I probably would have stressed too but I TOTALLY AGREE with your reasoning of only being in Chicago once. And all of that walking around and seeing/experiencing the city IS exercise 
I get into no-exercise ruts sometimes. Usually I just have to think hard to myself, “WHY am I feeling this way?” Usually I am just too exhausted from school, lab, clinicals to even consider exercise. Then I come to the conclusion, “Oh yeah, life got in the way.” And I can’t really get mad at myself over that..
Have a great day ma dear!!
- Laur
I think you’re awesome for not exercising. I exercise regularly, but when my husband and family went on a cruise to Mexico this past May, I ran just one time. And that was okay. I know I could have done it more and not to mention probably needed to with all of that food I was eating, but to me, it didn’t matter because I was just living in the moment and enjoying my free time and family time.
I don’t really think you should feel bad about no working out over the weekend per se. You should workout whenever you want. However, workout ruts happen to the best of us. The worst is when you get sick though and end up in a slump bc of that. That’s where I am at now! Yeck.
I like that, there’s really no need to force yourself to work out if you don’t want to! Although I *tried* zumba and walked and did a little yoga while there, I felt the same way-I wans’t part of the runner/elliptical-er/gym go-er club while there. And… that’s okay! It was worth it because seeing chicago/having a great vacay > working out in a sweaty gym!
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“How many times would I get to run on the Laketrail? How many times could I go to Exhale and take an awesome yoga fusion class?” <— YES! Side note - I reeeally wanted to go to the yoga fusion on Saturday night, but got wait listed
Eh, I don’t think anyone was trying to prove anything. Running is part of some people’s lifestyle (and/or they were training) so that didn’t bother me at all!
just because YOU wouldnt do it doesnt make it wrong or annoying. people are MADE to move.
Oh, I know. I’m just saying that you and others that didn’t run just make it more of a mix. It proves that healthy living is not only done one way. Obviously physical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle but one weekend off never caused obesity.
Oh okay, got ya. You’re right - healthy living is definitely not only done one way!
Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I know lots of those girls are training or just get fidgety if they don’t run or work out. It was just me feeling intimidated by their determination, alright. No offense intended.
Thank you, Danielle! Your comment really means a lot.
“i loved that you reflected on your own behaviour without idolizing everyone, or putting them down either.” <— I'm especially glad that you came away from this post with that impression because that's what I truly did want to convey. I'll be honest - it wasn't easy writing this post because I worried that it would be taken the wrong way (i.e. I'm being to hard on myself, etc.), but it really was about *self-reflection.*
I do wish I expanded more on how I feel about the different exercise habits found within the blogging community. So, to be clear, I'm a firm believer that…*everybody's different!* As simple as that is, it's the truth! The majority of the friends I've made through blogging (ladies whom I love dearly) exercise much more than I do. Does that mean I care for them any more or less because of it? Of course not! I *admire* my friends and other bloggers who, for example, run races/marathons. It's crazy inspiring! But instead of comparing myself to them or going to the opposite extreme and "swearing off" exercise, I'm working on finding *my* healthy balance. And that is what this post was all about =)
Aw, thank you Megan!