Routine: Like It, or Loathe It?

For being someone who’s not naturally a “planner” by nature and likes to go with the flow, I’ve realized how much I enjoy routine: Wake up, make coffee, create a healthy breakfast, train clients, grab snacks in the car in between clients, run, come home and make lunch for my husband and I, piddle around the house, and gear up for evening clients and/or activities with friends. I like routine because it keeps me disciplined, gives my days structure, and adds a more focused sense of purpose that being on holidays sometimes leaves behind. Today is a get-back-into-routine kind of day.

But first, some pics from last weekend’s fun event after returning from Newfoundland that definitely weren’t routine: A Taste of Calgary!

Wahoo!

This is a fun event around Calgary where you purchase tickets to use at different booths representing all the “best of’s” different restaurants in Calgary. Although not a cheap event, it’s great to sample a variety of foods. We hadn’t had lunch yet so by the time we arrived Mikey and I were ready to get our sample on, continuing the flow of the joy that sometimes comes with a break in routine…

Lunch sample #1: delicious chicken in panda leaves (Thai)

A GIANT bottle of ranch dressing...obviously.

Free spinach & cheese pizza sample!

yuuum: refreshing Mango Madness smoothie sample!

There were SO many good foods to sample! Nothing too unique or really post-worthy (although I also had some great Turkish coffee and Mikey some good ol’ perogies), but the sun was out, it was a Saturday afternoon, and we were all unpacked from our East Coast travels…those three things made the food that much better, I think! If you’re not already sick of photos of me with food, then by all means, continue browsing:

Organics Delivered...we're trying out their program!

Can't go wrong w/ice cream to finish off the day!

...didn't last long 😉

7 grain salad from Safeway for dinner with fruit around a campfire - beauty.

Soon enough the fun, the day, and the break in our routine was over. But I’m enjoying getting back into the flow here. I tried out a new Green Monster (recipe coming soon!), made some nutty granola bars (also coming soon!) and started training again – not only my clients, but myself, too! Although I’ve been running a lot, I had my first “real” workout in a while using weights and the TRX, and it felt great! Sometimes, even when you’re not looking forward to aspects of getting back into “life,” it’s good to get back in the groove and embrace routine.

So what about you? Do you like routine? How do you transition from vacation back to life at home? I’d love to hear what your strategies are if you have any tips and how you feel about routine in general – pros and cons? Thanks for your comments on my last post; they’re always encouraging to read. 🙂 As promised, a book review to come soon…today or tomorrow…including thoughts on going raw. Thanks for your patience – it’s a lot (of goodness!) to process. 😉 I’m off to train a client and brave the cold, gray weather outdoors.

Until then, live well and be well!

Bonnie