By Gini Dietrich
Earlier this week, I had a meltdown around 4 p.m. I started to cry uncontrollably, for no apparent reason.
For those of you who know me personally, you know that’s completely atypical. I’m like a guy when it comes to emotions…I just don’t show them.
UNLESS.
I’m overly tired or overly stressed.
This summer has been a crazy one. Summer is typically really slow so we close on Friday afternoons and use the time to catch up on the things we want to do here at Spin Sucks that we don’t have time to do during the rest of the year.
Not this year.
A Nice Problem to Have…But Still a Problem
This year has been insane, which is both good and bad.
You know, a nice problem to have, but still a problem.
There have been no Friday afternoon closings, no hundred mile bike rides, no working on my tan.
I much prefer that to the alternative, but it’s been stressful.
And I had a meltdown.
So I stopped what I was doing and went for a bike ride.
A really hard bike ride…I rode in my VO2 Max heart rate zone for a good 50 minutes.
And then I sat back down at my desk, completely refreshed and ready to finish the work that I owed a client.
How Executives Stay in Shape
If, like we are wont to do (particularly in the U.S.), I had just sat here until it was quitting time, I wouldn’t have finished my work and I’d probably still be crying.
That’s why I was interested to read, What 12 Powerful Tech Execs Do to Stay in Shape.
They looked at everyone from Mark Zuckerberg and Tim Cook to Mark Cuban and Alexa von Tobel.
What they found in common with all of these tech executives is they make time to exercise at least twice a week, while most are highly competitive, both inside and outside of the office.
von Tobel, the founder and CEO of LearnVest, told Business Insider:
I’m healthier, I’m happier, I sleep better. And all of that is important. When my life is better, my company is better.
I do my exercise in the morning, and often I’ll take someone from my team. The person I’m meeting with can pick the class, whether it’s a spin or barre class, or going for a power walk. It’s hard to run and talk—I haven’t mastered that yet.
Just the other day, I had a call with Aly Saxe and I asked her if we could have a walking meeting.
I walked while on the phone and I found I was much more engaged with her. There weren’t any distractions, such as email or text messages flying across my computer screen. The only thing I had to worry about was looking both ways before crossing the street.
You Have to Make the Time for Exercise
People often ask me how I make time to exercise and I typically respond with, “It’s the same thing as brushing your teeth. You just do it.”
There are plenty of days (like today), that I have to do something other than exercise at 5 a.m. (like write a blog post), but I always make up for it.
Sometimes it’s forced because I’m going to have a meltdown, which isn’t good for anyone, but more often than not, it’s an appointment I’ve made with myself that I do not skip.
It’s on my calendar so nothing gets booked at the same time.
Today? Today I have meetings from 7:00-11:00 and then I have a break until 1:00. I will be riding from 11:00-12:00 and then I will be back at my desk, ready to take on the rest of my meetings and be highly productive (though I’m going to work ridiculously fast so I can go back to reading The Girl in the Spider’s Web).
It’s hard to make the time. It’s hard to keep a routine. But when you do it, not only are you fit and you sleep better and you feel better, you do a much better job at work.
image: Riding a rented bike that is way too big for me 150 miles in the Rocky Mountains.
So much yes to this. I especially love the idea of integrating some movement/exercise into your work relationships. It’s easy for a place to pay for someone’s gym membership but an entirely different (and more powerful) thing to do something movement-based together!
I am in a love/hate relationship with exercising. Every time I get into a routine and exercise daily I am like you said: feel better, sleep better, more positive, happier. I mean, I don´t necessarily love exercising, but I do love how I feel after it. But, this summer was crazy for me too: lots of projects, super hot weather which didn´t allow me to run outside (long walks were a poor replacement) and I didn´t get to exercise like I planned to. Now, that good weather came back, I started eating better and will incorporate gym time in my daily rituals.
Looking forward to getting my energy back!
I made the commitment to myself that I was going to start doing something – anything – because the nature of our business means you’re on your tail 60% of the day and on your back the other 40% sleeping. My youngest gets dropped off at school at 7:10 so I’m going to the Y right after leaving her and can work out for an hour and still be back at my desk by 8:30. I’m only a week in so I haven’t gotten the rush from it but at least I know that I’m doing something… for me and subsequently, for my family.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw a CRAZY busy summer. I mean, WHOA.
I block out 12pm – 1pm each day to practice. Even if I’m teaching a yoga class, I’m on my mat and engaged in the practice. So critical to my own inner strength and focus. My riding miles are down a little bit this year compared to last, but I’m still on pace for 4k by the end of the season.
You’re right – it can be difficult to settle into a routine around exercise and wellness in general, but I can’t imagine what my days would like without some daily sweat.
Thank you for being human.
This has been my biggest struggle since transitioning, and I’ve had my fair share of exhaustion-induced snot crying.
This was a great reminder for me today. I’m going for a ride this afternoon.
HannaLizKnowles SpinSucks Wasn’t it great?
samemac Yes! Especially because I also had a crying melt down last night, partly due to being off my exercise routine. SpinSucks
HannaLizKnowles SpinSucks With. You. It’s happened more lately than I would like.
samemac HannaLizKnowles Bahahahaahah! Being a girl stinks. SpinSucks
I hate to admit it, but I’ve been neglecting exercise lately. Loads of stress, coupled with insomnia and some family issues have led to almost zero exercise. Thanks for reminding me I need to take care of myself too.
Timely post, I always make time for exercise in the morning even with a busy schedule because if I don’t I’m not my best for people who rely on me and it’s just asking for trouble down the road with personal health. What I have found since re-introducing 5K runs into my workout, even with four min run, one min walk intervals to rebuild strength and endurance. I’m much more hyper aware and love post run endorphin high, I missed that.
BillSmith3 There’s nothing better than the moment that post run high hits ….
Exercise is hard. I prefer easy things.
I look at ours here…and no there doesn’t appear to be much exercise on many of the higher levels. Several layers below there is a lot and you can see the difference emotionally in those that do and don’t. I do, a LOT, and it helps me cope with the pressure of my job. Here a lot of poo rolls down hill and I feel that a lot wouldn’t if more people did something to de-stress and set their mind in a better spot. We have a great corporate gym that more need to take advantage of. I miss the little bit of extra sleep I could get, but I know that if I do not get up at 4AM and ride, it is going to be an awful day. And on forced rest days or the weather is bad, I can feel it when I don’t get my normal workout in. If it’s a day that has been particularly bad, I will bang out an extra ride when I get home or I’ll hit the gym and work my core until I’m practically crying but it all works because I feel better later. The 2+ hours of riding help me focus and prioritize my workload and lets me think on things that I just frankly do not have time to do during the day because I’m way to busy solving others problems and putting out fires. We did get a new director in my area that is like you and I. He’s new to town so i will be showing him the best places and routes to ride. So it’s good for networking too, which is something I’m just terrible at under normal situations.
travispeterson telling it like it is! 🙂
biggreenpen BillSmith3 I’m still having issues with a stiff left knee but it loosens up once I start running and I’m very mindful to stretch at the end.
Michelle Hals Taking care of ourselves should always be our number one priority and yet…
You do know exercise will take care of the insomnia, right? And the stress. And, and, and. I wish you were down the street from me. We could exercise together while discussing the merits of House of Cards.
ginidietrich this is HARD. But you’re right, it’s just like brushing your teeth. You just have to do it! It makes a huge difference.
It has been depressing to have a broken wrist and not be able to do much. I will be back at CrossFit before I know it. I have kept my diet on track, and as a result don’t have to lose a ton of weight.
I have worked for miserable people who could have benefited from getting out even if it was walking. They probably would have been nicer bosses.
K_Olivia_Ann It makes a HUGE difference. We all need to recharge our brains. It’s a great way to do that and be creative.
NancyDavis But your cast comes off tomorrow??
ginidietrich I wish tomorrow. It comes off on the 9th.
RIGHT ON. I appreciate you advocating this behavior. What I love about weights is how working against resistance is like training yourself to work through the harder things out of the gym. You can have a lot of drive, but lack focus, and fitness constantly nudges you to practice focus. It’s like they say about yoga – it’s a practice because there is no end to it – I say it’s the same with other types of exercise!
ginidietrich Yes!! I’m liking this idea of walking meetings. Trying that soon.
You need a month off.
I’m serious.
So a few of those names (I don’t know all of them) aren’t exactly physique specimens except for Tim Cook. When I think of Zuckerberg I think of McLovin or that other guy from Superbad. Maybe he hides an Arnold bod under his hoodie?
What real CEOs do is….botix tummy tucks collagen and lypo with some steroid circuits. Why work for what you can buy when you are rich?
ginidietrich Michelle Hals We do know that. The question is (in my case), why don’t I do it??? Why don’t I give it the same priority as work, for example? I have some unsolved issues with myself in this respect.
BillSmith3 biggreenpen I got a stern lecturette from my new chiropractor last week right after the “train wreck” and “do you ever stretch?” comments :-/
NancyDavis SUPER CLOSE!
I swim! There’s nothing like the sound of water to cleanse the psyche.
I try to get a couple runs, and a spin bike session, each week. I’ll also jump rope when circuit training. Then throw in tennis at least twice a week…and now trying to work on my crappy golf game before our corporate golf tourneys.
I could use one of those t-shirts that says “I exercise, so that YOU might live” – it alleviates the stress, reduces the blood pressure, and saves relationships from falling victim to the wrong words getting said.
You know, I’ve been feeling so rundown lately and I know that lack of exercise is part of this, but man is it hard to get back on the horse when you’re just tired. I have to fit at least a little something in or I’m going to be a puddle soon… 😉
KateNolan I WILL COME OUT AND MAKE YOU! I’ll ride my bike out there and meet you.
Corina Manea ginidietrich I know all about the wonderful things exercise does for me but somehow, like Corina, I don’t seem to give it the same priority. That’s going to change.
ginidietrich No, you won’t. I’m all the way out in, like, Iowa. 🙂
My coworking space is at a Rock Climbing gym so I’m surrounded by people getting in shape. It’s total motivation for me to carve out time to walk the treadmill, do a Frank Underwood on the rowing machine, etc. [Ironically, I have yet to rock climb.]
It was awesome to be on a walk with you Gini! Made me a little jealous as I have pushed exercise to the back burner. Maybe now that it’s cooling off in Phx, Abbie Fink will go for a walk with me. Abbie, what do you say? Let’s get the dogs and go?
ginidietrich SpinSucks Yet another post that went straight to the heart and mind. Glad you got in that ride. I need a similar long run.
RedPencilPR Go do it!!
dbvickery OMG! I want that shirt!
danielschiller I’m still laughing at your response when I asked if you swam in open water.
Howie Goldfarb Because muscles are way more sexy than being skinny.
AnneReuss And I’ve seen your arms…it’s not just training to work through challenges.
travispeterson You do not! I know you exercise!
M_Koehler You are going to ride with another person!? I cannot believe it.
samemac And you went for a ride last night. YAY!
jasonkonopinski I don’t know what is with this summer. So not normal.
KristenDaukas I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!
Corina Manea Don’t worry. Working with me will force you to exercise.
biggreenpen With the exception of one client, I try to do this with everyone. I really love it and I think the conversations are more engaged.
ginidietrich I’m trying, I’m trying. My summer was like yours. Fall more so. Good problems but..knock ’em dead with your upcoming talks.
ginidietrich danielschiller _ I said a lot of things. Was it that I veered off course and turned purple? That happened. I swim in pools, with filtration systems. I am a creature of man-made infrastructure, thank you very much.
ginidietrichYou are the only person lucky enough to have ridden with me.
“I’m like a guy when it comes to emotions” – hey I eat quiche!. Good piece on the critical importance of a work life balance, and how that balance can be subtly interwoven into the work environment.