How I’m Rebuilding My Fitness Routine Through All the Chaos

Last week, I found myself once again battling the alarm clock, trying to get up early enough to hit the gym and make it to morning prayers, something I’ve committed to since my mother passed. It’s been tough lately, as I’ve written in previous posts, and the fatigue has properly caught up with me.

To adapt, I’ve trimmed my workouts down to a maximum of one hour. But even that’s a challenge. If I wake up just 15 minutes late, I lose the window to train entirely.

Relearning That Short Sessions Still Count

In the past, I wouldn’t even consider a gym session under 90 minutes. On training days, I’d block out two and a half to three full hours, including travel time. If I knew I had less than an hour and a half to work out, which would rarely happen because I would make sure that I’d fit it in, I’d skip it entirely, it didn’t feel worth it.

But things have changed.

My schedule is tighter now, and that shift has forced me to rethink my approach. These days, if I can get 45 focused minutes in, I go. I stick to the most impactful exercises such as compound lifts, progressive overload, or whatever gives me the biggest return on my limited time. And as long as I get at least three solid sessions in a week, I’m less concerned about missing a day here or there.

Why Morning Training Is the Only Option, for Now

Since I began prioritizing morning training, I’ve realized I can’t train in the evenings. Not just because it feels off, but because my day is usually too packed. If I miss my morning slot, it’s hard to find another chance.

The only exception is Sunday. That’s leg day. Heavy leg training including decent squats demands full energy and focus, so I give myself the grace to train Sunday afternoon instead of early morning. Then Monday is always a rest day, my quads, hamstrings, and glutes need it.

Come Tuesday, though, I’m back at it with chest training. I don’t like taking two rest days in a row unless I’m traveling, so skipping Tuesday isn’t something I allow lightly.

Overcoming the Excuses, and Getting It Done Anyway

Last Tuesday, I woke up 15 minutes late. Not ideal. It meant I didn’t have enough time for my usual morning session before prayers. But I couldn’t let it slide. I didn’t want to fall into a pattern of skipping workouts just because I was tired or slightly off schedule.

So I carved out time just before lunch and squeezed in a quick session. It felt weird at first, midday training isn’t my usual flow, but it worked. My body felt less stiff, I’d already had coffee (something I never manage before an early gym session), and even though my strength still isn’t quite at its peak no matter the time of day, it was a solid workout.

Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection

What I’ve learned is this: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

The old me used to think anything less than 90 minutes wasn’t “real training.” But right now, consistency matters more than duration. If I can only get in 45 minutes, I’ll make those 45 count.

And when life throws curveballs, whether it’s grief, schedule changes, or late mornings, I remind myself that something is always better than nothing.