My Weekday Workout: 'I Do It for My Body and My Mental Health. Exercise Makes Me a Sharper Lawyer,' Says Kelly Preteroti

Kelly M. Preteroti, Baker Donelson, Baltimore.

Kelly Preteroti is a partner in Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz’s fiduciary litigation practice and focuses her practice on trust and estate legal matters.

Kelly M. Preteroti/courtesy photo

How often during the week do you work out? I exercise six days per week, with one rest day. I am religious about exercise. I treat it like an important meeting with myself that I do not miss.

At what time during the day or evening do you work out? I am a morning person. I go to bed around 9:30 p.m. so that I can wake up early and start my day. My alarm goes off around 5:15 a.m. most days. I drink a big glass of water and make myself a Nespresso. I try to read a morning devotional and journal for 10-15 minutes as I have my coffee. Then, I have a pre-workout drink and tackle my workout for the day. I always plan my workout the night before and often invite friends and clients to join me. I find that this keeps me accountable.

What’s your go-to routine? I am a Peloton fanatic, so almost all of my workouts are through its platform on the bike, tread and floor. I love spinning, running and lifting weights, and Peloton has an endless variety of classes that I can do from my home. With two boys, 7 and 9, having options to exercise at home during the workweek is a must.

How long does it take? My weekday workouts range from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how much time I have and whether I am working at my home office or in our firm’s Baltimore office.

Why do you like this routine? The variety! Cardio (i.e., running and spinning) is my default because of the endorphins that flow from these workouts. I love how I feel after I push myself: confident, strong and ready to take on the day.

“I often say that exercise is my therapy. I do it for my body, but more than anything, I do it for my own mental health. Exercise combats stress and anxiety, both of which are extremely prevalent in the legal field. Exercise makes me a more patient mother, a better companion, and a sharper lawyer.”

How long have you been exercising regularly? I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember. I played field hockey and lacrosse through high school and continued working out in college. I will say that I did not always love distance running. My husband is an avid runner, and he helped me connect and fall in love with the sport.

In what ways have you changed your routine during the COVID-19 crisis? I have relied on exercise even more to calm my nerves and restore my inner peace. I have also used it as a medium to connect with others, scheduling “workout dates” to keep in touch.  The pandemic has caused us to walk less, so when possible, I take conference calls on my treadmill.

How do you convince yourself to work out when you don’t want to? I tell myself to just start—that is really the hardest part. Once you are in it, more likely than not, you will keep going and finish.

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