Having a plan and sticking to it in life is way you prepare yourself for a successful outcome. I had a great opportunity to be in photo shoot last night for an up and coming competition suit designer (Perfect Fit Gear) I knew I needed to make a plan for my workouts and to still enjoy the summer lifestyle. When I knew my photo shoot was coming up I knewI needed to keep my cardio training and resistance training in check to get what I wanted out of my workouts. Nutrition has always been a key component in my lifestyle. Knowing what to eat and when to eat are the keys for success when you want to be happy with your body. When the shoot came last night I knew that I was still able to enjoy all the summer time fun and feel good about the way I look.
Which brings me back to having a plan and sticking to it. You wouldn’t build a house without a set of blueprints or save for retirement without a financial plan. Yet many of us embark on a fitness program fueled by good intentions but totally lacking in strategy. Sure, we want to look good and feel even better. But without a well-thought-out line of attack we make mistakes, become discouraged, have something come up like a vacation or wedding out of town, child is sick and then some will drop out of their working out, eating healthy, and the plan is put on the back door till you have the motivation comes back. Does this sound familiar? So what you need is detailed directions on how to get there: a good goal and the right plan with some extra support.
First let’s start with the workouts. Finding the perfect workout strategy remains a highly individual matter. Slimming down may seem hard because of time less spent with the family around or work priorities do it before work (you will think more clearly and be a better employee with a little workout in I promise!) or before the kids get up. If it is hard to get up maybe enlist in a gym with a day care so the kids can play and you can work out. Another option, designate a couple nights a week either doing a family run or bike ride (being healthy is a # 1 priority to your family, F.Y.I.), plus it shows your kids to be active. If you even are short on time try doing some interval training workouts mixed with high intensity workout on the treadmill or elliptical that can leave you sweaty and done after 20-25 minutes. No matter what your goal is, you’ll have to find a unique path that leads you toward that objective without unnecessary stops and side trips.
Second is mostly important. How you eat on a daily basis, I hate the word DIET it sounds like Death… I mean the first few letters say DIE. Yuck!! So I usually like to ask my clients how their eating or nutrition is going. First, this is a big one…nutrition. I like to say that because what you are eating should be nutritious. I will give some advice I give to my clients, are you eating because it is just there or are you eating it because your body needs it. For an example, does your body need that Twinkie or chips? Probably not, there is no nutritional value in it. If you are craving something carb loaded try grabbing a handful of nuts and if you want something sweet try grabbing some protein. I know sounds weird but try it when you have these urges because that is what your body needs. Now I know I may say these things and some of you are like “whatever” she eats clean all the time. No actually I don’t, I have some days throughout the week where I will eat a handful of chips (they are healthy one by the way) or have a glass of wine. But I don’t want to deprive myself either. If I’m close to competition I will have to clean up my diet because I have a plan of attack. I need to stick with this plan, so I’m determined to do it. Now if you have a plan, you need to think this way, you CAN do it. You Will do. Dream it and it will happen (wait is that in a movie…haha).
Another tip I will add is to write down your food in a journal or your phone, or on the computer it will keep you accountable (I recommend the app www.myfitnesspal.com), you will be amazed on how much that will help you keep you on track with your goals.
On to the third, you need support. This is a biggie, you need a cheer leader in your life to cheer you on for every big or little accomplish you have. Surround yourself with tools to help you with your journey. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Join an online community (myfitnesspla.com has a great one). Let people know your goals and ask for support in helping you achieve them. The more people you have to support you the better your results will be. Plus, when you share you passion and goals it may help others to start theirs.