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Stay Commited to your Fitness Journey this Summer!

Hi everyone! Summer is just around the corner, and I know how important it is to stay focused on your health and fitness goals. As a fitness professional and enthusiast myself, I understand the struggles and temptations that can happen during summer as I know some of you are off (teachers) and  some of you have kids at home.  With a bit of guidance and a little motivation, you can stay committed and make this summer your healthiest and most vibrant one yet. Join me, as I share my top tips for staying on track and achieving your fitness goals this summer.

Set Realistic Goals:
First things first, set goals that truly resonate with you. Take a moment to reflect on what you want to achieve this summer and why it matters to you. Are you looking to boost your energy levels, feel more confident in your bathing suit, or simply improve your overall health? Be specific, realistic, and consider your current fitness level. Remember, your goals are unique to you, and they should inspire and excite you on your fitness journey.
Craft a Fitness Plan:
Creating a customized fitness plan is key to staying on track. Take into account your lifestyle, and schedule. Choose activities that bring you joy and make you feel alive. Whether it’s dancing, swimming, hiking or anything that brings you joy. If you’re local, join us at the studio for classes, we offer in person or online.
Find Accountably.
Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can make all the difference in staying committed. Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for health and fitness. Sign up for workout challenges, accountability groups, or even reach out to friends or family members who are also working towards their fitness goals. Together, you can uplift and motivate one another, celebrating victories and overcoming obstacles as a team.
Nourish Your Body
Remember, fitness is not just about exercise—it’s also about eating healthy.  Fill your plate with wholesome, nutrient-dense foods that make you feel energized and vibrant. Experiment with seasonal fruits and vegetables, and try new healthy recipes. Treat yourself occasionally, but aim for a diet that supports your goals and leaves you feeling nourished.
Embrace the Joy of Movement:
Summer is beautiful in the valley. Take advantage of the warm weather by exploring nature and engaging in outdoor activities. Go for a bike ride, take a sunset walk.  The key is to find joy in movement and appreciate the wonder of nature.

Celebrate Small Victories:
Don’t forget to acknowledge and celebrate your progress along the way. Set small milestones and reward yourself when you achieve them. Treat yourself to a spa day, a new workout outfit, or a small shopping spree. Celebrating your accomplishments reinforces your dedication and boosts your motivation to continue working towards your goals.
Prioritize Self-Care:
Lastly, remember that self-care is an important part of any successful fitness journey. Listen to your body and give yourself permission to rest when needed. Engage in activities that promote relaxation and reduce stress, such as practicing yoga, meditating, or enjoying a soothing bath. By prioritizing self-care, you nourish not only your physical well-being but also your mental and emotional health.

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Keep going!

The hardest part of any fitness plan isn’t the workout.

The hardest part is staying consistent. Trusting the process, being patient and sticking with it until the end.

We all start excited and super pumped up!  We go grocery shopping to find healthy foods,  we buy shoes, maybe even buy new fitness outfits…. but three-four weeks in we’re stuck and unmotivated.

This is where the excitement falls off, the pounds aren’t falling off as fast as they were, you’re sore often, and you’d rather go back to your old habits.

This is when you need to call in for the help…

This process will help you analyze what you’re doing and get extra help where you need it.

First, do you like it?

I have always been a strong believer that workouts should be fun and  bring joy.  They should never be a chore. For me, I like the challenge and changing it up. That is when I see results.

Look at your current plan. Is there something about it that you hate doing? Something that you find boring? Something that you dread doing? Then STOP doing it.

Now, this doesn’t mean you get to just stop working out. For everything you take off, you have to find a replacement. If you don’t run, then do you like swimming?  Or walking? For me, hiking is my escape outside of the gym,  Group fitness classes is also my thing, there’s something about working out in groups of people that are like minded and share same goals as you. 

What is YOUR goal?

Just working just because is not something most people can do. Yes, once you’ve gotten in the habit, it’s so much easier to keep it going, but building the habit requires more than that to keep you going.

You need to spend the time to find your greater WHY.

I’m not saying you need to find your life’s purpose (although it’s never a bad idea to spend time reflecting on that), but you need to find a reason to stay active and the “why” you are working out in the first place.

Maybe you have a few pounds to lose.

Maybe you’re trying to get off some medication.

Maybe you are working out to help your mental health.

There are a lot of reasons, but just going to the gym to “feel good” is rarely a good enough reason for most people. I train a lot of people, and although it sounds nice to have that as a reason, it’s rarely enough.

You need a stronger purpose to pull you through those hard times when you want to throw in the towel. We all need a purpose.

 

Celebrate your little victories

First mistake, don’t use the scale to measure progress.

There are a million reasons that your body could have a different scale number than what you think it should.

Instead, keep track in a variety of ways. Like staying committed to workouts that you accomplished during the week, drinking enough water, not going thru the drive-thru, having less sugar.

Take pictures of your body. Pictures are SO helpful. Even if the scale doesn’t seem to be moving, you can visually see how your body is changing.

Measure parts of your body. This way you know what’s growing and what’s shrinking. Even if you can’t see the gains, measurements don’t lie. 

Try all these things before you throw in the towel on your new fitness plan. Never forget that mental strength is the most important strength of all.

Stay strong and just keep going.

 

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