Happy December! (How is it December already?!?!) The years just fly by…but it’s nothing new, you’ve all heard this…and probably say it often yourself.
Time flies when your having fun!
I’m feeling extra sentimental these days, it must be me being one whole year older. Yesterday it was being thankful and reflective. Today..I don’t know what today should be labeled.
Today is December 1st. A new month and one month away from January 1st, New Years. Usually we look at New Years as a chance to start over. A chance to set goals for ourselves and commit to things like fitness and weight loss again. But why wait until January 1st? Every new day is a chance to make a new start for yourself. So us Fitfluential Ambassadors want you to take today by it’s horns and start your new journey now!
Fitness can be daunting to get into. People always ask me how I stick with exercising. First off, it wasn’t always so easy for me. My friends who I went to middle school and high school with KNOW that I HATED running. I would skip out on gym/ be absent/get doctor’s notes just so I DIDN’T have to run A mile. ONE MILE! I was never into organized sports. It just wasn’t for me.
I started to go to the gym in high school and started slowly with the elliptical and lifting some weights. I was committed. I started to LOVE taking new classes & trying new ways to exercise. I still love it. I loved the fact I lost some of the baby chub that I carried AND the energy I had.
Have I consistently stuck to exercising for the past 11 years? No, there were those gaps in college where pizza & beer looked and felt better…but trust me I did NOT look or FEEL better. I found exercise again in college when my jeans couldn’t have possibly “shrunk” in the dryer AGAIN. Although there were a lot of those moments convincing myself that they really did shrink. My mirror at college was always more forgiving than the one in my mom’s house.
With all that said…plenty of us need motivation to get started. That’s nothing to be ashamed about.
How can you get out there and start exercising? I promise you can do it! YOU CAN DO IT! (Did anyone ever watch Tony Little’s exercise dvds? No? Just my mom and I ? Ok…)
2. Get some DARN CUTE workout clothes! If you keep working out in those huge t shirts then trust me you will NEVER want to workout. Go get some cute lycra pants that make your butt look extra good and you’ll be admiring yourself AND feel more confident. Plus you won’t be soaking wet when you sweat.
3. Pull out your calendar, get a pen and schedule your workout in, leaving time for travel if you are heading to a gym, yoga or pilates studio. If you share a calendar with your spouse then make sure they are well aware of your schedule for the week. This will give them a heads up if they need to be prepared to watch the kids or prepare dinner. Get them on board because their support is just what you need!
4. Hours in the gym have you intimidated? Guess what? You DON’T need HOURS in the gym to get results. Start with 20 or 30 minutes of cardio, 2 or 3 times a week. Don’t over commit yourself and set yourself up for success. After you get into the swing of doing cardio 2 or 3 times a week, add in some days for lifting weights. You can check out routines in magazines, or from Shape, Self or Women’s Health mag. Fitnessista also has some awesome easy to follow strength routines.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
love this. especially the “darn cute” workout pants. i think that’s where my lack of motivation comes from–my never-ending supply of tshirts
Great post Nicole! I think just committing a little time for you is the best way to go. I love the idea of putting it on a calendar. Then you have a plan! It shouldn’t be a question either…make it a routine even if it’s just a little bit.
Love this post! I especially like the recommendation about getting cute workout clothes! When I get a new pair of running shoes or a new technical shirt, I just feel like I’m already getting in better shape and I want to get out there and show it off!
Thanks for the words of advice on how much time to spend in the gym. I always think of myself lower when I see other people who come to the gym almost every day of the week including weekends. I only go once a while. I lack the motivation to work out on a daily basis so I procrastinate instead. I will take you suggestion and not feel bad about myself.
Anna L.
LOVE this post!
LOL – absolutely with you on the cute outfits! Definitely more motivating and also 100% with you on finding something you enjoy. If you try to force it, you won’t stick with it.
Where do I get the workout pants that make my butt look cute?? Just kidding (sort of…) Love the tips!