Fail-Proof Fitness Forum

Today’s topic. What do you do to ensure your health is a priority in life? 

PLAN. Sometimes regarded as a four-letter word (I can almost hear the groans). Our jobs require us to do it on a daily basis, yet so many of us neglect to plan the most vital part of our life. Taking just 10-15minutes to map out when and what is needed in terms of nutrition and exercise for the week makes the difference between sustainability and chaos. 

Planning Exercise for Success.

Determine how many times a week you need (read, not WANT) to workout. 

If it’s 3 times, then it’s 3 times every week. If you’re out of town for work staying n a hotel, research if there’s a gym there, or do a routine using your own bodyweight. Skipping out and inhaling Cheetos on the questionable bedspread is not an option. Set, and stick to it. 

Find the days and time. 

Once you’ve figured out your exercise frequency, book yourself in for a specific time slot. Saying ‘oh I’ll get three workouts in this week’ does’t work! One distraction and it’s pushed back. Laziness spills over to the next day. An unexpected meeting, a call from an old friend, and suddenly it’s Friday and you have yet to complete workout 1 of the week. Make yourself your own priority. So if Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 730AM are your confirmed exercise times, then you are booked, and unavailable for everything else. It takes time to get used to being selfish, but trust me, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself .. and those around you. 

Have your program ready before you start. 

Getting there is the hard part, but it’s definitely not the end of your planning. Just because you’ve allotted an hour for training, does not mean you’ve earned the right to be a lean mean fighting machine. Plan out what your program is. It need not be complicated. Maybe Mondays are Upper Body Strength Training days. Tuesdays can be Lower Body. Thursdays can be cardio, stretching, ‘problem area’ days

Have short term and long term goals 

Talk about motivation. Having goals will get you off your butt to pick up some dumbbells on those lazy, couldn’t be bothered, days. Why are you doing this? Weight loss, strength, health benefits. More specifically, how much weight? How strong? Lift the boxes of junk in the basement you’ve put off all winter? Maybe it’s climbing the stairs to work without getting winded. Work towards something. 

Mark those goals in your calendar, make it visible, and remind yourself. If you want to climb the eight flights of stairs to work by the end of May, circle that day. Maybe in April you will try four flights.

Anticipate inconsistencies. 

Life gets in the way sometimes, but don’t let it push you off the path! If a friend’s birthday dinner is Friday night, get an extra workout in that day. If you know you’ll be at work late all week, take 15minutes of your lunch break. If exercise wavers, be stricter with your nutrition to compensate. Every bit helps, as it’s healthier and safer than just throwing caution to the wind. How many times have you heard (or you yourself said), ‘I’ll start again tomorrow. Monday is ‘DAY 1’. 

Plan, and you’re DAY 1’s will disappear. Progress and success are results of being prepared. A consistently active you is for your own benefit! 

What’s your success secrets? What have you, or will you now, plan for? 
-Shannon