We’ve all heard of the saying “You are what you eat” but how about how you train too?

How you choose to stay active can speak volumes about who you are and the results you will achieve. Exercise is more than just working out – it may be your way of relaxing, decreasing stress, managing a disease or maybe even competing in a sport. It’s important to ask yourself why you exercise. And secondly, are the fitness activities that you choose helping you reach your goals? Tune in to the latest really, truly fit podcast as Jess and I ask you the hard hitting questions to help you discover your fitness identity.

As you listen to the podcast, be thinking about your fitness identity. Do you LOVE it? Why do you work out? Is your fitness routine aligned with your overall health goals?

If you’re asking yourself these questions but don’t have clear answers quite yet, be sure to check out all of the benefits and see if that can convince you.

Benefits of Fitness

Incorporating fitness into your life can have significant benefits that aren’t limited to:

• Muscle strength and endurance – which can help you in everyday life with things such as moving furniture, getting holiday decorations out of the shed, mowing the lawn, walking the dog, and even carrying heavy groceries.
• Disease prevention
• Mental health – Exercise releases endorphins that can reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression.
• Better sleep
• Decrease stress
• Increase energy
• Better physique

The list goes on and on. But there is no pill you can buy or all the money in the word that can do what fitness and healthy living does.

Still not sold on fitness because something may be holding you back? I bet we can find a solution for most of those barriers you have.

Common Fitness Barriers

“I don’t have any time.”

• Squeeze in short workouts throughout the day.
• Get up earlier. If your days are packed and the evening hours are just as hectic, get up 30 minutes earlier twice a week to exercise.
• Revamp your rituals. Your weekly Saturday matinee with the kids or your best friend could be reborn as your weekly Saturday bike ride, rock-climbing lesson or trip to the pool.
• Do double sessions. 15 minutes in morning and 15 at night – workout during the commercials of your favorite TV show.
• Identify what areas of your life you can cut time to fit in fit.

“It’s so boring!”

• Choose activities you enjoy. You’ll be more likely to stay interested. Dance, run, do karate, go rock climbing – Just get moving!
• Vary your routine. Rotate between your activities to keep your body guessing and to keep you from burning out!
• Join forces. Exercise with your friends, family or co-workers. It will give you a chance to catch up but also hold you accountable.
• Explore new options. You never know what you like or don’t like unless you try it! Learn new skills while getting in a workout. Check out various exercise classes, personal training, at-home workouts or online videos to see what you like the most.

“It’s just too difficult.” 

• Set realistic expectations. If your mental bar is too high, you might give up without even trying.
• Progress not perfection. Slow and steady wins the race.
• Get your family and friends up to speed on your goals. That way they will be more likely to encourage you and give support.

“I’m too tired.”

• Just get started!  Start with a walk around the block and slowly work your way up. 10 minutes is better than none at all. Once you get started, you’ll be happy to did.
• Work with your body, not against it. Plan your workouts for those times of day that you feel more energetic.
• Be sure you are sleeping! Shoot for 7-8 hours per night, sleeping is just as important as those workouts, if not more.

Tune in to the latest podcast to discover your fitness identity and start moving! Or call us to schedule a complimentary consultation and we’ll make sure of it.