Join Debi, The Mojo Coach below and discover 7 new tips towards your fitness success and why consistency plays a huge role!
Not seeing results from your workouts? Getting frustrated with finding the right fitness routine? The problem may not be with your fitness program but with a lack of consistency. Consistency is the key to making exercise a lifelong habit…and getting results. Here are a few tips to help you stay consistent.
1. Exercise in the morning. As the day progresses, tasks, chores, responsibilities and fatigue can often knock exercise right off the list of priorities. By exercising in the morning, fewer distractions come up and can help ensure you get your workout in. Not a morning exerciser? If possible, try to go to sleep a little earlier so you’re not skimping on your sleep. Then, set the alarm to get up 15-30 minutes earlier on the first day. Commit to a “no snooze button” rule and slowly get out of bed. Next, before you leave your bedroom, immediately put on your workout clothes. It gives you that mental push to get your workout in so you don’t reconsider or get sidetracked.
2. Have a plan to prevent boredom. Just as you get bored, so does your body. If you stay with the same routine, you’re body doesn’t have to work as hard to get through it and you won’t see the results you’re hoping to achieve. Could you have one routine for Monday, Wednesday and Friday and another for Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday? How about mixing it up with a variety of classes, DVD’s, running routes or fitness equipment? What about changing the levels of intensity on your treadmill by throwing in some sprints, doing some plyometric moves or jumping rope? By creating a plan to keep your routine fresh and challenging you’ll be more likely to stick with it, stay consistent and see results.
3. Set realistic and achievable goals. Your goals should be challenging enough so it’s something to strive for yet realistic enough so that you can enjoy the feeling of success once you achieve them. To have a goal of losing 20, 50 or 100 pounds or getting toned and bikini ready is great, but how can you break that down so it doesn’t seem like a huge mountain to climb? A simple way to do this is to set a yearly goal, then break it down to months, then weeks and finally into what you need to do each day in order to achieve your ultimate goal.
4. Track of your progress. If your goal is to lose weight or train for a specific event, find a way to track your progress so you can stay motivated and enjoy the feeling of progress. It can be as simple as marking days off a calendar, keeping a fitness or food journal, or creating a system of your own. It doesn’t matter how you track your progress as long as you keep it simple enough so you can easily add it to your routine and see how you’re moving towards your goal. There are also some great apps you can download which can help you track your progress along with helping to keep you motivated.
5. Keep it fun. Discover your unique “fitness personality” to create a program you find fun and enjoyable. Maybe that means a class, an organized sport, DVD’s, finding a like-minded fitness buddy, or loading up your IPod with upbeat songs and hitting the pavement. The more you learn about what you need so that exercise becomes fun, the longer you’ll stick with it and the more you’ll see results. It’s all about finding something you enjoy and creating a routine around it so you’ll look forward to getting your workout in.
7. Celebrate success. Once you reach a goal, even if it’s a small one, be sure to celebrate! Whether that means treating yourself to a new song for your music playlist after each workout, some downtime, a manicure, getting together with friends, new exercise clothes or equipment, it’s important to acknowledge and recognize your achievements. It gives you an opportunity to be proud of yourself and keeps you moving forward.
Just as the key to real estate is “location, location, location” the key to exercise results can be found with “consistency, consistency, consistency!” By working towards being more consistent with your fitness, you’ll be on your way to creating and maintaining that sleek, lean, toned and healthy body you want.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
What have you accepted in your life that took time, physically or mentally?
I have such big goals for my business and I also have a husband and 4 kids that come first. This often presents a challenge in business because while I love what I do, I simply don’t have the time I need to grow the business as quickly as I’d like to. I’ve made peace with the idea that because my priority is my family first, my business may take longer to grow and I’ve learned to accept it. When I get frustrated with the idea from time to time, I remind myself that while it may take a bit longer to achieve the results I want in my business, I’ll never live with the regret that I missed out on anything with my family because I truly am growing a family…and a business at the same time. It’s making for a longer process but one that works best for me.
What do you appreciate about yourself and within your life?
I’m absolutely doing what I’m meant to do, loving my work, the freedom to do my work in an environment that I love with people ready to take their lives to the next level. It’s also so great to be able to work around my families schedules. What I appreciate about myself is that I have relentless determination to reach those that need to be impacted by my message. It drives me to stay committed and to be the role model they’re looking for in a mentor.
What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What goals do you still have?
By far my most rewarding achievements is that I’m married to my best friend and getting ready to celebrate our 23rd wedding anniversary, we have 4 amazing kids, 5 loving dogs, friends I adore and a business that enables me to impact so many people both online and off. My upcoming goal is to host my first of what I hope will be many successful events with the first one this May www.TheMojoEvent.com!
What is your not-so-perfect way? What imperfections and quirks create your Identity?
I’m a big believer in “diving in and figuring out how to swim”. Taking those giant steps forces me completely out of my comfort zone and nothing has ever taught me faster than learning from my own mistakes. It puts me in a constant state of “rookie newness” but it also enables me to grow daily. As far as imperfections and quirks…hard to choose because there are so many! 🙂 My biggest one is probably that I have no patience. When a new idea is launched or birthed, I want to see it play out immediately and lose patience for the waiting period. I also have a very bad case of “bright, shiny object syndrome” so when I get a new idea, I immediately want to create a new program, product or service and would benefit by staying more focused.
How would you complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
Life. I know it sounds corny but really do. I’m sharing my unique gift, strength, talent and calling with the most incredible people. I’m in awe of their determination, commitment, persistence and success that comes with wanting something and being eager and willing to learn, grow and evolve. I also love that my 4 kids see the ups and downs, obstacles and opportunities, trials and triumphs that come with being in your own business.
