Question: What are you going to do for you this summer? Of course the typical summer fun - beach, picnics, pool parties, family time. But what ARE you going to do for YOU this summer? How about getting in the best shape of your life and staying that way? No, your age does not matter. No, your current weight does not matter. Yes, your busy schedule can be altered. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Hire a professional and make a plan. I recently used the analogy of interior design when explaining my training philosophy to a client. Just as you would not go into a new decorating project without first hiring a professional and creating a plan, I would not expect you to go into a new fitness program without doing the same. When I meet with new clients I view each person as a project and create a plan. Each individual has their reasons for hiring me. I create a time line plan based on client's specific goals - weightloss, better eating habits, proper form, sculpted arms, shoulders, legs, lifted rear, flexibility, defined abs, endurance training, help with motivation...whatever the case may be. Hiring a fitness coach is your best bet for getting results more quickly and efficiently. Be sure to find someone that is compatible with your personality and someone that you find motivating and FUN. I have worked with some very technically savvy trainers that have no idea how to carry on a conversation - let me tell you, that is no fun for anyone! When I train clients I know that I am part teacher, part motivator and often part therapist! Before each session I make sure to have our workout plan and fun conversation topics ready to go (Tiger Woods, poor guy, was a great source of fun for a short while!). It is also my job to be an attentive listener and let the conversation be about you, the client (trainers are notorious for talking about themselves you know). So go on, find yourself a fitness coach - you are worth the investment and trust me, you will be glad you did this.
2. Commit and get started. There is no better time than the present. Life is short. Live strong. One body, one life. Just do it. Get the idea?
3. Stay focused on your goal. Maybe you have hired someone to help you or maybe you are trying this on your own, either way YOU have to stay focused. A trainer can only do so much and the reality is that this is your life and your goal. You have to make the changes happen. Read your goal and your plan every morning, in fact several times a day if it helps. Make this your job and get it done - 3 months you can do this.
4. Know your weaknesses. There is great value in acknowledging your weaknesses and creating a plan to overcome them. Is 5:00 happy hour every evening? Make 5:00 your workout time. Does your car seem to be on autopilot ever time you pass fast food joints? Take a different route, or keep a stash of granola bars in your car. Hold yourself accountable for your weaknesses and best yet dig deep and find out WHY you have the weakness you do. You want to see real change? This will do it!
5. What are you afraid of? Often times as I hear excuses from clients and those excuses are really fear. Fear of failure, fear of success and then having to maintain that success, fear of change...Fear is real and it is also okay. Again, acknowledge it and make a plan on how to move beyond it.
There you have it, 5 tips to get you started on the new you. Start now and by the end of the summer you will have people asking you how you did it, and won't that feel great? Good luck, you CAN do it!
~One Body, One Life~
Jennifer
