It’s that time of year when we’re making our fitness goals for the new year. I’m going to take you on my own journey with weight loss and what I’ve found has worked for me and how to stay on track with fitness.
Going into college I felt fit and strong, I had gotten into the habit of taking my bike to and from town my senior year of high school which was a 12 mile round trip. Then college happened, partying, the freshman 15, fast food, and everything else typical of a college experience. I definitely felt the difference and wasn’t happy about it at all.
I ended up making a friend that we started going to the auditorium on campus together where they had a pool, fitness classes, and gym. Together we got back on track, I started to see some weight loss which prompted me to get out of partying and clean up my diet. This is really where my love for health and fitness came from.
Another milestone in life happened and I ended up meeting my, now, husband Matt. At first we ate out quite a bit together and began to gain weight but turned it around pretty quickly by going to he gym together. We didn’t need to work out together but the extra accountability in going together definitely made a difference. I would hit the pool while he did weights or cardio.
Grad school was tough on me emotionally, my anxiety reared it’s ugly head a lot. So to combat the anxiety and just get through it, I put my head down, focused on my studies, and used the gym and walking my dog as an outlet for my anxiety. It worked really well for me and during that time Matt proposed which really had me wanting to get through school and get back home to begin our lives together.
Graduation came and I moved back to Kansas, started my life with Matt, and into my first post-grad job. It was an hour commute one way though plus I had to travel, which was hard on me. I maintained my weight by packing a lunch and getting a workout where I could but the stress definitely took a toll on me so I ended up switching jobs the following year that dropped my commute to thirty minutes one way which helped.
Pregnancy and children were also hard on my body. I’m still working on getting some of the weight off I’ve held onto since having my second baby. I started teaching a Body Pump fitness class at our gym which has been great for me.
Tips to Make 2019 Your Year
That’s one of the best tips I can give you. Find what works for you. That may be a gym, that may be a running group, a treadmill in your home, the gym at your friend’s house, whatever the path of least resistance is for you. Life is going to happen so being sure to find something that fits your life, not something you need to rearrange your life for.
Personally I love the gym. I like seeing friends and teaching a class adds another layer of accountability that is important to me. However if that isn’t an option for you there a so many list of fitness exercises and workouts on Pinterest, Google, or YouTube. Another really great option is Beachbody on Demand. It’s hundreds of fitness workout programs that you can stream from your home. I’m not affiliated with Beachbody in any way but I do really like that product.
Now you know my entire, almost 20 years, journey with weight loss and fitness. From college through grad school and now as an entrepreneur and mom.
When you’re talking about long-term weight loss and maintenance then you need to understand first and foremost that there are no supplements, pills, or shakes that are going to be sustainable. So make a healthy, full diet a priority. Cut out the processed foods, the sugar, stick with whole meats, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Use some kind of fitness tracker to help you stay on top of your calories in versus your calories out. My Fitness Pal is a great free option, FitBit, Apple watches, and various other HR trackers.
I believe in moderation. You don’t need to cut out sweets or carbs forever. Just make sure you’re consuming them in moderation and tracking them. If you are having a craving one tip I learned to help curb cravings is to drink more water. Always have a water bottle with you. Being sure to drink plenty of water will help you curve cravings and keep you from unnecessary snacking since your body is going to feel more full. Keeping a health journal is another good way to keep track of how you’re feeling, what your progress is, etc.
The biggest thing I’ve learned is that every one of us is different and what works for one of us may not work for me or the person next to you. Which is why I don’t want to tell you what kind of fitness workouts to do. Again, you’re going to have to figure out what you enjoy. Whether it’s Zumba, kickboxing, swimming, fitness workouts for women, whatever brings you happiness is what is going to be the most sustainable for you. So try different things, figure out what you enjoy, then do it and do it well. Challenge yourself, push yourself, and then your body will begin to crave that activity and exercise.
But first you just have to start. Your body isn’t craving that activity right now so you need to put your shoes on and just begin. Don’t say tomorrow, Monday, or next week. Just start. If you don’t start then you’ll never start.
Finding just a little time each to be active is going to make a difference. I know how hard it is with kids, a business, and a farm. I know it’s difficult finding a schedule that works but it’s so worth it. On the flip side of that once you find a routine that works if you must miss a workout don’t beat yourself up over it. It is not the end of the world and you are not a failure, just get back into it. Don’t make an excuse for the next time you can go. If you know you’re not going to be able to get a workout in then just be more mindful of what you’re eating. Keeping track and planning out your meals will help you so much.
Wrap Up
As you head into 2019 I hope these tips and tools help you to crush your health and fitness goals next year. Just know that you’re not alone and you’ve got this. If this episode helped you I would so appreciate a review on iTunes. It helps this podcast so much!
