Spring Into Fitness
With the hints and teases of Spring in the air I know you're hearing what most are saying..."Oh boy! Almost time for swimsuits, picnics, tighter clothes...OH MY!"
If you're at all like me I half groan and half get excited. You mean my big sleeping bag coat won't be there to hide my burrito belly? That just doesn't seem fair at all. Visions of Summer dresses, flip flops, and beach trips definitely have been in my head, but so has the fact no matter what I do I just seem stuck and overwhelmed with my workouts. Not to mention my non-existent weight loss with all these hours and days sweating. Not everyone can just go run around a river and lose ten pounds. (I've tried folks and got INSANELY bored). You need to keep shaking your body up! It's the most complex relationship you'll ever be in. Same routine equals a boring life style. Would you keep a boyfriend or girlfriend if they bored you and didn't listen more than half the time? Pretty sure that's a huge NO. Instead of whining and complaining about it DO something. Here is a helpful list to help you start going up that lovely hill towards intense legs, trimmed thighs, and buff arms.
1. If you're a super organized person start writing down your meals in your daily planner as if they are as important to you as a doctors visit or date with a friend you just don't want to miss. Along with doing that try to make yourself have time to shop, prep, cook ahead of time so you can enjoy your meals. Start with your goal of doing this at least 4 times a week. Along with all the benefits you'll get from it your bank account will be thanking you.
2. Delegate! Delegate! Delegate! By this I mean get anyone close to you involved with helping you get to your awesome summer self. Your significant other, kids, roommates, close friends, whoever! Get them to help you prep these meals. A fun way to do it is have all your girlfriends over and have people bring a healthy recipe they want to make and a TON of Tupperware. You all will split up whatever you make and this will guarantee you have a different HEALTHY meal for each day. Not just some lettuce and tomatoes for lunch. Worse case scenario is you have to sneak into your Real Housewives or Grey's time to do all this. Horrible isn't it?
4. Don't be shy to ask for what you want or need. Not to mention don't forget to ask for help when you can. One of the many reasons people love CAC is because ALL the staff is always available to help you out. Trainers are always walking around, grab them! Then there's always the free evaluation session. While you might think you DON'T need training you just might be the person that DOES. Even if you just get a routine once a month, these are things that you may have never known existed! I, for one had no idea what an "elbow hold" was. Do you know what we did when we attempted this sans trainer? Held up our elbows convincing ourselves we were working our shoulders. The true elbow hold makes you shake, sweat, and work your abs. By giving up one little hour of shopping time we met with a trainer, got a plan, and learned how to properly do things the way they should be done. Who knew that just by reading all those fitness magazines you weren't a fitness guru. These guys have spent hours studying, testing, getting certifications, and working out more that we would ever think a human could. USE them! Ask your boss for extra time on certain days for a longer lunch so you can hop over to your gym or go running. Yes, it means coming in early or leaving late but it will be over before you have a chance to talk yourself out of it after work.
5. Make short term goals. Currently my groups goal is to do 100 crunches a day. These little victories will help you in the end. As opposed to saying I want to run a marathon or lose 50 pounds, these goals will keep motivating you. Not put you down if you have a bad day let alone a bad week. Run a 5k next month, do 1000 crunches a week, buy a new outfit (that's not ridiculous small, baby steps) but needs just that little extra push, keep these kind of things as goals. You'll see the process working and feel amazing seeing it happen. 
6. Get workout buddies. Even if it's just to meet up at the gym. This way you will be held accountable and will have someone else to answer to. I know I need multiple ones. Not everyone will want to hop into that RPM class with you but one friend will be that person. Make sure they are supportive but not too pushy. That they understand your goals and know how you want them to help you. Their job is to not make you feel worse about missing a workout then you already do. Never feel like you have to justify why you had to work late or miss our yoga class because you just can't make it that day. You want someone who will help motivate you and push you to be a better you. All of this is a process and takes time. All the changes, sweaty sessions, jello legs will win in the end. Remember that! 
