Getting motivated to get back into shape is sometimes really tricky, even for self-proclaimed fitness buffs. There are times in your life when health and fitness are the last on the list of your priorities. Balancing the household, taking care of your career and keeping the family peace often get in the way of your “me” time.
While I was training clients at Snap Fitness, one of the little tricks I liked to use to get my clients motivated was to keep the workouts really fun. I would incorporate the activities my clients enjoyed as children into the workout. We never thought of skipping rope, playing hopscotch, bouncing a ball or jumping on a trampoline as a workout back then. My personal favorite workout includes using a mini trampoline right in my own living room while watching my favorite tv shows. The average person can burn approximately 200 calories per 30 minutes on the mini trampoline.
To stay motivated to keep going, fill your calendar up with fun activities rather than planned workouts. Aim to choose one activity as your base for your workouts and pick a new fitness class or dvd at least three days a week. Next week, for example, I have chosen to use the mini trampoline daily, but I am taking a Cardio Kickboxing class on Tuesday, Aquafit on Thursday and Yoga class on Sunday. This style of planning will keep you excited to try new classes and your body will never get bored with a workout. Plus, you can bring along a friend and make new friends in each new class. Now tell me that’s not the best part.
Well now we’ve got the fitness plan covered, how are we able to stay motivated to stick with a diet? Well that part, my friend, is the simple part. Instead of going on a “diet”, make a healthy lifestyle change. Lose the excess sugars by cutting out soda and high sugar juices. Fill your breakfast plate with half a plate of fruit for breakfast, along with a cup of hot cereal, such as oatmeal or cream of wheat and don’t forget to add some protein. My favorite way to add protein is to mix a tablespoon of peanut butter into homemade oatmeal. Yummy!! Fill your lunch and dinner plates half with a variety of colorful vegetables and split the other half with a single serving of whole grains and a serving of protein. Pretty simple, right? Now I know you are all wondering what about the cravings for sweets. We all have them and if you say you don’t, you’re either not human or not alive. I like to make a special dessert for two by slicing a banana into small round pieces and splitting between two bowls. Then I top it with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup and a handful of my favorite nuts. It makes the most delectable treat.
The number one step you need to take is to go through your social network, find your friends whom live close by and make plans for each of you to find a fun, calorie burning activity for your group to do. You will all gain a reason to be motivated to get moving, a special bond and all you have to lose is weight.
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