I have a mantra I share with all my new clients. “Perfection is not required for progress, but consistency is.”
I like this phrase because it establishes the tone and expectations of our interactions right up front. Learning to encourage each other towards common goals is the key to continued progress in our healthy lifestyles.
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
That said, there is nothing more debilitating than excuses—and I hear lots of them. There’s no time to work out, gym memberships cost too much, effective workouts require specialized equipment, etc. But instead of using these arguments to justify sub-par outcomes, I choose to use them as minor obstacles to be overcome on our way to success.
Let’s break down those excuses with a plan of action! Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, so it’s just a matter of making your daily responsibilities fit.
I suggest you prioritize your workout like you would an important appointment.
Schedule It!
Schedule it in your planner, set an alarm, plan it around your child’s nap time, or just wake up a little earlier! It takes some trial and error at first, but before you know it you’ll be sneaking in sweaty workouts where you never thought you could.
Intentional Meals
Of course, smart nutrition plays a big role in breaking down barriers to success. Try to plan what you eat the same way you plan your workouts. More intentional eating means more control of food choices and portion size, and decreased reliance on less-healthy choices made just to get eating out of the way. With 20 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar,
ONE Bars are a perfect part of meal planning—just throw one in your bag for after your workout, and one decision has already been made.
Resistance Training
My Move Sweat Shred: ANYWHERE guide is specifically designed to maximize shorter time allotments while prioritizing maximum results by combining resistance training (bands) + cardio. The workouts range from muscle group specific to full-body and can be done at home or while traveling.
The benefits of resistance training are undisputed: increased metabolic rate, better injury prevention and quicker recovery than cardio alone. Even if you don’t have access to a full gym or lots of heavy equipment, it’s important that you are still investing in your lean muscle mass. Hope Fitness Gear bands and the varying intensities can replicate cable machines and dumbbells without weighing down your suitcase or taking up space in your apartment.
I was a skeptic about the intensity that bands could provide until I was forced to use them on a trip to China and Bali last year. It became very clear to me after a few circuits using them that using bands can be anywhere from intense to brutal. Instead of giving myself a free pass to take 7 days off my normal workouts, I adapted, prepared and got after it!
