When I was pregnant with our first child, I wanted to be active, I hired a personal trainer; she came for the initial assessment but never got back to me to schedule my workout. Since I was pregnant, I didn’t have the energy to find another trainer. After the birth of our child, I found another trainer and I really liked going there, but unfortunately, he had to close his studio due to some family obligation.
Fast forward to August 17,2017. I was on a lunch date with my husband, he took a picture of us and When I looked at the picture, I did not like what I saw. I was not happy with the way I looked. When I returned to my office, I started looking for fitness centers around our area at the time and I found my current fitness studio.
This month marks the fifth anniversary of my fitness journey, so I decided to share some tips that has made me successful on the journey so far.
1) Be Determined: This is something you will have to decide on your own. You must want a healthy lifestyle. You have to tell yourself enough is enough. You cannot just wish for it you have to be prepared to work for it. You must move pass being interested but invested in committing to a healthy lifestyle.
2) Find what works for you: There are so many ways to be active, find what you enjoy doing to start with. In my case, I tried Zumba first but quickly realized I like dancing to my own moves, so I stopped. I found Weightlifting and I fell in love. You can try running, HIIT, jump rope to mention a few.
3) Hire a professional: I cannot recommend this enough if your budget and finances allows it. It is easier to be accountable when there is someone to keep you in line. I have been working with a fitness coach for five years now and recently started working with a nutrition coach . It is a total game changer.
4) Make it a habit: A habit is a routine that allows you do things on auto pilot. Creating a habit takes time but once you have gotten the hang of it gets easier. Try habit stacking by pairing a none preferred activity (working out) with a preferred activity (Watching your favorite TV show) that way you can reward yourself with your TV show when you finish your workout.
5) Give it your all: The goal is to make it a lifestyle not a quick fix. The journey is not a linear one, there will be good days and not-so-good days, but they all work together towards your goal. Grace yourself on the journey and take it one day at a time.
It is not always sunshine and rainbows on this journey, there are some pitfalls I have experienced, and I hope you can avoid them
1) Carbs do not make you fat, overeating of carbs do
2) You can gain wait if you overeat healthy food.
3) Not everyone will join you in this journey
4) People will try and project their insecurity on you, do not allow it
5) Find people that share the same passion with you
6) Somedays you will not want to workout, just show up
7) Remember it is you vs. you
8) Slow progress is STIL progress
9) When you get tired, learn to rest; do not quit. It harder to start over
10) It does not get easier you get stronger
I hope this ignites or encourages your fitness journey. If it did, please share it with a friend.
Question of the day: Do you live active lifestyle? Yes/No, why?
Until next time, remember, you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Pregnancy looks good on you, you should go for another round,