WELCOME BACK EVERYONE,
Today I have a good friend of mine fitness enthusiast/motivational speaker Krystle Brideau doing a special post regarding health and fitness. Krystle will be contributing to CanadianEcoMom in the coming weeks to help you start living a healthier lifestyle with simple baby steps designed to help all who are interested in change. I hope you will feel inspired to start making small changes for a happier more energetic you.
Be sure to follow Krystle on Instagram @Motiv8orv as well as reach out to her on Facebook- Krystle Brideau
5 WAYS TO OVERCOME YOUR FITNESS EXCUSESToday I have a good friend of mine fitness enthusiast/motivational speaker Krystle Brideau doing a special post regarding health and fitness. Krystle will be contributing to CanadianEcoMom in the coming weeks to help you start living a healthier lifestyle with simple baby steps designed to help all who are interested in change. I hope you will feel inspired to start making small changes for a happier more energetic you.
Be sure to follow Krystle on Instagram @Motiv8orv as well as reach out to her on Facebook- Krystle Brideau
- My body isn't capable.....
- I don't have enough time...
- I can't afford a gym membership...
- I'm just not motivated....
- I love food too much....
Does any of that sound familiar? Do you have excuses piling up as to why you can't get yourself into shape? Well luckily, you're not alone. In fact, it's very common for people to convince themselves that they can't make fitness a part of their lifestyle and 9 times out of 10, they're wrong! If this sounds like it could be you, let us re-evaluate these excuses shall we?
First and foremost, I want to address that anyone starting out a new fitness regime should consult a Dr. and be given the go ahead for exercise, especially if you have existing health conditions, or you are over the age of 45. Better safe than sorry!
3 EASY WARM UPS TO WAKE UP YOUR BODY
1 - My body isn't capable
Believe it or not, you can achieve flexibility even as an adult! I know, it sounds crazy, right? It's very important that every day (especially before and after a workout) you take 2-5 minutes to stretch. By stretching, I don't mean contorting yourself into a pretzel, or standing on the tip of your big toe with your other leg behind your head. I just mean simple basic stretches to get the blood flowing and activate your muscles to let them know they're still functioning. Better flexibility will improve your performance while engaging in physical activity, and it can significantly decrease your risk for injuries. If you stay consistent with this, you will feel the difference and not only that but it makes you feel good! Who doesn't like to feel good?
Starting out slow and building up your endurance is very important. Jumping right into a routine after living a sedentary lifestyle is looking for trouble. You end up discouraged because you have trouble keeping up, you aren't strong enough to go through the moves and everything seems impossible, your muscles end up sore and you feel like roadkill so you end up throwing in the towel. The reality is, you are going to feel ALL of those things at first. The good news is, letting them get to you is optional. Start slow and listen to your body. It's going to be hard if it was easy everybody would be walking around shredded and obesity would not be an issue. It takes as much mental strength as it does physical strength to maintain this lifestyle. So get it into your head that you WANT this and commit to doing whatever it takes to overcome your obstacles. Consistency + Determination = Accomplishments
2 - I don't have enough time
There are absolutely not enough minutes in the day, but you can't let a busy lifestyle get in the way of your goals. A 1-hour workout is only 4% of your day. The average Canadian spends approximately 2.5 hours a day either on social media, browsing the web, playing games, or watching videos. It's not that people don't have enough time, it's that they aren't prioritizing their time efficiently. Sit down and make a list of your daily tasks. What time are you waking up? What are your work hours? Do you have a set bedtime? Find a time slot that you can commit yourself to 30 minutes 5 days a week. Logging your activities let you visually track your progress. Obviously there will be times when something comes up unexpectedly, such is life, we deal with it, and we get back on track!
3 - I can't afford a gym membership
I would really like to know when it became mandatory that all exercise must be completed in a fitness facility. Oh wait, that's right! It hasn't! So why is everyone claiming it's a barrier between them and being in shape? Because it's an easy excuse! Body weight exercises are very efficient at not only burning calories and torching fat, but also at toning muscle. They can be done indoors, outdoors, and you can make it more challenging by using everyday household items to add weight, bottles of water, cans of soup, using children works wonders! Get creative! Taking a walk, going for a jog, or a hike, dancing to your favorite songs. All FREE. All great for your cardiovascular health.
A few free apps I would recommend to somebody just getting started are:
Workout Trainer - Large database compiled of ready to use workouts. You choose the difficulty, length, type of exercise and then click play. There is also access to an online community, where people share tips, make challenges, and keep each other motivated.
Nike + Running - A tracking app that calculates how far and how fast you run/walk/jog. Turning on GPS to track your exact route is optional.
4 - I'm just not motivated
This is a tough one, because unfortunately you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do. You need to set goals, write them down and put them somewhere that you will see them every single day. Being able to see them will keep it fresh in your mind so you can't use the excuse "I forgot today."
Take a before picture.
I can't stress this enough. You don't have to show people, but you will want it for yourself. Trust me on this one. This is where you are going to find a lot of your motivation. As you progress weekly/monthly, continue to take pictures similar to the infamous before picture you originally took. The moment you compare two side by side photo's and see a difference this will hopefully motivate you to continue down the path to a healthier lifestyle. What better motivation is there than seeing your own progress? Sure it's impressive to see progress pictures of John Doe who lost 200lbs, its great and inspiring! But how awesome is it when you look at your OWN pictures, and see that you've lost 6 inches, that your clothes are fitting better, that you can see muscle definition, or that your skin is tightening up? Be your own motivation!
If that still doesn't give you the extra push you need, you can turn to social media. There are thousands of fitness guru's out there sharing their journeys in hopes of inspiring others. If you're somewhat tech savvy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube are great sources for motivation and again it's free. Using hashtags and keywords to search makes life so much easier.
#fitness #exercise #workout #weightloss #motivation #fitspo
5 - I love food too much
Would you go to the gas station, and fill your gas tank up with windshield washer fluid? Probably not, because it wouldn't be good for it, and it wouldn't work. Very similar to humans and food. In order for you body to function at its full potential, it needs to be fueled accordingly. When you're feeding yourself empty calories you're essentially doing more harm than good.
It's important to get the nutrients you need by eating whole, non-processed food. Fruits, vegetables, and protein are a good place to start. A good trick to keep in mind when you do your grocery shopping is to stay out of the center aisles! Try to keep your shopping in the outside aisles, where they keep the produce, dairy, and meats. Keep in mind, the price of a box of cookies or bag of chips is similar to the price of a fruit or vegetable on sale!
Trading margarine for butter, Cooking sprays for virgin olive oil or coconut oil, sodas for water, regular salt to sea salt. These are all things most people use daily and are very simple to substitute. People tend to struggle with the nutritional aspect of getting fit because they feel overwhelmed with information. Don't over think things, this really isn't rocket science. With the simplicity the internet provides us, finding healthy recipes online is no harder than walking a dog (which, might I add, is a great form of exercise!)
A good website or app to use if you're interested in knowing the nutritional value of your food consumption, or care to know your daily calorie intake:
My Fitness pal - Log your food, track your calories and set goals
With all the latest diet trends and magic weight-loss potions being promoted by the media and big name celebrities, it's very easy to be persuaded by one of these quick fixes. Although some of them may give you results, they won't be permanent and are certainly not sustainable. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get that body moving. It's really that simple.
I want to thank Krystle for being a part of CanadianEcoMom and stay tuned because she will be back with another fitness post soon.
CanadianEcoMom Final thought- As I am getting older I find I am struggling with my weight I take full responsibility for that. I know that I am the only one who has the power to change It. I do have medical limitations, but there are still things I can do like walking, swimming, and cycling which is something I recently have taken up doing again. Anyone can workout within their limitations. Doing something is better than nothing at all. It truly does take time and determination to get to that sweet spot. I heard Gillian Michaels say this once and it stuck in my head forever "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable" because no one ever said a workout was easy hence why it's called a WORKout.
If you would like to contribute a specialty post please feel free to email me at canadianecomom@gmail.com I have many different modules that I am slowly rolling out and I am always looking for new writers especially mommy bloggers and like-minded individuals.
Believe it or not, you can achieve flexibility even as an adult! I know, it sounds crazy, right? It's very important that every day (especially before and after a workout) you take 2-5 minutes to stretch. By stretching, I don't mean contorting yourself into a pretzel, or standing on the tip of your big toe with your other leg behind your head. I just mean simple basic stretches to get the blood flowing and activate your muscles to let them know they're still functioning. Better flexibility will improve your performance while engaging in physical activity, and it can significantly decrease your risk for injuries. If you stay consistent with this, you will feel the difference and not only that but it makes you feel good! Who doesn't like to feel good?
Starting out slow and building up your endurance is very important. Jumping right into a routine after living a sedentary lifestyle is looking for trouble. You end up discouraged because you have trouble keeping up, you aren't strong enough to go through the moves and everything seems impossible, your muscles end up sore and you feel like roadkill so you end up throwing in the towel. The reality is, you are going to feel ALL of those things at first. The good news is, letting them get to you is optional. Start slow and listen to your body. It's going to be hard if it was easy everybody would be walking around shredded and obesity would not be an issue. It takes as much mental strength as it does physical strength to maintain this lifestyle. So get it into your head that you WANT this and commit to doing whatever it takes to overcome your obstacles. Consistency + Determination = Accomplishments
2 - I don't have enough time
There are absolutely not enough minutes in the day, but you can't let a busy lifestyle get in the way of your goals. A 1-hour workout is only 4% of your day. The average Canadian spends approximately 2.5 hours a day either on social media, browsing the web, playing games, or watching videos. It's not that people don't have enough time, it's that they aren't prioritizing their time efficiently. Sit down and make a list of your daily tasks. What time are you waking up? What are your work hours? Do you have a set bedtime? Find a time slot that you can commit yourself to 30 minutes 5 days a week. Logging your activities let you visually track your progress. Obviously there will be times when something comes up unexpectedly, such is life, we deal with it, and we get back on track!
3 - I can't afford a gym membership
I would really like to know when it became mandatory that all exercise must be completed in a fitness facility. Oh wait, that's right! It hasn't! So why is everyone claiming it's a barrier between them and being in shape? Because it's an easy excuse! Body weight exercises are very efficient at not only burning calories and torching fat, but also at toning muscle. They can be done indoors, outdoors, and you can make it more challenging by using everyday household items to add weight, bottles of water, cans of soup, using children works wonders! Get creative! Taking a walk, going for a jog, or a hike, dancing to your favorite songs. All FREE. All great for your cardiovascular health.
A few free apps I would recommend to somebody just getting started are:
Workout Trainer - Large database compiled of ready to use workouts. You choose the difficulty, length, type of exercise and then click play. There is also access to an online community, where people share tips, make challenges, and keep each other motivated.
Nike + Running - A tracking app that calculates how far and how fast you run/walk/jog. Turning on GPS to track your exact route is optional.
4 - I'm just not motivated
This is a tough one, because unfortunately you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do. You need to set goals, write them down and put them somewhere that you will see them every single day. Being able to see them will keep it fresh in your mind so you can't use the excuse "I forgot today."
Take a before picture.
I can't stress this enough. You don't have to show people, but you will want it for yourself. Trust me on this one. This is where you are going to find a lot of your motivation. As you progress weekly/monthly, continue to take pictures similar to the infamous before picture you originally took. The moment you compare two side by side photo's and see a difference this will hopefully motivate you to continue down the path to a healthier lifestyle. What better motivation is there than seeing your own progress? Sure it's impressive to see progress pictures of John Doe who lost 200lbs, its great and inspiring! But how awesome is it when you look at your OWN pictures, and see that you've lost 6 inches, that your clothes are fitting better, that you can see muscle definition, or that your skin is tightening up? Be your own motivation!
If that still doesn't give you the extra push you need, you can turn to social media. There are thousands of fitness guru's out there sharing their journeys in hopes of inspiring others. If you're somewhat tech savvy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and YouTube are great sources for motivation and again it's free. Using hashtags and keywords to search makes life so much easier.
#fitness #exercise #workout #weightloss #motivation #fitspo
5 - I love food too much
Would you go to the gas station, and fill your gas tank up with windshield washer fluid? Probably not, because it wouldn't be good for it, and it wouldn't work. Very similar to humans and food. In order for you body to function at its full potential, it needs to be fueled accordingly. When you're feeding yourself empty calories you're essentially doing more harm than good.
It's important to get the nutrients you need by eating whole, non-processed food. Fruits, vegetables, and protein are a good place to start. A good trick to keep in mind when you do your grocery shopping is to stay out of the center aisles! Try to keep your shopping in the outside aisles, where they keep the produce, dairy, and meats. Keep in mind, the price of a box of cookies or bag of chips is similar to the price of a fruit or vegetable on sale!
Trading margarine for butter, Cooking sprays for virgin olive oil or coconut oil, sodas for water, regular salt to sea salt. These are all things most people use daily and are very simple to substitute. People tend to struggle with the nutritional aspect of getting fit because they feel overwhelmed with information. Don't over think things, this really isn't rocket science. With the simplicity the internet provides us, finding healthy recipes online is no harder than walking a dog (which, might I add, is a great form of exercise!)
A good website or app to use if you're interested in knowing the nutritional value of your food consumption, or care to know your daily calorie intake:
My Fitness pal - Log your food, track your calories and set goals
With all the latest diet trends and magic weight-loss potions being promoted by the media and big name celebrities, it's very easy to be persuaded by one of these quick fixes. Although some of them may give you results, they won't be permanent and are certainly not sustainable. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get that body moving. It's really that simple.
I want to thank Krystle for being a part of CanadianEcoMom and stay tuned because she will be back with another fitness post soon.
CanadianEcoMom Final thought- As I am getting older I find I am struggling with my weight I take full responsibility for that. I know that I am the only one who has the power to change It. I do have medical limitations, but there are still things I can do like walking, swimming, and cycling which is something I recently have taken up doing again. Anyone can workout within their limitations. Doing something is better than nothing at all. It truly does take time and determination to get to that sweet spot. I heard Gillian Michaels say this once and it stuck in my head forever "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable" because no one ever said a workout was easy hence why it's called a WORKout.
If you would like to contribute a specialty post please feel free to email me at canadianecomom@gmail.com I have many different modules that I am slowly rolling out and I am always looking for new writers especially mommy bloggers and like-minded individuals.
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