Thinking Ahead!

I have been thinking about the fact that time is FLYING by!  It is already mid-October, soon to be the holiday season, the New Year and then before we know it, it's Spring again! Ok, so that is a little extreme...it really won't be here that fast since the cold winter months tend to draggggg onnnnn...but, it is time to think ahead!

 

 

 

 

Don't wait until the Spring to figure out how to get fit before summer...you don't have enough time to make significant body changes in a few short months if you wait until then! Now is the time to figure out a plan and stick with it! Memorial Day starts the summer and is just 8 months away! You CAN see significant body changes in 8 months and you will be so happy then that you started now!



 

Need ideas on how you, specifically, can find the time or the right activities this winter? Let me know, I would be glad to help!  In the meantime while you make your plan, fit in some more outdoor workouts while you can.  The weather has been beautiful! :)

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

I wish this said 8 months, but you get the idea! ;)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You don't have to be Great to Start!

I know I talk a lot about running, but I have learned to love it. I spoke before of my pure hatred for running in the past but now that I feel like it is something I have conquered, I actually enjoy it!  It does take time to build up to that, but I feel like it is one of the best forms of exercise and every time I am able to run a little farther, it makes me feel good.  I always swore I would NEVER run a marathon...I still think I am not a marathon runner but who knows...maybe I will put that on my bucket list!

 

The important thing to remember is you have to start somewhere! 

 

Some tips:

1.  Mentally prepare yourself and commit.

2.  If you don't have a good pair of running sneakers, buy a new pair. I love buying new sneakers! They help motivate me! (Actually, I love buying shoes in general...and clothes...who am I kidding?!)

3.  Put on your sneakers, put on a good playlist or a good station on Pandora (I love the Afrojack station on Pandora for running!)

4.  Start your map my run app to track your distance/time/route/calories burned.

5.  Turn up the volume and start running!

 

 

"You don't have to be great to start."  So true!

 

Start by making small goals and doing a little better each time!

 

Here is an example:

 

Choose to run for 2 miles.  Run as far as you can in the beginning of the run, if you feel you need to stop, walk for a minute and then begin running again.  You don't have to run fast. It is the distance you are aiming to reach, not speed.  Trade up the walking and running until you reach your two miles. Next time, do the exact same route but walk less than you did the first time.  Keep track during these beginning runs of how many minutes you ran/walked each run so you can see your improvements until you are running the full 2 miles!

 

Once you are running the full 2 miles, whether it's your 1st run, or your 25th, you have accomplished your first goal!! Congrats!! Then you want to do 1 of 2 things.  Increase your time in those two miles, or increase your distance. (This becomes goal #2). As you follow this process you will see yourself build up to faster times/greater distances which equals more endurance, a better fitness level and more calories burned!

 

I encourage everyone to give this a chance.  Maybe running isn't your thing but this process can be applied to all forms of cardio! Or who knows...maybe you will be like me and running will BECOME your thing :)  I would love to hear about your progress if you choose to take the challenge! Good luck!

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

For moms:  Do you have a hard time finding time to run?  Purchase a jogger and bring your child/children with you! My kids love it! It can help teach them the importance of exercise and they are able to get some fresh air and see the world.  Yes it is heavy, but you can overcome it!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Lifestyle - Dedication - Habit

You see all these fitness headers like, "Tone your arms in 7 days," and "7 days to a tighter tummy."  Or even better...do this and look like this... 

Now, I am not saying it isn't possible to tone up your arms (a little) in 7 days or follow that routine and look like the picture above, but let's be serious...the media does not paint a realistic picture!

When I was pregnant, I would browse Pinterest dreaming of getting fit (and honestly, dreaming of not being pregnant). I know some people love being pregnant and love everything about it but I was not one of those people. I loved the fact that I was having a baby and bringing a baby into the world, but I hated every physical thing about it...(ok, I did like feeling the baby move....but only between 8am-8pm...and for some reason, they always seem to move more AFTER 8pm!)   Anyways, my fitness board on Pinterest is filled with all these types of workouts.  I was trying to come up with a plan in my head of how I was going to whip myself back in shape.  But, being realistic, you do not get fit in 7 days.  It is a decision you make.  It is a lifestyle. It is dedication.  It becomes a habit.

So...where do you start? I love this...

It's so true!  You need to start somewhere.  Thinking about it doesn't get you any closer to your end result.  What do you do??  Start by making a goal?  Long term AND short term.  Something you are striving for - an end result, and something you can find satisfaction in soon so that you don't lose motivation.

I will give you my own, real life example:  

Here were my goals: 
Long term goal: My goal was to weigh 4 pounds less than I did when I got pregnant. When I got pregnant for the 2nd time, I was 4 pounds less than I was when I got pregnant the first time.  So that would be a total of 8 pounds less than before pregnancy.  (Might be hard to follow written out).  But anyways, that was my long term realistic goal.

I made and met many short term goals in the meantime.

Short term goals: 
1. Get back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. 
Next was...
2. Fit into my smallest jeans comfortably.
I felt so accomplished when I met that goal.  This was around the time I was at my pre-pregnancy weight.  Then, those last few pounds are the hardest to lose, so I started working out more and made another goal. 
3. Drop down another inch/pant size.

I met these short term goals and my long term goal around 8 months post pregnancy.

Now, I am currently in the process of working towards another short term goal which is dropping one more inch/pant size.  I then plan to continue working out consistently, stay dedicated and motivated to maintain my size but continue to get more toned.  To stay motivated and dedicated to fitness and health.

I definitely do not have all the answers, but don't go through a 7 day workout expecting to see significant results and then throw in the towel when you don't.  Think realistically. Make a long term goal and start with 1 short term goal! Get fit by next summer! Get into your smallest jeans!

Maybe a goal is to be fit by next summer? That is a great
long term goal. Now make a short term goal. Something you can reach
within a month.  Try to comfortably fit into those smallest jeans you own.    When it is something measurable then you know when you meet it and you can feel accomplished.  Then start all over again!

Hope this helps motivate you to get started.  Remember, it is a lifestyle, it is dedication, it becomes a habit! Good luck! :)

~Erin Leigh