We kicked off this wellness series discussing the importance of getting our mindset right before jumping into a fitness/nutrition program. Last week we talked about 5 healthy practices to implement now to regain control of our eating habits. With that foundation, let’s jump into F-I-T-N-E-S-S.
In my 20+ years in the fitness industry, I’ve seen it all. I’ve watched the trends and fads come and go and I can tell you once and for all what works. Are you ready? Here it is! It’s good old fashioned sweat equity, my friends. It is THE only way. Putting in the work with consistent exercise and healthy eating. 💪🏼🥗
The problem is, there are too many quick fixes.
Drink this drink.
Take this pill.
Get this shot.
Wrap yourself up in this.
Cut out this entire food group.
And people are desperate for results. So they pay for things that promise quick results. Potentially putting their long-term health in danger to lose a few lbs. And then are frustrated when they’re right back to square one, heavier than before, out a bunch of $$, feeling like a failure, having learned nothing about proper nutrition, fat loss, managing their mindset, feeling more confused and defeated than ever.
They’ve messed up their metabolism so much that each consecutive effort to lose weight is harder than the last. Which makes them more desperate than the time before. If you’ve been in this boat, you are nodding your head with me right now.
Actually DOING the workouts and planning/cooking healthy meals is hard work.
But it is the only way.
How do we make it easier?
Here are some tips to help you make your fitness a priority:
- Give yourself permission to make yourself a priority. If you have a significant other in the home, communicate your needs to take this time for yourself. We have so many demands placed on us as moms and it can be hard to pull away without feeling guilty. You will come back a much more pleasant, patient mama after taking some time away!
- Find something you love to do. It doesn’t have to be hour long elliptical sessions (I wouldn’t recommend that, anyway!) or suffering through a bootcamp class, if that’s not your thing. If you love to be outdoors, take a bike ride, go hiking, or take a brisk (socially distanced) walk with friends. Crank up the music and dance with the kids! Grab your yoga mat and sneak out to the garage for a session. There are so many free resources right now available online!
- Make it convenient. Let’s face it, even in this time of sheltering at home, it’s hard to make the time to pull away from work, schooling, family to carve out 30 minutes for a workout. But mamas, 30 minutes is 2% of your day. (This is where ’Tough Love Coach Shelly’ steps in) To even begin to do the work to start seeing results, we must get real with ourselves and the stories (excuses) we’re telling ourselves about why we ’can’t’. If it is important to you, you will find 30 minutes. I know I can personally spend that much time scrolling the news feed each day. What can you cut out in your day to make time for your workout?
- Workout ’with’ friends who share your common goals and obstacles. Make a pact to hold each other accountable to your daily workouts. You can meet via Zoom and each do your own workout or do one together.
- Break it down into bite-sized pieces. Set small, attainable short term goals for the first few weeks verses looking at the total number of pounds you want to lose. Focus on non-scale victories (clothes are fitting more loosely, you have more energy, it’s easier to wake up in the morning). Losing those first few pounds will boost your self esteem and confidence. You’ll be encouraged to keep going.
- Know WHY you’re starting. Look at the big picture of your life and what you want to achieve with this. Do you want more energy to play with your kids? Are you tired of feeling out of control and letting food rule your life. Do you want to ease anxiety and depression? Take your focus off the scale so that on those days it doesn’t budge, you don’t want to throw in the towel.
If wellness is the objective, it is a lifelong pursuit. We never fully ‘arrive’. We learn and grow and perfect it along the way.
We accomplish our goals by plugging along every single day, no matter how slowly it feels like we’re moving. And one day you wake up and say, ‘I feel better than I did in my 20’s or 30’s’. You can FEEL the effects of adopting the healthy lifestyle. You will be SO grateful you stuck with it.
At your pace.
In your own time.
With your own rules.
And grace.
Lots and lots of grace.
xoxoxo,
Shelly
Let’s talk about these questions and more during our live chat on May 21st at 7pm on the All Mom Does Facebook page.
About the Writer
For over 20 years, Shelly Simonsen, a fitness and nutrition professional, has been helping others in their pursuit of healthy living. As a mom of 4 children and a cancer survivor, Shelly is on a mission to help women find their voice, get unstuck and create the confidence to live a life of freedom.
Recently Shelly founded The Shine Studio.
In her own words; “I’ve had a vision in my heart for nearly a year; a vision to create an ongoing virtual wellness community where we could all stay engaged each day.”
With The Shine Studio, Shelly imagined a place full of joy and positivity, support and encouragement from each other and herself as well as a sharing of resources members all have found to support their collective of healthy living lifestyles. The Shine Studio serves as a ‘hub’ where all members of the community feel they can just hang out with one another.
Quarantine Wellness Part 2: 5 Healthy Habits To Help Maintain Your Weight During Quarantine