After many years of failing to workout, 2017 has to be the year. Not only is it the year I turned 25 (halfway to fifty as everyone keeps politely reminding me!), it’s the year where we’ve got more planned than ever before. Where our successes feel very real, and we need to keep our heads in the game. Working out used to be a huge part of my life, along with my once a week burger.
Gym, swimming and a burger afterward had no effect on my skinny ass. But thanks to University and the introduction of alcohol, I stopped working out and started developing unhealthy habits. It’s never really bothered me before, but now it’s about my mental health, and beating stress. So I’ve launched into a February workout routine hoping for nothing more than a clearer mind!
Step one: Buy the right gear
The first step for me was getting the right gear! I wanted to do it properly this time, which meant buying workout gear and a decent pair of shoes. It really makes a difference to work out in fitting sweat-proof gear, and use proper trainers for running and skipping. Some of the equipment I bought included Bluetooth headphones and a Fitbit.
But for me, it was all about the clothes, clothes that support any workout and make you feel good about yourself. I’m so happy with the workout gear I got from ASOS. I bought clothes that motivate me to get up and go and an amazing pair of sneakers. It’s an investment, and it’s the first step!
Step two: Take it one block at a time
Celina gave me some great advice when I was worried about giving up. Take it 21 days at a time. Challenge yourself to be as active as possible for the month of February, if you miss a workout day that’s fine, just do it when you can.
A planner or diary will seriously help. I also use my phone to help me stay on task. Firstly I have my Fitbit vibrating on my wrist when I need to get up and go, it also helps that my friends can see my shameful lack of progress. I also use Nike+ Training Club to do my workouts, I can’t believe how good they are (and free!), they don’t push you too hard but you will seriously ache the next day in the most satisfying way!
Step three: Look forward not backward
Every step of progress is progress. It’s easy to talk yourself out of working out or eating healthily before you start, but don’t. If you walk for ten minutes today, you’ve already made more progress than yesterday! Don’t look back, keep looking forward. If you slip up, eat badly, go one week without exercise, just think about how you can remedy that going forward.
The one thing that used to stop me from being healthy was guilt-tripping myself, and then giving up. I’d convince myself I was never going to be that girl who works out and enjoys running, but I’m getting there. And if I can do it, you can too!
Step four: Don’t change your daily routine
I used to think that in order to make time for my health I had to change my routine. How can you fit in exercise when you work all day and the only thing you want to do when you get home is chill in front of the TV?
I haven’t changed anything about my routine. I work out for around 20 minutes on a Wednesday or Thursday morning, in the evenings if I get home early enough I do 20 minutes with the skipping rope and on Saturday or Sunday, I’m planning to go to the countryside somewhere to walk and hike!
LET’S CHAT…
How do you make time to be healthy? How do you fit workouts into the weekend? Need some motivation? I’m your girl – let’s chit chat in the comments below…
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After many years of failing to workout, 2017 has to be the year. Not only is it the year I turned 25 (halfway to fifty as everyone keeps politely reminding me!), it’s the year where we’ve got more planned than ever before. Where our successes feel very real, and we need to keep our heads in the game. Working out used to be a huge part of my life, along with my once a week burger.
Gym, swimming and a burger afterward had no effect on my skinny ass. But thanks to University and the introduction of alcohol, I stopped working out and started developing unhealthy habits. It’s never really bothered me before, but now it’s about my mental health, and beating stress. So I’ve launched into a February workout routine hoping for nothing more than a clearer mind!
Step one: Buy the right gear
The first step for me was getting the right gear! I wanted to do it properly this time, which meant buying workout gear and a decent pair of shoes. It really makes a difference to work out in fitting sweat-proof gear, and use proper trainers for running and skipping. Some of the equipment I bought included Bluetooth headphones and a Fitbit.
But for me, it was all about the clothes, clothes that support any workout and make you feel good about yourself. I’m so happy with the workout gear I got from ASOS. I bought clothes that motivate me to get up and go and an amazing pair of sneakers. It’s an investment, and it’s the first step!
Step two: Take it one block at a time
Celina gave me some great advice when I was worried about giving up. Take it 21 days at a time. Challenge yourself to be as active as possible for the month of February, if you miss a workout day that’s fine, just do it when you can.
A planner or diary will seriously help. I also use my phone to help me stay on task. Firstly I have my Fitbit vibrating on my wrist when I need to get up and go, it also helps that my friends can see my shameful lack of progress. I also use Nike+ Training Club to do my workouts, I can’t believe how good they are (and free!), they don’t push you too hard but you will seriously ache the next day in the most satisfying way!
Step three: Look forward not backward
Every step of progress is progress. It’s easy to talk yourself out of working out or eating healthily before you start, but don’t. If you walk for ten minutes today, you’ve already made more progress than yesterday! Don’t look back, keep looking forward. If you slip up, eat badly, go one week without exercise, just think about how you can remedy that going forward.
The one thing that used to stop me from being healthy was guilt-tripping myself, and then giving up. I’d convince myself I was never going to be that girl who works out and enjoys running, but I’m getting there. And if I can do it, you can too!
Step four: Don’t change your daily routine
I used to think that in order to make time for my health I had to change my routine. How can you fit in exercise when you work all day and the only thing you want to do when you get home is chill in front of the TV?
I haven’t changed anything about my routine. I work out for around 20 minutes on a Wednesday or Thursday morning, in the evenings if I get home early enough I do 20 minutes with the skipping rope and on Saturday or Sunday, I’m planning to go to the countryside somewhere to walk and hike!
LET’S CHAT…
How do you make time to be healthy? How do you fit workouts into the weekend? Need some motivation? I’m your girl – let’s chit chat in the comments below…
Oh my gosh! I love this! I was super active almost all of last year. Then November hit and I started travelling every week for work… suddenly I stopped exercising and eating healthy…and I packed on 15 lbs in 2 months! I’m discouraged by this since I was on a weight loss path and now have to redo hard work that’s already been done. I hope this year IS the year! I’d love some motivation though! I used to get up early and workout and now I just can’t seem to do it!
GREAT ADVICE! I am desperately trying to lose the weight I put on during my first year of college and these morning routine tips were really wonderful. Thank you and good luck to you!
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Hey! Oh gosh I totally know how you feel! Don’t worry about it though, just do it when you can, and tell yourself you aren’t doing it for the weight loss, you’re just trying to create a new habit. Once I took all the pressure off, it became so much easier to stick to! I still have that whole want results after one week feeling, but I’ll just keep doing it for me! Summer and bikini has nothing to do with it..haha x
Thanks!!! Good luck to you, too! xx