We are almost three months in 2017 and going strong on New Year Resolutions and healthy eating….right? My focus had to take a break in February after my Grandpa passed away and I got the 14-day cold. I believe sickness is my body’s way of telling me to s-l-o-w down and rest. I push myself to get up early, work out and carve time for fitness, but sometimes it’s more important to rest. Now I am going into a travel marathon for work trips, plus tacking on days to explore Nashville and New York City. I am searching for inspiration to keep me focused on fitness, so I hope you also can benefit from my tips for keeping up on workouts.

Put Classes in Your Calendar

I love the feature of my workout scheduling apps where I can add it to my iCal. On Sunday, I’ll open my calendar and schedule my Orange Theory Fitness classes and LA Fitness classes. I am way more likely to follow through with a class if I have it “set in stone” rather than if I decide to do it on the fly. This way, if friends ask about my week plans or something comes up, I can see that I’ve already scheduled time to work out.

Set Your Workout Clothes Out

I am so much more likely to be on time and not skip the gym if I set my workout clothes out before I go to bed. Getting up at 5:45 am is not easy in the dark, cold winters, but it helps if I can slip on my clothes without thinking before I try to hit snooze again.

Have a Snack

Even if you don’t think you’re hungry, I highly recommend a quick half of a banana, Lara bar or half an apple with almond butter before a workout. This helps me feel energized and ready to conquer my workout rather than as if I tried to push myself on an empty stomach. When I’m on the treadmill running and I hear my stomach rumble, I’m way more likely to hop off and head home to breakfast!

Don’t Use Workouts as a Rationale

It is easy to tell yourself that because you worked out at the gym, you can have a bowl of ice cream for dessert. Or I can’t have the glass of wine because I didn’t go on a run this morning. I don’t think correlating food with rewards or workouts with punishment promotes a positive mindset about fitness. Instead, I believe in working out to be active, exercise my muscles and clear my head. While it does allow me to feel the flexibility to indulge in food, I don’t do it just so I can eat dessert. I believe in workouts to feel good and strong and food to enjoy and savor.

Take One Hour to Unplug

Think of your one hour at the gym as a time to clear your mind, not worry about others and take a break. The minute I walk into the gym and turn my music on, I flip my phone to airplane mode. I’ve gotten into the habit of this and people have begun to remember it. Most matters can wait an hour, and when I reply I like to say, “Hey I was at the gym and had my phone on airplane mode…(fill in the blank).” If you say this a few times, people will start to get the hint that you go into your own zone for your workouts.

What tips give you inspiration to keep fitness as a priority? Comment below with any ideas and lace up those shoes to get going!

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela

Photos by Brooke Marcella Photography