SHOP THE POST
cardigan // top // high-waisted leggings (better price) // athletic shoes (the best!) // air pods // apple watch
First Fitness Post of the year, What up!
Before I get into today’s post, I want thank everyone who sent messages of such sweet and encouraging words in regards to yesterday’s post. Everyone had such positive feedback and it just really means the world.
I promised you all I would start sharing more fitness posts this year, so I figured it was best to kick it off with a big one!
I’m not a fitness model, a personal trainer or a dietician. I’m just a girl, with her own fitness story. I’ve had highs and I’ve had lows. I try to make the healthier choices and make it to the gym at least 5 times a week. I’m healthy, but I’m not perfect and I think that is perfectly okay!
These are my goals for the New Year and if you’re kick starting your fitness journey, I’m sharing a few tips for success as well!
Fitness Goals
Hit my steps: The easiest thing you can do to hit your fitness goals is to at least hit 10,000 steps a day. It may seem like a lot, but I promise it is doable! Some days, I notice I’m literally not moving at all but I know that if I can at least hit my 10,000 steps a day that I am on the right track. I achieve mine by doing little things throughout the day like taking Bentley for a little walk, parking in the back of the parking lot, taking the stairs and choosing to walk places, as opposed to driving when it is possible.
Running: I love to run, but this past year I found myself getting a little lazy. I’d run (maybe) once a week and instead of pushing myself each run, I would run my 3-4 miles, then call it a day whether I was tired or not. This year I want to get back to running a minimum of twice a week. My ultimate goal would be to train for a half marathon!
Yoga: Getting back into Yoga is truly one of my biggest goals for 2018. My senior year of college, I got really into hot yoga and loved everything about it. I loved not only what it did for my body, but what it did for my mind. My plan is to start going at least once a week. At least just for the mental clarity.
Weight Lifting: This isn’t really a goal, but I want to continue weight lifting at least 3 times a week. Build more muscle and try to lean out.
Health Goals
Cut Back On the Sweets: In the past few months I have been “saying yes” to dessert on more occasions then birthday celebrations, and is something I really need to work on. My goal is to save it for special occasions and not “just because it’s date night“.
Lay Low On the Almond Butter: Colton, my Mom and my best friends know that I have an unhealthy obsession with Almond Butter. While it’s a great healthy fat, too much of something is never a good thing.
Ignore The Bread Basket When Eating Out: This is something I used to be so good about, but have fallen into the habit of as of lately. I would never sit around my house eating slices of toasted white bread, but let me tell you, if it is brought in a basket at a restaurant, I’m all for it. It is so bad for you and is not worth it. It’s little things like this that I know I can do in order to be healthier and cut a few lbs.
Limit Alcohol To 3 Days a Week: During the Holidays, because we had so many Christmas gatherings, I found myself drinking (wine) at least 5 days a week. I have noticed it in my face and in my energy, so a huge goal for me is to cut back and limit my drinking for Thursday – Saturday.
Mental Health Goals
Ignore the scale: A huge New Years Resolution for me is to put the scale away and not put so much emphasis on the numbers. At one point in my life, I remember stepping on the scale everyday and depending on what the scale said. That moment would decide what the rest of my day would be like. Now, I hope to narrow it down to once a week or less. Just to keep me inline without obsessing over it.
Putting my phone down: Your mental health is just as important as your physical health and one thing I have learned is how much happier I am when I put my phone away. This is ironic because this blog relies on social media, but I also know it can be time consuming and toxic. So unless I have to have my phone out, I want to start making consciousness efforts to put it away.
Meditation before bed: Recently, falling asleep has been really hard for me. Insomnia is a real b. Anyways, I started listening to this meditation app before falling asleep a few weeks ago and it has helped tremendously! I hope to continue this into the New Year as opposed to laying in bed, scrolling through my phone restlessly.
Tools To Get You Started
Step Tracker: Whether it be a Fitbit, Apple Watch or whatever other fitness tracker is on the market, getting one is a must! I currently have an Apple Watch and I live and breath by it. It not only tracks my steps, but it also tracks my workouts when I am either running or lifting weights. I also love that it can tell when I have been sitting to long and reminds to me to stand up! This Fitbit watch is also really great.
Wireless Headphone: Wireless headphones will make your life so much easier. Trust me! Working out or running with cords is always such a hassle and the blue tooth ones will make your life so much better. I just started using these Air Pods after getting them for Christmas, but I am still deciding if I love them or not. These Bose Wireless Head Phones I have used for the past year though and love. I have small ears and headphones tend to fall out easily but with these they don’t.
Adidas Ultra Boost: Last year, I did a campaign with Adidas and fell in love with these shoes. Before the campaign, I was a Nike girl, but since wearing these, I will never go back. They are so comfortable and give an unreal amount of support. My mom even got a pair and she loves them just as much! Her tip is to get any color other than white though – they get dirty easily!
My Fitness Pal App: The My Fitness Pal App best app in the world for tracking what you eat. It counts calories, macros, nutrients and etc. It calculates how many calories you should be eating a day, in order to hit your goal weight and lets you know how long it will take you. I love it because it keeps me accountable and opens my eyes as to what I am actually putting in my body. Especially when eating out.
High Waisted Leggings: Okay, these aren’t a necessity for kick starting your fitness plan this year, but they will help. Grab yourself a pair of high waisted leggings with a thick band and then thank me later. They are so flattering and really suck everything in, if you know what I mean. It’s the only thing I wear. My favorites are from Lulu Lemon but I own and love these for a better price!
Sweat App: For all of your fitness goals, the Sweat App by Kayla Itsines offers everything! I started out using her program a few years ago (read about it here) and have since continued using her app. There is a new section in it called Power which is strictly for weight lifting and I really, really love it! It shows you how to do the workouts, how many to do, when to rest and etc.
Tips For Staying On Track
Find a workout buddy to hold you reliable, but don’t become too reliable on them. I love the idea of having someone to workout with and hold you accountable to go to a workout class, but don’t become so reliable on them, that if they can’t make it or if they stop going, you stop going. You are your own person and this is your journey!
Don’t go more than two days without working out. Life happens, we travel, things come up and sometimes there is no way you can make it to the gym and that’s okay! My personal rule of thumb though, is to never go two-days without making time for a sweat session. It keeps me on track and holds me reliable without being too strict.
Never miss a Monday workout. I know never is a strong word, so maybe I should say, “really try” to never miss a Monday workout. It sets the tone for your whole week!
If possible, workout in the mornings! Sometimes this is easier said than done, but I have found that the earlier I get my workouts over with, the less likely I am to not work out at the end of the day.
Schedule Your Workouts: At the beginning of every week, look at what you have going on and schedule in each day when you can make time to work out. Then on each day write down the time and exactly what you will do for your workout. Whether it be weight lifting, spin class or pilates. Penciling it in makes more of a commitment and lets you go in with a plan.
Listen to your body: Listening to your body is huge. If you are sick and can’t make your normal workout, try a light walk instead. If your super sore from the day before, instead of running, try a yoga class. It is all about listening to your body and where your body will perform best.
Learn to be self-forgiving: So what you ate a piece of that cake or you didn’t immediately hit your goal weight within the first week. Once you learn to love yourself and your body, your whole transformation will become much easier and more enjoyable. If you do have a cupcake, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just be sure for your next meal, pick a healthier choice or a active activity to do afterwards.
What are your fitness goals and tips for 2018!? I would love to hear them!
Cheers to a healthier and happier year!
xo,
Lauren