Before I became a parent, I never struggled with maintaining a consistent workout routine. I have always enjoyed being active, and belonging to a local gym helped inspire my weekly workouts. That monthly bill compelled me to show up, but the after effects of deeper sleep, consistent weight, and generally feeling better fueled my consistency. And then I had children. Any sense of a workout routine went out the window in those early days when sleep and survival were foremost.
Thank you Curves International for sponsoring this post.
Overcoming the Barriers to Exercise
I lost some of the “baby weight” within the first year of having each of my children. But I could not lose the remaining 10-15 pounds. It did not help that I was not adhering to any type of workout routine. And as the months and years went by, I became discouraged. It was a passing comment between my mother and I that finally flipped the switch in my mind and drove me to get serious about fitness and weight loss. Fitness is more than just weight loss, rather it is “the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In reality, it encompasses everything from getting out of bed in the morning to running (literally) to school so that my kids are not late.
- Time: In order to commit to a consistent workout routine, I had to identify and address those barriers that were preventing me from exercising. The most significant challenge was time. Where was I going to fit in a workout? After surveying my schedule, I realized that right after my kids were dropped off at school was an optimal time to go to the gym for a workout. The gym also happens to be on my way home. These days, I wake up and dress in my gym clothes so that I am prepared for a workout immediately after school drop-off. Scheduling workouts on my calendar has also helped frame my mindset so that I commit to those times just as I would to a doctor’s appointment or a scheduled work meeting.
- Motivation: As a runner, I had struggled on and off with motivation. Running can be a lonely fitness venture, and I realized that in order to maintain a consistent workout routine, I had to change the way I approached exercise. After perusing my gym’s calendar, I decided to join their group fitness classes. The friendships I made have been invaluable and have helped with accountability. The classes are also upbeat and fun, which helped to change my perspective on exercise.
- Resources: Exercise can really be as simple as a walk or run around your neighborhood. Expensive workout clothes and shoes are typically unnecessary. If you are looking for a more formal workout solution, Curves offers studio fitness at affordable prices for women. The 30-minute total body workout includes cardio, strength training, and stretching. Unlike most traditional gyms, a monthly one-on-one coaching session is included with the membership fee. Each facility includes an experienced, professional coach, in the event that you have questions or concerns about the machines or the workout. And if you prefer a more class-based workout program, Curves offers daily specialty fitness classes.
The Beginner’s Guide to Establishing a Workout Routine
- Make a commitment: I like to schedule my workouts on a calendar just like other important meetings and appointments. A set reminder is also helpful in motivating me to keep my commitment to exercise.
- Find a workout partner: For many people, accountability is the impetus to change. I also find it generally more fun to workout with a friend, who can help push me towards my goals (and vice versa).
- Establish a location: Where will you work out? Will you join a gym? Take a daily walk around your local park? Formulating a clear workout plan can help fuel success.
- Identify your workout style: Do you enjoy group fitness classes? Or do you prefer to take a solo run? Every person’s workout style varies. When you can identify the types of activities you enjoy, you are more likely to remain consistent and ultimately see the results of your efforts.
- Consider enlisting the help of a coach: When I had reached a plateau in my weight loss journey, I decided to speak to a trainer at my local gym. She quickly identified where I could change up my routine and diet plan in order to continue losing weight. A Curves coach can work with you to get and stay healthy by addressing your specific goals.
Tracking Results
I used to be consumed with my scale. Every pound gained or lost represented a failure or a success. When I joined Curves, I began to understand that weight is one of many measurements used to determine health, fitness, and wellness. Over the past month, I noticed that the discomfort I was feeling in my neck and shoulders was subsiding. The hydraulic machines were getting easier, but by no means did the workout feel any less effective. In fact, as I got stronger, the resistance increased. My cardiovascular endurance improved and I finally felt like I could fall asleep without tossing and turning.
Keep track of your workouts
Curves Fitness members lose an average of 5 pounds over a 20-week period. If you join Curves Complete, that weight loss increases to an average of 10 pounds and 3 inches over 13 weeks. I spent 3-4 days per week at Curves over the course of one month. In that time, I lost 2 pounds, 1 1/2 inches overall, dropped my BMI by one point and lost 0.4 % of body fat. My commitment to a weekly workout routine combined with Curves’ unique circuit format were key to my overall success over the past month.
To learn more about Curves, visit their website or continue the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook with the Hashtag #CurvesStrong.
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