What's Your Workout Personality?

So you've made up your mind- 2014 is your year to get healthy, get focused, and get fit. Now what? Setting out a clear strategy for achieving your goals is key to reaching them, but in order to do this, you need to acknowledge where you are starting from and what your workout personality is. If you hate to run, don’t fool yourself into thinking that you will get up and run five days a week. How about spinning three days a week and running one? If you haven’t worked out in two years, don’t set yourself up for disappointment by starting out in the highest intensity class. Build your strength and stamina in a class that you will actually enjoy, and make that high intensity class goal number one. No matter what your starting point and personal preferences, there is a plan for you— here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

So you’re a bit rusty… You haven’t picked up your sneakers in years, so what! For the last three years I have sworn that I would never step foot in a yoga studio. My friends love it, not for me… or so I thought. Until I learned that I was going to be a bridesmaid in June, and everything I read was telling me that nothing tones you up more than YOGA. Ugh! So with the ultimate goal in mind, I caved, and that Saturday morning I hiked myself (equipped with my new yoga mat/full gear… no one else needed to know I was a yoga rookie right??) right into Philly Power Yoga. Now I am HOOKED. Point being, don’t psych yourself out just because you haven’t done it in awhile or maybe never! Remember the end goal (toned arms by June), and just get out there.

You’re bored with your workout regimen… Find inspiration by trying something new. Its easy to get stuck in the same old routine, at the same place, at the same time, with the same teacher that you like. But your muscles get bored too. Bored muscles = zero results. So spice it up. Try a new studio, or better yet, try a studio that offers a wide variety of classes. Best suggestion? Lithe Method. Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of different classes on the schedule; Skinny Jeans, Pom, Armistice, High Waisted, Wings, Barlesque, and the list goes on. Try them all! You will not be bored and will wake up feeling soreness in muscles you didn't even know you had. Yowza!

You’re an ex-athlete… And you swore the day you scored that game-winner in the Virginia state championships was the last time you would ever lace up those cleats (or sneakers or whatever). Be honest— you know you miss it! You just need to get those competitive juices flowing. One word: FLYWHEEL! An intense, heart beating out of your chest, drenched in sweat kind of workout that will leave you wanting more and more. PLUS you can choose to compete against your fellow classmates by having your name and total power score shown up on the screen throughout class. Even better— the first class is FREE so you have no excuse not to try it. Better get moving, because honestly, who doesn't love winning?! 

The New, New Years Resolution

Deciding to take the leap is the first step! No one else can do it for you, the choice to take control of your health and fitness has to come from YOU. To be honest, I've never really been a fan of the “New Years Resolution”. Declaring some arbitrary rule for yourself, swearing away all of your vices and pledging to be a Saint for the next year? Good luck! That being said, using the New Years holiday as an opportunity to step back and evaluate what you are doing, how you are taking care of yourself, and how you can do better in the coming 12 months is a perfect way to jumpstart your 2014 fitness routine. Instead of a "resolution", set a series of goals. Make a plan, establish the end-goal and lay out a roadmap for getting there over the course of the next year, as opposed to setting a rule that almost seems made to be broken. Set goals within striking distance. Nothing fuels the fitness fire more than seeing results and once you hit that first milestone there will be no turning back.

Everyone’s starting point will be different and there isn’t one cookie-cutter New Years Resolution, Get Fit Plan. But whether you are starting from square one or just in a workout rut, these few strategies can help you lay out your own personal roadmap AND reach your ultimate destination.

#1. Write It Down

Studies have proven that your likelihood of achieving the goals you set for yourself go up exponentially by just writing them down. Yes, its as simple as it sounds, but if you write it down you are held accountable. Yikes! This isn’t a lipstick on the mirror, positive affirmation kind of thing- its a basic, old-school notepad list. Sit down and write one. Start with three realistic goals and list them out, specifically, on one page. If you haven't picked up your running shoes in the last 6 months, don’t write down “run a marathon”, instead try “run three times a week.” Specific and realistic versus long-term and open ended. 

#2. Expect The Mis-Step

Yes its cliche but it’s true, no one is perfect! Things come up, life gets in the way, and every once in awhile you will be forced to miss that class or eat that piece of cake. Accept it and embrace it. Don’t let the missteps knock you off the rails and try to remember the plan, the map, and the ultimate goal. This is why I’m not a “Resolution” girl - too many rules. You don’t need to feel like a failure just because of an off day. Get back on the horse and keep moving forward, one piece of cake is not going to define your fitness success!

#3. Find A Buddy

Talk about accountability… The only thing worse than letting yourself down, is letting your friends down too! Find a buddy who you can count on. You don't have to have the same end goals or be the same fitness level- you simply need to have one common thread. Maybe it is getting out of bed for the 6am spin class, or going to yoga on Thursday nights. Find common ground that contributes to each of your individual fitness plans and commit to it. Set your schedule, pick a meeting place, and I promise your snooze button will become a thing of the past!

Welcome to FitME Philly!

Happy New Year Philly!! We could not be more excited to kick off this blog and share some of our adventures, thoughts and insight into the Philly fitness scene with you all. Exercise is our passion. However, no matter how passionate you are, the task of managing your personal workout routine has become increasingly burdensome and quite honestly- frustrating! The amount of time, money, and energy spent maintaining your personal fitness can be exhausting (we know!) and sometimes it can feel like just managing your fitness regimen could be a full-time job when it’s supposed to be fun. Our mission in this blog is to provide our readers with the information they need to more easily navigate the Philly fitness scene. Spend more time enjoying your fitness regimen and less time managing it! 

So who are we and how do we know what we’re talking about?! We are two ex-college athletes obsessed with exercise- but we are also constantly striving to achieve the ultimate balance of work, life, fitness and FUN. Much easier said than done. When we moved back to Philadelphia almost 2 years ago we really hit the ground running (literally), constantly looking for the next best workout “thing” whether it was a new studio, method, gym, running trail, or juice bar. Self-diagnosed sweat addicts, we truly find that maintaining an active lifestyle is the key to finding your most productive, efficient, and happiest self. Whether you are a fitness freak, someone who has fallen off the band-wagon, or someone who thinks sweating is gross, everyone benefits from a bit of activity and we can assure you that there is a class, method, or style of exercise out there for you. We are here to help you find it! 

Our hope is that by sharing some of our knowledge and experience in this blog, it will make your life easier and your fitness journey less arduous, paving the way for you to achieve and maintain your fitness goals. Maybe you will be inspired to try something new, be motivated to get back on the exercise horse, or just gain a better understanding of what our city has to offer. Whatever your current fit factor, attitude or mindset towards exercise, and personal goal, we hope this blog will provide something for each of you. 

So welcome to fitME, we are so excited to start this adventure with all of YOU!

M & E