This time of year, the fitness questions start filling my inbox. Everyone wants to drop a few pounds, to get ready for bikini season and just refresh for warmer weather. When you’re first starting out, embarking on a fitness journey is hard, confusing and often a mix of emotions. You’re excited to try something new, but when you’re burnt out or not seeing the results you want; you may want to give up. Don’t! I’m going to tell you just how to find YOUR fitness.
Find Your Why, Set Your Goals
Before you get started, you have to set a why. Do you want to lose 5-10+ pounds? Maybe you just want to feel better or maybe you have a picture in mind of what you want to look like. Set those goals and be realistic. This may sound silly, but I have always struggled with body image issues. No matter how much weight I lose or muscle I gain, there is something about myself that I don’t like. But why? For me, it is often because I compare myself to someone else. The problem is, when you compare yourself to someone with a different body type than you, you’re just aiming for an unrealistic goal. I had to really sit back and evaluate myself. I’m short, bigger in the bottom and thighs and I will always have broad shoulders. I’m more of an inverted triangle shape. I gain muscle easily in my arms and no amount of back exercises can tame the sausage effect of a sports bra on my back. I have always disliked the way my back looks. There I said it. I’m not complaining about myself, I’m being honest, so just in case you’ve ever had those same feelings, know you’re not alone. What helped me finally get over some of my body image issues was to first identify my body type and then find examples of other women, with my body type, who were in great shape. I took to good ol Google, searched for celebrities with inverted triangle body types and found tons and tons of pictures of beautiful women, shaped just like me. I no longer felt like my fitness routine was failing, I felt like I was beautiful, just like them, in my own shape. So whatever your body type, own it first girl, aim to be in your best health!
Find Fitness You LOVE
I often get e-mails from girls telling me what they’ve been doing to lose x amount of weight. Maybe they’re running a little, taking walks, trying a new video etc. That’s great, but, the downside is often how they would describe the workout; torture! Yes, you should be challenging yourself, but not torturing yourself. If you’re going to stick to an active lifestyle, you have to find a form of fitness you love! Keep it fresh, keep it new!
I love to dance, lift weights, hike, walk, bike and circuit train. I don’t like to run, play sports or do a whole lot of yoga. That’s just me! All of those types of workouts are fantastic, but not all of them will be what you love! Once I identified what I loved the most and started to build my own routine around what I enjoyed doing, fitness became easy to me. It’s easy to wake up a little earlier every morning if it’s to do something I like. It’s also easy if your workout is both fun and an adventure, like going on a hike. You also have to keep in mind the results you want. You’re not going to get sculpted shoulders just going for a run every day. But, if you just want a healthy heart and healthy weight, an every day run is fantastic!
Never Let Anything Slow You Down
Once you’re in a good routine with any form of fitness you love, don’t let anything get in your way! We all have excuses and things that come up, but without killing yourself, you have to overcome them.
Fatigue
If you’re feeling fatigued and sore, drink more water and stretch! Staying well hydrated is so important, especially as you become more active. If you’re dehydrated, you’re going to feel tired and just all around blah! So drink up girlfriend.
Stretching and caring for your muscles is so important too. I may not love yoga, but I do love a good stretch and use my foam roller a few times a week. If I start to slack on my stretches, I really feel it and it makes my workouts harder. If you’re feeling like your energy is drained, make sure you’re eating a well balanced diet and that you’re eating enough. Under eating isn’t uncommon when someone seeks to lose weight, but in order for your body to lose weight and function properly, you have to fuel it properly. Lots of fresh veggies, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains!
Kids, Work and Expectations
Everyone is faced with a lot of demands on a daily basis, whether it be with work, school, kids, family, etc. But, your fitness is all about you and the one thing you should do for yourself every day. I personally wake up early, every morning to get my workout in before the kids wake up. Do they sometimes interrupt? Of course. I keep going. Often times, they just join in, sometimes get in the way; but even if I have to take a break to take care of something for one of them, I go back to it. Other days, especially now with this warm weather, I include them. We go for walks, hikes, we have relay races, we just have fun together! On the days I work, I stick to my same routine, up early to get it done! It is so important to just schedule the time for you.
I totally pulled like every muscle in my leg climbing this tree, but the kids loved it!
That Time Of The Month
Before I wrote this, I had to think long and hard about whether I really wanted to go here. But, I decided to go for it. Every woman deals with her monthly cycle; it wears you down, makes you bloat, crave sugar and salt and is just all around not fun. The dreaded period is definitely something that can put a damper of your fitness routine. First off, staying active actually helps with those monthly symptoms. Fatigue, cravings and cramps, are all lessened if you just push through and stay active. If your cravings get out of control, treat yourself a little, or find a healthy alternative for your craving; like popcorn for a salty craving, or Halo Top ice cream for a sweets craving.
Find protection that works with your fitness routine. U by Kotex Fitness is a line of protection designed specifically for the active woman. Their compact active tampons expand all around, so you’re fully protected, no matter how fast you run or how far you stretch. Plus, they come in a compact size, with a discreet protective fit pack. So, they’re easy to carry with you anywhere.
I grabbed a box at Walgreens, where they are currently buy one, get one 50% off. There is also a $1.00 off coupon here and you can save $2.00 more, with the Ibotta app.
You Got This Girl!
You are powerful, beautiful and a total boss. Don’t let anything stand in the way of you and YOUR fitness! Do what you love and love yourself. #findyourFITNESS
– Brooke
great tips and you look amazing.
xo
Pinksole
You’re definitely one active mama!! I love knowing that a lot of my energy will come from being outside once the weather really starts to warm up! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Such good tips! I am in full on fitness mode myself right now. let’s do this, girl!
xx Leah / http://www.eatpraywearlove.com/2017/05/att-go-phone.html
Woo!! Yeah girl!!
The warm weather always gives me more energy! Love it!
Thanks girl!
Love this! Fitness for me is finding something that I enjoy, and a lot of people need to think outside the box of pounding the treadmill. Such a great time of year to get outside and get moving <3
Green Fashionista
These are great tips! Finding something you love to do is key! I have figured out that pilates and yoga classes are my favorites.
Jamie
Treats and Trends
These are really good trips. Your boys are so cute.
Nina’s Style Blog
loved reading these tips! i love running too and keeping up with my fitness is so important especially as a mom!
kileen
cute & little
Love those leggings! They’re so cute on you. xx
Samantha
http://bonjourblue.com
Love this post! Finding what you really love, instead of just say running because everyone is running, is so important. Enjoying your workout (in general, maybe not every day…) is the only way to keep it up. Also, those leggings are so cute! I love them.
Nikki
thefashionablewife.com
Girl you look amazzing and seriously your butt, #goals! you always give such great inspiration. I have been getting back into working on regularly and it’s hard.
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
You always look amazing! I do think in today’s world of constant social media presence in our lives it’s hard not to compare ourselves to others. There was series of fitness models on IG that posted pictures taken seconds apart in different poses with their clothes adjusted differently showing how the right pose and position of the body can quickly transform how you look in a picture, versus a bad post and poorly positioned clothing. It was really interesting and eye opening to see. Only the good pictures usually get posted, but one picture is not the way that people look in real life.
Happy Monday!
Carly at A Modern Mom Blog
Love this, your boys are so cute! These are great tips, finding your why and finding fitness you love is so important.
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
Love the tips girl – you are so encouraging!! Definitely need to step my game up with fitness haha
http://www.theclosetcrush.com
You look amazing! Love those workout pants <3
http://aikocunanan.com/happy-mothers-day/
Ah I think I have board shoulders and a small bottom and a big tummy, I was skinny and then gained a few pounds over the years and now I feel out of shape. I want to lose the belly fat and tone my back and get it down to size. I want want my back fat to go away. Feels impossible
I think you look great by the way.
Delaine from http://delainemyles.com
loving this post. I’m a fellow health + wellness + fitness fanatic with broad shoulders and a back that gains muscle like nobody’s business. Just last weekend I got stuck trying on a top at Target – thanks Lats haha. happy to have found your blog!
xo, Maddy
http://cassidylou.com/
Great post, Brooke! Love the tips and so timely!
such a fun post! you are darling!
kelseybang.com
Loved how encouraging this was! Do what you love and love yourself <3
Vivian | LIVE . IN . LOVE
IG | @VIVIYUNN_
~
Such a lovely outfit and pictures!! Great post!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: GINGHAM TOP + SNEAKERS | RODEO DRIVE
Love this! What a great post!
http://www.alovelystyle.com
Great post! Your honesty is so refreshing and a great source of inspiration. I used to be religious with my fitness routine but ever since we moved out of state I’ve been struggling to get back in the groove. This post gave me just the push I’ve been looking for to create a new, healthy routine. Thanks for sharing!
Mary
http://marymurnane.com
It’s so important to find a fitness routine that works for YOU. Anyone can try anything, but you’re less likely to stick with something if you don’t enjoy it. And how cute are you in this workout gear?!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I love the idea of finding what works for YOU. These are great tips and such a good post!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Thank you Amy!
I’m so glad I could inspire you!
Thank you Rakel!
Thank you Monica!
Thank you Vivian!
This is such a great post because it’s so true. Each person is different and I do think in order to stick with a goal like workout you really do have to love it. I love your workout clothes too!
I didn’t know U by Kotex has a fitness line now! Really loving your leggings by the way, and this post makes so much sense!
☼ cabin twenty-four
I actually didn’t know that either until they contacted me. I found a new line to love!
Thank you Ruth!
Thank you Kelsey!
Thanks Carrie!
Haha, that has happened to me too!! I’m so glad you found me too, because now I’ve found your blog as well!
Thank you Delaine!! I know exactly what you mean! The older I get, the harder it is to stay slim!
Thanks so much!
Thanks Alina!! I’m glad I could be encouraging!
Thank you Katherine!
I saw that series and thought it was the best! I was like thank you, finally!! Before seeing that, I actually thought some of those girls were so lean, they looked like that all the time. It was eye opening for me too.
You are too sweet Whitney!!
You’re so right!! Finding a schedule that works for you is also so important!
Thank you Samantha!
It is. Fitness became more important to me after having my first babe, I want to be able to keep up with them!
Thank you Nina!
I do love Pilates! I recently tried a cycling class and it sparked a desire to try more things I haven’t tried a lot of, yoga being one of them!
Yes! Once I started to think outside the box, I started to enjoy fitness. Pounding the treadmill or the elliptical was always something I hated.
Love those legging!! Gorgeous 😀
xx Sofia | SOFIAADOT
I love the picture where you’re hanging off the tree while your kids are on the ground in the background, haha! Totally unexpected. This is a great motivational post! Thanks! I’ll have to find the type of work out that I like best, since running isn’t my forte.
Kim
Simply Lovebirds
Loved this blog post! Your outfit looks so cute!
sophiabonbelle.com