A Simple Fitstyle Refresh
When the day seems like it only consists of endless Zoom calls, meetings, school drop-offs, and never-ending laundry; it can be challenging to keep up with your fitness plans as the seasons and schedules change. If you’re ready to focus on your fitness or want to maintain what you’ve started as we change seasons, use this checklist to freshen up your fitstyle - just like you’re doing for that work wardrobe. Right? ;)
Take inventory
A key fitstyle fundamental is "start where you are", so taking inventory is key. Just like if you were re-styling your wardrobe, taking into account how many and what kind of tops, pants, and jackets you have. This isn't a time to jump into judging how well or poorly you've stuck to your fitness plans and it doesn't mean guilting yourself into some mega-fitness routine. Simply take an assessment of where you are right now - without guilt and without judgment. Grab a sheet of paper and answer these questions to get started:
Where am I spending big chunks of my time? At work? At home? Carpooling the kids? Commuting to the office?
When do I have free time? If any - early mornings before work? Mid-day? After the kids are in bed?
What responsibilities are drawing on my time? Maybe you finally have free time because the kids are back in school, maybe you're still juggling between in-office and work from home, or maybe you are taking care of an older family member. Maybe you moved to a new home closer to a park or farther from the city.
Whatever your life looks like right now, it's important to take this into account so you can be realistic in your plans. If you’ve got work deadlines or a baby keeping you up all night, it's probably not realistic that you'll hop out of bed at 4:30 am to get in a workout and that’s important to know and incorporate into your expectations and fitness style, which is next on our list…
2. Choose your style
Laidback? Fancy? Just like your outfit for the day, you can choose your fitness style. You don’t have to commit to just one style of workout you can fit in movement how, where, and when it best fits. Ask yourself these questions to pick your style of movement and exercise:
How do I enjoy moving my body? If the thought of Zumba makes you feel like you have two left feet? Then maybe an indoor walking class is more your speed. If going to the gym for strength training is out of the question, then a fit, fun, at-home arm toning workout is more your style.
Do I prefer to exercise alone or in a group or both? Going solo? On-demand classes are a great way to get in that movement on your time. If group exercise is more your style? Try a live group class online and join others that want to move like you. Do both options seem like a good fit? Then a fitstyle membership is just your style.
Be creative and feel free to mix and match depending on the day! If you have a non-stop day with meetings and meal prep for you and your family, your style may be focused on movement while you make dinner. If you’re stuck at the computer, leg extensions can get you moving right in place. When you add movement to your day, it doesn't have to be complicated or take up a full hour of your time. Pick a fitness style that fits you that day.
3. Accessorize
Once you've decided what’s included in your fitness style - exercises, types of movements, it's time to accessorize. This is where you can add a personal touch that makes your fitstyle totally your own. So maybe you've decided that you take a walk at the end of the workday. You can accessorize that walk with your favorite playlist to keep you at a brisk pace. Your fitstyle accessories can range from a water bottle to hand weights and everything in between. To easily accessorize your fitstyle ask yourself:
What do I need to complete a successful workout or add movement to my day? Your sneakers? A yoga mat? A change of clothes?
Where do I need to put these items to make it easy for myself? Near the front door so I remember to grab them on my way out? Do I need to dress for work and fitness? Keeping items in sight keeps you on track! Put your hand weights next to your computer and you’ll easily remember to do those curls while on a conference call. Don’t be shy about using sticky notes with reminders.
Accessorizing is how you create strong habits and truly own your fitstyle. Whether you’re choosing a water bottle workout between meetings or a resistance band workout while the baby naps, having these kind of cues in your everyday life will help you stay consistent! And it’s consistency and repetition with that reward of feeling good - that creates habits.
Now look back at your answers, this is YOUR fitstyle. Your plan to uniquely move your body, get in more steps, or add exercise with ease to your busy day. The Fitstyle approach is all about bringing exercise into activities and tasks that we're already doing and creating a habits along the way. It’s all about starting where you are and having the flexibility to change as you go, just like your wardrobe. If you’re just getting started or want extra support you can work with me one-on-one.
Leave a comment below and let me know what does your time inventory look like. Where are you spending most of your time during the day?