Well, that didn’t work – Finding your Fitness Match

Ever look at pictures on Instagram or Facebook and say “I did (insert diet or fitness program here) and didn’t have those results” or “good gosh, I do not understand how she gets up so early to workout. I am just not a morning person.” It can be frustrating when you’re on your own journey, and see everyone else having luck with the same things you’ve tried, without the same results.

But there’s an important reason why this happens: you’re you, and they’re them. Not everyone will enjoy the same things, not everyone’s body’s will have the same reaction, and not everyone has the same resources (be it time, money or motivation) to make it work.

I love to run, even though I’m not BQ fast, but I know there are so many people that just don’t enjoy it, and that’s okay. I am just not a Cross-Fit person. Nothing about it appeals to me, but I know a ton of people that have changed their lives with it. It works for them, that is all that matters.

So how do you find your thing?

- Know what you like. If you like dancing, try something like Zumba or Turbo Jam. If you like being pushed to your limit, but at your own pace, try classes like Unite Fitness in the Philly area or workout at home with Insanity Max:30. If you like focusing on getting strong, take a Body Pump class at a local gym, or try something like Body Beast, or the 21 Day Dix Extreme (my current obsession). If you love meat, don’t go vegan. If you are lactose intolerant, don’t force yourself to go whole, and only drink whole milk and eat real butter. If you don’t enjoy it, you won’t stick with it.

– Know your limitations. If it’s been years since you went for a run, don’t try to do 10 miles on your first run back. If you only have 30 minutes to workout and stretch each day, don’t get a membership to a bikram yoga studio. If you can’t afford an expensive gym membership, don’t let that be your excuse, there are a million (likely not an exaggeration) ways you can get a good workout without a gym. If you start to resent your workouts or your nutrition plan, you won’t stick with it.

– Have a support system. Even if you prefer to workout alone, having someone or a group of people to check in with regularly to make sure you’re sticking to your plans is a great way to ensure you stay on track. Your family, even if they aren’t working out with you, need to understand and support what you’re doing. They need to understand why you need time to workout, why your making changes to the meals they’re eating, why you’re making yourself the most important person for at least part of the day.

- Be prepared. Any new workout, or nutrition plan, whether for weight loss, general health improvement or to get stronger, is not going to be easy all the time. If it is, you’re probably not doing it right. But if you know not every day is going to make you feel like a million bucks, you’ll be prepared to move past it and continue on instead of giving up.

– Get moving. Once you make the decision to get started, don’t wait. Use whatever motivated you to think about it and get going.

What’s your fitness personality?

What made you get motivated to start your journey?

Who wants a little accountability help?