This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FitToPlay with Playtex® Sport®! #CollectiveBias
Fitness. Losing weight. I don’t think anyone has been immune to thinking about this, even obsessing over it on occasion. New Year’s Eve rolls around and people (me included!) vow to REALLY buckle down and make the new year THE year of being fit, healthy and happy. Well, that has definitely been me for almost a decade. I’ve had my ups and downs with my commitment to fitness, but it just hasn’t stuck. Here I am, overweight and back to square one.
Everyone needs a game plan, especially for things as hard as getting fit and staying fit. Because let’s admit it… it’s not easy. It sucks! It’s not easy so it’s even more important that you are prepared to handle any and all obstacles that will come in your way. And come they will. That’s why I’m here today, still struggling on my journey to being healthier and more active.
Failure sucks, but I’m going to try to make lemonade out of these lemons by reflecting on what went wrong and helping myself not to make the same mistakes! I CAN DO THIS.
1. How Am I Going to Stay Fit?
What kind of exercise appeals to you? For me, I like to do things outside that don’t seem like exercise. This is great for warmer months when I can go hiking and take long walks outside. I LOVED doing this when I was in Japan and looked forward to it every night after work. It doesn’t feel like exercise, I get some fresh air and being around nature is so relaxing. Some research shows that exercise outdoors makes you more likely to want to exercise again and boosts your mood. You can’t argue with that!
While I love walking outside, you won’t catch me on a treadmill or elliptical anymore. I used to rely on those two for my workouts in the gym but they are just too boring. Ugh, even thinking about it makes me antsy. I just can’t do it! Group exercise though… that I can do. It’s fast-paced, fun and my mind is always occupied because I’m constantly trying to follow the instructors every move in class. I actually look forward to going. I also started doing yoga, which has done wonders for my relaxation levels. Although it doesn’t burn a ton of calories, it’s totally worth it for the mental benefits.
2. Staying Active Should Be Comfortable, Right?
Exercise isn’t comfortable. I’m pushing my body’s capabilities and some days it feels like nothing will ever change. I remember when I first starting doing squats I could barely do one and I was so embarrassed in class. By the end of that year, I was squatting like a pro! It may take time but change will happen if I put in the work. And to put in that work, I need to be as comfortable as possible so I’m prepared to go hard at whatever I’m doing during my day.
For me, investing in a great pair of tennis shoes has been groundbreaking for my motivation to stay active. I had a huge learning curve with tennis shoes, but I finally found a pair that work extremely well for me. I went to a running company in town and they looked at my walk and recommended a shoe based on how I distribute my weight through my feet. I would really recommend finding a store to do that because it made a huge difference for me! I was constantly getting blisters and very hot feet before I got my Brooks. It might be pricier but if you are going to invest in anything, invest in a quality pair of tennis shoes! Think about how much use those babies get. Yeah, they are pretty important.
A huge challenge for me personally though is THAT time of the month. I actually have PCOS, so my periods are very irregular and I never know when they are going to show. When they do, I need to be prepared. That time is never comfortable, but exercise actually helps ease symptoms so it’s even more important to stay active during that time! Playtex® Sport® Combo Packs are convenient because they come with tampons and either pads or liners, so you’re covered for any situation. They are comfortable and more importantly, keep you dry. No one wants to feel icky while bouncing around, am I right? :/ Their sport liners have FlexFit, designed to twist and turn with your body so you can confidently stay active. Being supported down there has a huge effect on my attitude towards hitting the gym during my menses! I grab mine at Walmart, where you can find them in the feminine care aisle. This March, you can find them on the endcap displays. Mine was a little tricky to find since it was right across from the pharmacy with the medicine.
3. What Mindset Am I Going to Have For This?
I’m so hard on myself. It’s so true that people extend their kindness and empathy to others, but give themselves the hardest time possible. When I fall off the wagon, I totally beat myself up about it and kind of give up hope that I can do it. That is not good! I’m finding that I do much better with baby steps. It’s OK to splurge every once in awhile, even take a day or two off from the gym if I’m not feeling it or have too much to do. If I eat horribly for a few days, I can just take a deep breathe and get back at it. It’s not the end of the world.
I think the mental change is the hardest. You really have to realign your thinking. I’m keeping myself in check by talking to my friends who know my goals and can understand where I’m coming from. I also started a vision board to keep me grounded in the reasons why I am doing this. I’m at the age where I’m thinking of starting a family, so I’m focusing on that and putting my energy into positive thinking and just plain kindness towards myself. I’m only human and I make mistakes just like everyone else. It’s not the end of the world and I can do this!
Happy vibes! To all my ladies going down the hard path of being (and staying!) active, what do you do to keep yourself motivated? Leave me a comment below, I would love to hear your tips. 😀
Want to see more? NEW! Playtex® Sport® now available in Pads, Liners and Combo Packs at Walmart! Now Sport Level Protection™ pads, liners and combo packs with Flexfit™ design to twist and turn with your body. Don’t let your period get in the way. PlayOn! Why not visit your local Walmart and check them out yourself? 😉
Like what you see? 😀 Follow It’s Autumn’s Life on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Google for more travel, foodie, lifestyle posts and more!
