I found this on Pinterest the other day.
We know optimal fitness stems from a combination of diet and exercise but apparently having a super-lean, ripped body is more a by-product of dietary discipline than it is of faithful workouts.
I am proud that I’ve been in the workout vortex for almost 15 years now. Through pregnancies, injuries, and miscellaneous turmoil life tends to dish out sometimes, I’ve always managed to stay on (or quickly re-board) the workout wagon.
Before it became a lifestyle though, I’d go in fits and spurts: I dabbled in aerobics and step classes back in the day. I’d hit the gym almost every day for months but then? Hiatus. Lather-rinse-repeat.
What was the magic bullet that finally caused me to slip into the vortex?
Three Things:
1. Workout Partner: The Caveman and I were workout partners before we were husband and wife. We kept each other accountable. Although we seldom workout together anymore, we still support each other in our efforts. Friends, coaches, running club members, really anyone can help hold you accountable.
2. Goals/Challenges: High school and college days notwithstanding, the first fitness challenge I took on was a bench press contest against none other than the Caveman. I was not on the winning end of that one but I’m still proud of the training I did for it (hello bench press was completely foreign territory for me). Since I’ve gotten into running, putting races on the calendar keeps me moving toward a goal.
3. Variety: All the same training all the time invites boredom and burnout. Change it up. I’m doing more strength training and cycling now and you know what? I’m running stronger because of it.
Now for the other part of the equation: the food aspect. While essentially I eat well, I can’t say that really disciplined eating is second nature for me.
I eat well in fits and spurts, much like the way exercise used to be for me. I have generally good eating habits, but sometimes they slip away. Too many sweet treats and boredom eating are my downfalls.
I suspect the very same answers I gave above in the exercise section apply to diet success as well. I just haven’t applied them consistently enough for them to become habitual….yet.
