I’ll be honest, I’m probably not the ultimate source for fitness advice and information since there are a million sites and instagram accounts dedicated solely to this movement, but I wanted to share a little progress report and what I’ve learned in these last ten weeks after I got serious about it. Embracing fitness and the right nutrition has been pretty life changing on my end, so I hope that you’re able to take away something from this post that will motivate and challenge you the same way it has for me.
Lesson #1: Finding a workout buddy! Whether it’s your best friend, significant other, neighbor, co-worker or someone you just met, it really does help. Last summer after I got back from Tokyo and Thailand I was ready to embrace a fit lifestyle but I didn’t really know where to start. This city offers literally thousands of options. After debating it for a while, I decided on personal training since that is kind of like having a workout buddy. However, no matter how much I loved it, and I really did (Kevin at Balance on Wisconsin is amazing!) I couldn’t deny the fact that it was just too expensive. So when my friend Carla Cabrera came to me and suggested we worked out together, I was totally on board! It has been the best decision I’ve ever made. Having someone motivate you and hold you accountable is half the battle.
Lesson #2: Find a fitness program that has proven results and something you’ll be excited to stick to. We are now on week 10 of Kayla’s Bikini Body 12 week program and absolutely loving it. I started following Kayla on instagram and kept seeing the transformations she was posting that almost seemed too good to be true. But let me tell you, her program works! The workouts are tough but they’re only 30min each and are effective. As the weeks go on, the program gets more challenging but your body adapts and becomes strong enough to push through. The results are undeniable.
Lesson #3: Embracing clean eating and the right nutrition for YOU and your lifestyle. Again, there are millions of diets, studies and levels of vegetarianism to choose from but it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to jump on the bandwagon and embrace the latest fad. I love what vegans stand for, but realistically it’s not something my body is able to handle at this point of my life. So I decided on something less drastic that I knew I would be able to stick to. I cut out inflammatory and processed foods, unhealthy fats, carbs, sugar and dairy. Paleo and clean eating has been fairly easy for me because my favorite things on earth are veggies and delicious proteins. However, I also had to learn how to get creative with my meals and learn to make hearty veggies like brussel sprouts, kale, squash, etc. It’s been a little bit of a challenge but also truly rewarding. I now practice mindful eating –knowing what I put into my body and why has been rejuvenating!
Lesson #4: Find apps that will help you stay motivated. My favorite discovery so far aside from my addiction to my Fitbit and the sleep tracker, is the YouFood app. I don’t have time for calorie counting apps (and don’t really believe in it anyway) but I did want to keep a food journal. YouFood has a wonderful community of foodies and healthy meal inspiration. The app will help you keep track of what you eat by simply taking photos of your meals. It also helps you remember your fav meals and get inspiration from others. If you download it, my user name is kitkatya23. Add me!
Lesson #5: Get cute workout gear! We all know that when you look good you feel good. I learned that the same really does apply to working out. I won’t lie, I have been slightly obsessing over patterned leggings and comfy hoodies. I just can’t get enough. Oh and don’t spend too much, you can find the best deals on awesome Nike and Adidas gear at your local Nordstrom Rack. If you feel like splurging, that’s ok too … Lululemon does make some good tights, that’s for sure. I’m also excited about all the new up and coming brands that are now on the market. I included some of my favorite styles in this post.
I think this is it for now. Please share with me what works for you! I love being part of the fitness and nutrition community and hope to connect with other likeminded people.
Photo credit: Sara N.
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