5 Tips to stay on the fitness track

As a personal trainer and business owner, my schedule can differ from week to week. Sometimes appointments are changed at the last minute. I may start my day with just a few things on my schedule and it ends up being a busy day. That's just part of the job.

It would be difficult if didn't to get anything done, including my workouts, if I didn't do a few key things.

1. Know where my priorities are.
This means that I know what absolutely has to be done each day. If something comes up to take me from what's most important, I say no. Conversely, I try not to waste my time on things that don't matter.

2. I set fitness goals.

I'm either training for a specific event or I'm on 'off season'. Either way, I have goals. This way, I know what I need to accomplish in each workout, each week.

3. Knowing what I need accomplished each week & each day, I schedule my week's workouts.

For example, I know how many runs, bikes & swims I need to get in. I also know how many resistance training workouts I need. From there, I schedule my own workouts, just as if it were an appointment with a client.

I place high priority on my workouts, but it's not necessarily the highest. A few things (very few, but a few) come before this - just like it is with my clients.

4. I have a backup plan for when things go awry.

I rarely skip a workout even if something more important come up. I simply look at my week, and fit it into one of my scheduled days off (I take two per week) OR, if I can do it the same day later, then I will.

5. I know my limits

I know how many appointments I can handle, know when I need a nap & know when I just need to take a break from everything. If I kept pushing, I would inevitably work myself to the point I had nothing left for myself.

Dance for exercise

My husband and I are ballroom dance teachers and have recently started teaching at Arizona Classical Ballet.

I'm always amazed at how much fun dancing is, and how great exercise it is! The best part, you don't think of dancing as exercise because it's so fun. I mean, how often do you think "I need to get some exercise, I think I'll go dancing."??

And, then I think, shouldn't that be how all exercise is? If you don't enjoy it, why do it?

So, I'm challenging you to find something that's FUN this summer. You might have to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, but it just might be worth it!