fitness on the go

Naughty or nice?

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The holidays are right around the corner. Erratic schedules and overindulgences during the Most Wonderful Time of the Year can take their toll on the body. But you don’t have to feel powerless. In fact, the opposite is true. It is possible to stay (mostly) on track and not feel in control even when we’re feeling more naughty than nice. Here are a few tips:

Know that every workout counts, no matter how short. Do you have a busy few days ahead of you? Can you carve out 20 minutes for an ab workout? Even if you have to do abbreviated versions of your workout, it’s still a win.

Give yourself some grace. If you know that fitness may get pushed to the back burner, it’s OK to be honest with yourself and acknowledge that. I find that keeping my diet in check helps my mindset if my workouts are limited.

Make it fun. This time of year there are many themed races. You can walk or run while getting energized in a group setting. Plus, it’s fresh air and that’s never a bad idea.

Celebrate small victories. When life gets crazy sometimes we have to appreciate the little things. Two workouts in a week are better than not at all. Don’t lose sight of your progress.

Adapt. If you’re out of town and don’t have access to a gym, there are plenty of bodyweight workouts you can do on the fly. No equipment needed!

Up the ante on accountability. Sometimes we need an external force to help us through when motivation is lacking. Don’t forget about my small group training sessions. Offered on demand, this 60-minute total body workout incorporates strength training, light cardio and abs. This class is suitable for healthy active adults and can be adapted depending on the skill and fitness level of participants. All sessions are by appointment only and offered in a semi-private facility at Absolute Results Southwest, 4126 Engleton Drive. Email me to get the conversation started!

Fit on the road: How to stay on track

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This topic is top of mind, as I will be traveling this week. If your job or lifestyle requires you to be on the road (or in an airplane) a lot, you might find it challenging to maintain a consistent workout schedule. But you don't have to sacrifice your fitness. It just calls for some forethought. Here’s how you can stay on track on the road.

First off, do your research about amenities. Know that many hotels have gyms on-site. They usually have the basics and some are even equipped with machines and apparatuses. If you’re not staying in a hotel, you might have to get more creative. Here are a few of my go-to activities:

Walk: Walking is a great low-impact activity and it doesn’t require any equipment! Make it a point to walk for at least 30 minutes at a moderate pace to get your heart rate up.

Stretch: Put simply, stretching does the body good. And just like with walking, it’s easy to integrate into your routine. While not strenuous, stretching boosts a myriad of benefits that can help you in your overall fitness regimen. Try this sequence from Health to prepare your body for a flight.

Get on the “band”-wagon: A resistance band is versatile and takes up little to no space in your bag! Keep up your strength-training routine on the road with these 20 total-body exercises.

If you travel often, how do you take your workout on the road?