5 Tips to Keep and Reach you New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!

With a new year comes a great opportunity to think about our lives and think up ways to make this year even better than last year.  Here are 5 tips that I use to keep and hopefully reach my new year resolutions. 
The first tip is to set smaller and timed goals to help you reach the main goal.  One year can be an overwhelming time frame.  It can also cause you to lose your momentum and excitement.  By creating smaller timed goals you are making less daunting changes.  Also it is easier to think "I can do this for 30 days!"  Once you reach that smaller goal you have created a habit and added the excitement of reaching a goal. 
The second tip is to always keep your resolutions and smaller goals visible.  Either keeping them in your planner, creating a colorful poster, or posting sticky-notes everywhere giving yourself a visible reminder will help remind you of what you are working towards.  If you add the time frame until reaching your next smaller goal you will also add excitement.  This will also remind yourself that you can do it!
The third tip is to get others involved.  Studies have shown that talking about your goals makes you more likely to achieve.  Getting others involved in your goals also makes it more fun!  You will also be less likely to cheat if you are working with friends or family.  Be each other's cheerleaders!  Yay for encouragement!
The fourth tip is to stay hydrated.  Keep a bottle of water with you at all times!  No matter what your new year resolutions are, staying hydrated will help.  If your resolution is to lose weight, drinking water will obviously help.  But hydration will also help your mood and health.  Everything is better when you have a positive outlook and healthy!
The final tip is to never give up!  Always remember that even if you are slow reaching your goal, you are still lapping the person not trying or that already gave up.  If you need to adjust your smaller goals time frames, do it!  Just keep taking small steps towards your resolution and you will make it!
What new years resolutions did you make this year?  Do you use any other tips to help you achieve your goals?  Would love to reach our goals together!
Hope these tips help you reach your new years resolutions this year! 

Love always
See you soon

Fitness Update: Braving the Spin

After a couple months getting my footing with the Barre Pilates class I have been taking, a friend of mine convinced me to take a spin class with her.  Well really she said "I took this class with you and now you have to take a spin class with me."  hahaha  I know what a bunch of you are thinking.  I am clumsy walking on a good day.  How would I ever walk away from a spin class in one piece.  My only hope was that the class is on stationary bikes. 
One of the aspects of Barre Pilates I love is the easy gear.  During the warmer months I would show up in flip-flops.  The mat and bands are all provided for me.  This is not the case for spin.  My friend was so happy showing me her cool spin shoes that were made to clip right onto the bike and special spin shorts that contain extra cushion in the tushy section for a more comfortable class.  She then informed me that my bum was probably going to be quite sore tomorrow. 
And in comes the doubt.  Was this actually going to be a fun workout or a form of torture?  I was really starting to get concerned.
We were among the first people into the spin room.  After deciding on bikes, I opted for one near the fan, I learned that not only does the seat move up and down and forward and back, but the hand part moves multiple ways too!  It was starting to become overwhelming and then the instructor came in.  She took extra time to make sure I was comfortable and correct in my pose on the bike.  After ensuring that I was secure she also told me a little about the class.  She showed me different techniques she would be calling out to the class.  She started going over the jumps.  Yes, you heard correctly.  Spin class is about doing jumps and sprints on stationary bikes. 
Thankfully one thing I have learned about group fitness classes is that the instructors are there to facilitate the push, but also offer easier alternatives to make everything doable even for a beginner like myself.
The spin class lasted for 1 hour.  It was such a rush!  The instructor choreographer the "ride" to go with the music.  We did sprints, jumps, hills, and long climbs all based on the resistance we set on our own bike.  It was great.  I felt the cardio burn and the sweat, but had a blast learning something new.  The jumps are no joke!  They are timed like dance moves and are quick and controlled.  And they really work your legs!
I am so glad my friend pushed me to take the spin class with her.  I plan on joining her again next week.  It was such a different class, but I loved the challenge!
And yes, in case you are wondering, my bum killed the next day. 
Have you ever taken a spin class or ever thought of taking one but got too scared?  Do you have another cardio class you love that you think I should try?  Would love to hear from you!

See you soon!
Love always

Scheduling Motivation

With the start of a new week I have set myself a new goal.  No more excuses.  I have told myself this time and time again.  So I had to think "what is different this time?"  How can I make this stick?
Hopefully I have found a way around my excuses.  My new motivation is scheduling!  The rest of my life is crazy scheduled between my husband's work and band, Skyler's school, homework, and extra-curriculums, Zoe's doctor appointments and play dates, my parents, and life's errands and responsibilities.  I just need to start making working out and my health a responsibility as well.
This week is going to be my planning time.  I am going to figure out walking with some other moms I have been walking with, figuring out what group fitness classes I want to take and then I am going to schedule them into the family calendar.  I am going to make mommy unavailable for set times each week.  Fingers crossed!
Have you ever tried this?  I sort of feel anxious taking this time for myself.  Would love any encouragement you have!  Please leave a comment below.
See you soon!
Love always

What do I do now?

Being a mom and trying to add cardio to my life is so difficult when hurricanes decide to dump meters of rain for days on end.  As you know from one of my previous posts, I love taking walks with my kids.  They both love looking at nature and I think it is great for kids to be outside as much as possible.  But this weather is making excuses so easy!
For the past few days I have been relying on my Fitbit to keep me going.  I have the Flex and I love it.  Not only is it great that I can change the bracelet to match my outfit or day, but I can also keep track of how many steps I take each day.  I find that being able to look and see that I have only stepped 1,000 steps or less than a mile really motivates me to get up and move.  I try to find different ways to move whether it is cleaning, doing laundry, or playing a more active game with the kids.
I also really love the competitions on Fitbit!  I am a competitive person, so seeing my husband ahead of me in steps really makes me want to get up and move.  Thankfully he is layed back enough to not mind my victory dances.
The only thing I wish was available is a stroller option.  Fitbit figures out steps by movement, so pushing a stroller is not always picked up.  Maybe it could be another option with the hands.  A person could choose between dominant, non-dominant, and stroller.  I am sure there are other times in life that a person walks a bunch, but does not move his or her arm very much.

Do you have a fitness tracker?  Does it have a stroller option?  How do you like it? Please leave comments and let me know.

See you soon!
Love always

Working it

The reality of all mommies is getting back into shape.  I will be totally honest and admit that I wasn't too motivated to work out at first.  I was more focused on the health challenges of Zoe and exhaustion.
But recently I have been trying to slim down and get my energy back.  A couple days a week I do meet with other mommies in the community to walk and motivate each other.  My favorite cardio is taking walks with Zoe.  She drinks her bottle and looks around oooh and aaahhing and things she finds interesting.  Skyler loves rocks and it seems Zoe is amazed by leaves.

She totally does not appreciate the effort.

But she loves looking around.  Especially at Mommy!

Today I walked 3 miles in about 50 minutes.  Each mile was about  17.5 minutes long.  Not my fastest, but still a good time.  I wish FitBit had a "pushing stroller with toddler" exercise function.  It is definitely a great workout!
Listening to music is a must while walking.  I feel like I walk longer and faster to the beat of the music.  Spotify has some great playlists for cardio. I found one that is cardio for bpm and it is so helpful to keep my pace going!  Do you listen to a fave song?  Any tips for keeping the motivation going?
See you soon!
Love always