At Skechers, we’re trying to stay serious about our goals to stay fit – even as our lives are getting busier than ever! We asked Skechers yoga instructor and fitness expert Alicia Murphy for good ways to stay committed to our health goals.
Hello, gorgeous!
I’m stoked to be hanging out today at Skechers’ headquarters. Here at Skechers’ HQ, I teach cutting-edge fitness classes to the staff, whom I lovingly call Team Skechers.
Skechers is all about a healthy lifestyle. To make that philosophy a reality at Skechers, employees have access to different types of fitness classes. There’s yoga, interval training, strength training, corrective exercise, running… a little something for everyone.
Outside of teaching classes at Skechers HQ I also work with clients through my company Stress Monkee. I’ve helped people reach their fitness goals, and let me tell you: what usually keeps most people from sticking to their goals? Plain and simple, too much stress!
We have a ton on our “To-Do” list, which often overwhelms us. This extra distress is a real bummer when you’re working on making changes or forming new habits.
To help give your goals a fighting chance, I have for you:
Three Secrets to Achieving Your Fitness Goals
#1 Keep it Simple, Sweetie – Even the best plan or program won’t work if you can’t stick to it. Here’s the simple truth: if you want to achieve your fitness goals, the secret is consistency.
When we decide we want to make a change, it can be really hard to embrace the process. We want those results now, dang-it! But trying to take on too much too soon will only overwhelm, and you’ll be more likely to throw in the towel.
Give this a try: Make it so simple you can’t say no. What’s the outcome you want? Pick ONE small thing that will take you closer to reaching that goal. For example, want to fit back into your favorite jeans? Commit to walking for 5-10 minutes every single day. After a few weeks, you can kick it up a notch – maybe 15 minutes every day.
Focus on staying consistent. Make it more likely that you’ll stick with it by being super comfy & looking ah-mazing during your workouts. I am in love with my new Skechers Sport sneakers; these shoes have Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam that literally contours to your foot. It’s like walking on little pillows of air. Sweet!
#2 A Stumble May Prevent a Fall – Make this English Proverb one of your “go-to” mantras; it will transform you. Let’s face it, there are going to be obstacles on your journey to reaching your goals. The worst thing you can do when you have a slip-up is to beat yourself up and fill your head with guilt. Research is revealing one of the best ways to create lasting change is to talk to yourself like you would a good friend.
Give this a try: Had a moment of weakness? Ate too many of those yummy treats at the party last night? So what. Rather than going down the path of self-hate, ask yourself, “What did I learn from this that can help me stick to my goal? Next time I’m going to an event where I know there’s going to be tantalizing treats, I’ll mentally rehearse saying ‘No Thank You’ beforehand. This will make it easier for me to stick to my commitment when faced with temptation.”
#3 You CANNOT Out-Train a Poor Diet – Let me repeat that in case you’re not grasping the importance of this one: you cannot out-train a poor diet!
Overly processed food makes it harder for your body to handle stress AND it also causes your body to store excess fat. No bueno. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of eating whole, nutrient-dense foods.
In a sentence: Stop counting calories and instead, focus on how many nutrients are in your food.
Give this a try: I’m making a delicious cocktail here by blending tips #1 & #3. We’re going to keep it simple + consistent with a focus on nutrition.
Switch out some of the starchy carbs in your diet for nutrition-packed veggies. Drop some of the pasta, bread, cereal & chips. Throw in vegetables like broccoli, sweet potato, asparagus & dark green lettuce. Wowza! You’ll see your health and fitness shoot to a whole new level.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below:
What strategy or tip do you use to stick to your fitness goals?
Alicia Murphy is a fitness expert for people who want to take their health to a new level by training their stress response. Through her totally addictive HAPPYness Hours, free challenges + virtual programs, she’s here to help you shake up your approach to stress—and learn to use it as a tool to achieve your goals. When she’s not coaching, you can find her running on the beach, hanging out at Disneyland with her son or indulging in sips of wine. Meet Alicia + transform stress into your SUPERPOWER at StressMonkee.com.
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