One word: ‘IT’. At least 3 different people asked me this week “how do you do ‘IT’ every day?” Huh? I responded the first time like a juvenile. What is ‘IT’? I do not think about ‘IT’. ‘IT’ is embedded into my body and soul. Workout and eating right is what I do and I am willing to take everyone I meet on that journey. I am a little bit crazy and know how I want to feel. This week at Camp Burn Fitness boot camp our theme was “How bad do you want it?”

                 “Don’t cry to quit! Cry to keep going…
             You are already in pain, you are already hurt!”
                     There are no excuses for failure.
Those are words Eric Thomas used to motivate his new prospect.

Along my journey I have learned the following:

1)      Investing in ME is priority. Yes (before you wonder), I am a mother however if I am not okay no one in my household will be okay. So stop kidding yourselves thinking you are giving your best if your best does not start with you. “If the well is dry no one can get water from it” an old saying my beloved grandmother would mumble frequently.

2)      Always have a plan. The fact is: if you do NOT have a plan, then by default your plan is to fail. Think about it, write it down and share it with someone. This will help you stay on track. Know when your workout times are, know what you are having for every meal and snack at least 2 days in advance (create a mini meal plan). Treat your workout times like you would any other important appointment. Just in case you have forgotten…Ahem boot camp times at Camp Burn Fitness: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7PM and Saturdays 7AM (shameless plug LOL). Personal training, small group regular and suspension training to fit your schedule.

3)      Banish negative thoughts. Do the opposite of what Nike says:  Just DON’T do it.

Have a solid plan, enjoy the ride; it’s your body and your life. Live it with confidence regardless of where you are in your journey. The real question here is: What is your ‘IT’?

Share with us what your personal challenges are and what you struggle most with. It will help to lay it out there.

I am currently writing this on a beautiful day off in south Florida. Chilling by the beach and thinking how nice it would be to have some good ol’ fried seafood and then a light bulb moment…”It is so not worth it”.  I know I will regret it the moment I put my fork down.  That inspired me (after testing our next boot camp workout) to put pen to paper and think about how we all struggle to stay on track.

Look people, there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with having or wanting to have a ‘six pack’ but wanting it alone does not get it. You have to work for it.

Sometimes we just want to turn off our minds and have someone tell us what to do when we go workout. We sometimes need some extra oomph to keep you going and just feed off the energy of the instructor and the solidarity of the people sweating beside you.

Focus on all forms of exercise – that is the only way: Cardio and Strength.  This along with eating healthy around 80% of the time will get the job done.  No need to feel overwhelmed take baby steps and make small changes in your everyday routine until 1% becomes 90%. Yikes! enough with the over setting of goals…set ONE or two manageable goals and when those are accomplished set two more. Use your support system, lean on them hey even if they complain using their inside voice you’re getting to your end goal, right?

How to Do the Basic Squat

1. Stand with a comfortable stance. Most will prefer their feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart with toes turned out at a slight angle.
2. Lower yourself by reaching back with your butt while maintaining a strong lower back. Keep your knees aligned with your toes and your toes and heel on the ground.
3. Chest up, upper back tight, eyes looking forward, head in a neutral position. Maintain a nice cohesive line along your spine.
4. Go to a sitting position (beginners) or just below parallel, so that your butt drops below your knees (advanced).
5. Come back up by pushing through the heel.