Are You Willing To?

The other day I was at the salon, and found myself semi-eavesdropping on the conversation at the next booth. The woman was talking about her weight-loss journey and the different fitness programs she had tried. My stylist quickly interjected “Talk to Meg, she knows all about this stuff.” Ahh…. saved. I was wondering how I was going to work myself into that conversation. I know, sounds nosy, but this is my favorite type of conversation!

We chatted a little about Yoga, Pilates and my experience with different programs on BODi. She told me that she had tried Shakeology, but it hadn’t worked with her stomach. I asked her how long she used it and she replied “a few weeks.”

This conversation really got me thinking. There are SO many different types of fitness programs out there. Everything you can think of from Ballroom Dancing to Boxing. There is also a plethora of different nutrition programs. This can be problematic. When you have tons of options it is easy to yo-yo, constantly looking for the next best thing.

The truth is, there is no “best thing.” There are a lot of great things, but there is no quick fix. For example, Shakeology is something I have seen amazing benefits from, but I certainly didn’t see them in 2 weeks. And as far as exercise goes, I am going to let you in on a little secret.

It really doesn’t matter which program you do

Shocking I know, but trust me – I have done the leg work. What really matters, in ALL things, is CONSISTENCY. But before we dive into that, I want to share my thoughts on why it is hard for so many people, to just start.

For me, it comes down to one thing, you have to be willing to. Because lets be honest, the path is messy.

About 10 years ago I started teaching a free Pilates class at the Public Library. I usually started off with about 30 people and by class 2 I was down to about 15. The attrition was REAL. I remember one woman telling me that she was sore for an entire week after the first class. I expect that some people did not like the class (or me), but I also know that many were simply not willing to experience the discomfort.

You have to be willing to. It will be hard. It will take time. It won’t be convenient.

Consistency is Key

Just as important as your willingness to try is your willingness to prioritize.

In preparation for this post, I put up a poll in my Instagram stories, asking how often you prioritize yourself. 75% of people who participated in the poll, said they prioritize themselves little to never. I get it. I haven’t gone to the bathroom alone in like 8 years! But, after my second child I made a decision to carve out time for myself. I cannot tell how significant this decision was. Will it be easy? Again, no. Your kids might jump all over you (mine did), your significant other might get annoyed with you (mine did), you might have to sacrifice something else (sleeping in<workout). But with consistency, the people in your life will recognize how important this time is for you.

Follow a program. I cannot stress how important this is. Why make it harder on yourself? I use the BODi app and follow a workout plan from beginning to end. Each program is cutting edge and results-driven. Why try to figure it out on your own, when you can have professionals do it for you? The programs are safe for all levels and sequenced intentionally, with warm ups, cool downs, stretching, etc. It takes all the guessing out! As I mentioned before, it matters less what program you choose and more how consistent you are. There have been programs that I have enjoyed more than others, but I always finish them and I always appreciate the results.

You are what you eat. Cringe, but it is true. Nutrients from the food we eat provide the foundation for every cell in our body. Muscle, bones, skin, hair, immunity and digestion all depend on the foods you are putting into your body. So it is no surprise that when you eat well you have lots of energy, and when you eat junk you feel sluggish. But what does it mean to eat well?

A few years ago I bought a book on Amazon and decided that I wanted to find out what Macros were all about. I read the book and it made sense, but then I got the calculation page. All I kept thinking was “this seems like a lot of work.” I was also pretty disappointed when I got to the recipes. Lots of processed ingredients, fake sugars and very few vegetables. There were also a lot of recipes for “fake” versions of otherwise unhealthy meals. It didn’t make a lot of sense to me.

The truth is, it is not that complicated. But as I mentioned before; there is no quick fix. Eating a wholesome, well-balanced diet is a lifestyle. You have to be doing it 90% of the time. In order to do that, you must plan! I use the BODi app for all of my meal planning. There are thousands of recipes, and again, the work is done for you! All of the recipes are healthy, balanced and perfectly portioned. I spend about 10 minutes every Sunday with my Push Journal (motivatedbymegan10 for a discount) mapping out my grocery list. I always screenshot the recipes and save them in my photos. This way I am set to go for the week.

Drink water and mind your business. I don’t think I have to tell you the benefits of water – you know! But why is it so hard? There are tons of hacks out there, and I will share mine. I drink about 24 oz of water before I even leave the house in the morning! First thing in the morning I drink 8 oz of hot water with lemon, then 8 oz with my pre-workout and 8 oz after my workout. If you goal is 64 oz (8 cups) per day, this is a great way to put a dent in it.

If you want to change it, track it. While calculating macros didn’t really do it for me, there are some simple tracking methods that can help. First is a wearable fitness tracker. I wanted an apple watch, but much preferred the look of a Garmin. And the price. It tracks heart rate, steps, sleep, calories, workout stats and monthly cycle – just to name a few. I have the vivomove HR in rose gold.

Another great option is a fitness app like, MyFitnessPal. Combined with a fitness tracker, you will be able to compare calories in vs. calories out, which could give some good insight. When I first started tracking my workouts it was interesting to observe which workouts yielded the higher calorie burn. It is also interesting to track the caloric load of certain foods. For example, a mocha at Starbucks has 370 calories!

Finally, if it is not triggering, tracking your weight can be a good tool. However, I don’t recommend weighing yourself once a week. There are so many things that can effect your weight on a given day. A high-sodium meal, medication, alcohol and menstrual cycle, are just a few of the possible factors. Instead, trying weighing yourself 5x per week, and then taking an average of those numbers.

Supplement. This is definitely a topic that has been new to me over the past few years. For a very long time, I believed that you could get everything you need from a very good diet. I still believe the eating real whole foods can have the biggest impact on your health. However, I have come to learn that quality supplements can enhance your healthy life.

Pre and Probiotics: Hands Down. If you are not taking a probiotic, you need to start. It is critical for protecting and rebuilding the gut. It competes with bad bacteria, regulates digestive function, and can completely overhaul your immune system. One of the biggest things I have noticed, is reduced inflammation. Abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and fatigue are all signs of inflammation in the gut. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I recommend trying a probiotic. The one I linked is a collagen peptide powder with probiotics. I put it in my coffee in the morning!

Liquid Collagen: I know what you are thinking…more collagen?! But yes – I have really upped my game in this category since I turned 40. Collagen in liquid form is digested and absorbed quicker into the bloodstream because the body can process it faster. Since I have started using this product I have noticed such a difference in my skin!

Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin: I may have been influenced on this item, but I am now a believer! Again in liquid form, for maximum absorption. I have noticed such a huge difference in the late afternoon when I tend to lose steam. I have also heard that it can have great effects on your hair. Like all things, you have to give it some time to work!

Shakeology: I have used BODi’s signature protein for years. It is the easiest most nutritious meal of the day! 17 grams of high quality Protein, Pre and Probiotics, Adaptogens, Fiber, Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals. I want to really emphasize the quality of this protein! Packed with superfoods that you just won’t get in your normal diet. I’m not gonna lie, it is pricey, but so worth it. If you are on the fence there is a great starter pack for only $29!

Energize: I never realized how valuable this supplement was until I ran out! If you are a tired mom, or like to get your workout in super early like me, or if you just need a little kick in the butt – then you need this! It is almost hard to explain, but it just gives you a pep in your step. You instantly feel motivated. I look forward to it every morning. As an added benefit, it contains Quercetin, which helps protect against heart disease and cancer.