Intro

I made it my primary goal to kickstart my fitness journey in 2023. Specifically, I want to workout 5 times per week. That’s it. There is no end date, no specific metrics to measure. Simply show up 5 times a week and put in the effort. The rest of my motives (strength and muscle gains, feeling good about my body, overall health and wellness) will come over time as the habit becomes a lifestyle. Below I share a bit of background on why this is important to me, and what I’m doing to stick to these goals. Of course, I’m also sharing my favorite gym fits, accessories, and other items that keep me going throughout the week!

My Why

Before getting pregnant, I was consistently going to the gym and staying very active (5 times per week). I had achieved exciting strength goals at the gym, and felt very fit and healthy. It was impacting my mental health in a positive way too! As I went through pregnancy, labor, postpartum, motherhood, etc., I fell out of these habits. My focus shifted from planning a workout to making a birth plan, from taking time driving to the gym to taking time to pump – you get the point. Compound this with the fact that our business was growing quickly at the same time, and I found it very difficult to justify even a quick workout at home when there were so many other things on my to-do list. 

I’ve begun to realize how much I miss having that time to focus on my mental and physical health. So, I’m making resolutions to reinstate the habit, and I want to share the top 4 things that are going to help keep me on track – hopefully they could help you too!

1. Early morning workouts: For me, this is the best time to get a workout in. All too often I find myself pushing my workout later into the day so I can do more important things. Suddenly it’s 10pm and I still have 3 things on my to-do list. Knock it out early.
2. Lay out my gym clothes the night before: This is like completing the first step of the habit before you even start. If you’ve already done step 1, you’re more likely to do step 2, 3, 4, and so on.
3. Follow a workout program: This eliminates guesswork. I know exactly what to do when I start my workout. It’s also the best way to track progress and follow a plan that will help you achieve your goal. I will share my specific workout program in a coming newsletter this month.
4. Eat right: I have an entire blog post on what this means specifically, but at a high level it includes focusing on eating whole foods, meal prepping if appropriate, and determining how much you should be eating based on your goals. You can read the “What I Eat in a Day Blog” here

My Workout Essentials

These are my gym essentials – outfits, pre-workout, accessories, headphones. Some of it might seem unimportant, but having the right gear can have a positive impact on your workouts. Below are some specific favorites for gym tops and bottoms.

Next up is gym accessories. From headphones to preworkout, this list will cover what you need to get the most out of your workouts.

I’d love to hear from you! Let me know your thoughts, what habits you implement to stick to your goals, or other items you love to use for your gym days! As always, thanks for reading and I will see you in the next one!

Xx – Liz