Kettlebell Queen's Blog #2
Why start a fitness program in January?
Hey guys! Happy New Year to you all. I hope the New Year finds you well & you had a great holiday season.
Every year at this time is when a lot of people make their New Year's resolution about fitness and health. This is great, but why this time of year?
The new year brings new beginnings, hope and a fresh start. As the year begins to drag on, people sometimes slip into old habits, whether it be making poor choices with nutrition, or going MIA at the gym, picking up old vices, and not taking care of their bodies in general. That is why the New Year is a good time for a reset, and to start a workout and nutrition program. With the new year comes optimism and hope, and that can help to fuel the motivation to begin something new.
Turning the page on the calendar is also good for the mind and the body. When the mind and the body is in sync it is easier to start and keep consistent with a fitness program. When body the mind and body work together, it can not only help with motivation, but it can also help with adherence to a plan or program.
Another reason to start a fitness program in January is the increased activity in gyms and fitness centers. With more people starting fitness routines this time of year, it may be easier to find a workout buddy or join new and fun exercise classes.
With New Year's resolutions comes new goals. If you are an athlete and want to become better at your sport, if you have an upcoming life event that you want to look good for, or be able to run around with your kids and not get fatigued, this time of year would be a good starting point.
Whatever your motivation is, new beginning, a goal that you have set for yourself, or to just be healthier overall, January is the perfect time to start a fitness program!
Kettlebell Queen's Blog #3
Tips for Exercising during the Summer Season
Finally! The nice weather is here, and we can be outdoors, go for walks, and hit the beach. With this new found freedom comes celebrations, vacations, beach weekends, etc. With all of that fun, it can be tough to navigate when you are trying to keep your fitness goals on track. I have a few ideas, tips and tricks that you can do so that you can stay the course and still have an amazing summer!
#1) Plan ahead
As you know planning ahead is key to staying with your fitness and health goals, and planning ahead for summer is no different. Take a look at your schedule. Whether it be parties, weekend getaways, or a vacation, look at how far out you are from your event and plan ahead with your food prep and gym sessions, and you can plan an event day as an off day.
#2) Eat a small meal/snack before an event
If you have a party or celebration coming up and you know there will be a lot of goodies and drinks, you can really keep on the straight and narrow by eating something small beforehand, so you are not as hungry when you get there. You can still have the chips and dip, cocktails, or decadent dessert, but just have a smaller portion.
#3) High Intensity Workouts
Making the most of your time on vacation is a must--and you don't want to spend a lot of time in the gym. So get creative and switch it up! Keep the workouts shorter but keeping the intensity high. Try doing 40/15, 30/10, 20/10 intervals doing various movements like squat, push, pull, hinge, and rotational movements. Doing those movements will give you a well-rounded workout instead of only hitting one or two body parts.
#4 Get out of the Gym
One of the fun things about Summer is partaking in summer sports. Instead of going to the gym while on vacation, make use of amenities that your resort or hotel has to offer. Maybe that is SUP, Yoga on the beach, an outdoor Spin class, using hiking trails, or swimming in the pool or beach. That will change things completely and you may not feel like a "workout" but you are staying active.
#5 Drink plenty of water
Drinking water is paramount to staying hydrated, regular and satiated. I always start my day with 16-20oz of water to get my system started and hydrated. Drinking water especially during high calorie days will help to flush out some of the sodium and make you feel less bloated. Water will also help to keep things moving in the digestive tract. With all the decadent food, sometimes your system can get backed up leading to integestion and discomfort. Aim for at least 64- to 75oz per day .
I hope these tips are helpful and will keep you on track with your fitness and nutrition goals. Make Summer 2025 yoru best yet!