Workin' on my fitness

I get a lot of questions about my fitness routine. Now before I go into detail, I'm going to warn you- it's going to look like a LOT. But did I start off like this? No way! When I first became active I did 30 minutes on the elliptical/2x a week. As I lost weight and became more physically fit, that routine got boring and I wanted to do more. This is the point that I've worked up to over a period of about a year. Here is what my normal week looks like:

Monday: 45 minute spin class/chest & triceps
Tuesday: Run 2-3 miles/ back & biceps
Wednesday: 45 minute spin class/ legs & shoulders
Thursday: Run 2-3 miles/abs
Friday: Crosstrain
Saturday: 30 minutes of light cardio (or rest if I feel like I need it)
Sunday: rest

Now, like I said, this is a "normal" week. My routine is very flexible. If I feel bored, I switch out running for something else (Zumba, hiking, Jillian Michaels DVD, etc.) If I'm sick, extra tired, or weak I make sure to add another rest day (and pay special attention to what I've been eating... more on that later ) It is SO important to listen to our bodies!

If you're just starting to incorporate exercise into your life, this routine or anything like this is going to be too much for you. You're going to burn yourself out FAST. Start small and be consistent. Challenge yourself, but don’t force yourself to do anything that is currently unattainable or that you hate doing. Find something you enjoy and DON'T GIVE UP! You're going to want to, trust me, but you never know what goal you'll achieve tomorrow if you give up today. Don't worry about doing too little. Do what you can. Once you start getting into better shape, you'll find yourself wanting to do more. Stick with it!

If you're inspired to get up and get out there, jot down some goals for yourself. How many times a week do you want to get moving? For how long? What do you enjoy doing? Once you've set your goals, schedule a time to achieve those goals Even better... Put them on your calendar, set a reminder on your phone, or find someone to get moving with you and keep you accountable. The first step is the hardest, but you can do it!!

What do you like to do to stay active? Have you tried anything that you thought you'd hate but really love? Feel free to share below!