Tag Archives: fitness

How to Make Exercise Fun!

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Joy2“I hate exercise.”

That’s a sentiment that I hear often from my clients.

But when they dig a little deeper, we discover it’s actually not true.

Think back to when you were a little kid.

  • Did you love to run and play?
  • Do you remember the freedom you felt on the playground?
  • Do you remember a time when moving your body felt good? What were you doing? Maybe it was riding your bike? Roller skating? Dancing?

Somewhere along the way, you were forced to give up “play.”

Responsibility got in the way; maybe school or your studies, getting a job, or starting a family.

“Exercise” became something you “had to do” to lose weight. And being the responsible adult that you are, you may have picked responsible “exercise programs” that you didn’t enjoy. You forced yourself to do them. You took it like medicine because working out was “good for you.”

Is it any wonder many people think they hate exercise? Who would want to take nasty tasting cough syrup every day? Certainly not me, and probably not you.

What if you created a new “rule?” What if this “rule” was that moving your body should be fun.

Having your movement be fun doesn’t mean that it’s not effective. Depending on what your goals are,there are many ways to achieve the results you’re looking for—and have fun!

For instance, a fabulous reader told me yesterday that she’s gotten back into shape doing gymnastics and hula dancing!

In addition to the old standbys, like walking, running, weight-training, yoga, tai chi, and Pilates, I know women who are in great shape who have achieved their goals by doing everything from fire-dancing, to boxing, jump-roping to hula-hooping. And there are many more options.

I personally love dance walking and dance cardio on the treadmill! 

Experiment until you find the workout you really enjoy.

Picking something that you actually enjoy doing significantly increases your chances of releasing the weight–once and for all.

Think of it this way. If you are starting a workout program that you hate, are dreading and despise every moment while you are doing it, how long are you likely to sustain that program?

This is another example of how harnessing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and aligning them with your actions is like adding a rocket booster to your ability to achieve your goals.

Find the way that moving your body feels good!

Together we can do it!

Here are my inspirations.

Don’t Wait Until Next Year to Get the Body You Want!

Join the the Love Your Way Slim Coaching Program today!

This unique program transforms your mindset, integrates your core values and spiritual beliefs, and hones in on the most powerful actions you can take to make releasing the weight not only easy and satisfying—but fun! (Yes, it really is possible!)

FIND OUT MORE HERE

Program closes January 12, 2013. It won’t reopen until January 2014!

http://loveyourwayslim.com/coaching-program/

Celebrate Your Way into Working Out

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ConfettiWoo hoo! I got a 20 minute workout in this morning!

Doesn’t sound like much?

I am celebrating!

Why? Because I’ve missed my workouts for most of the past two weeks due to a chest cold.

While 20 minutes is less than half of the time than I normally spend, I did what I could do.

And it felt good!

It felt satisfying to get back to regularly moving my body. It felt like progress. It felt fun to focus on wellness.

An interruption to your workout routine is actually a key time to focus on progress not perfection.

Too often you may be disappointed, frustrated, and discouraged because you aren’t where you were or where you expected to be. It can take a few days—or even weeks—to get back up to full speed and intensity if you’ve been sick, injured, or are just under a lot of stress. (Holidays anyone?)

When you focus on what you’ve “lost,” where you “should” be, how “hard” it is, etc., you are actually getting in the way of your comeback. It will be hard because you believe it to be.

I know.

In the past, coming back from an illness might very well have sent my workout routine on the skids for months.

I would have focused so much on the negative elements of my recovery that I literally made it 100 times harder to get back into a healthy routine.

I didnt make to the gym

Think of it this way. If all you focus on is how much you are dreading your workout, how much you hate exercise, how horrible sweating is, how hard it will be—how likely are you to sustain your workout program?

Not very!  

Pretty quickly, even the idea of working out can be emotionally and physically draining. This is often the beginning of your regaining the weight you have lost—and then some.

When you catch yourself starting that negative thought spiral, STOP!

Instead, celebrate what you can do, rather than what you can’t, what you did, rather than what you should have done, and where you are, rather than where you think you should be.

Shifting your focus to the positive literally generates energy that will help you get back on track more quickly and easily. 

I also have the personal experience that exercise relieves stress, and now I use stress as an excuse to workout rather than a reason to avoid it.

When exercise feels like the very last thing you want to do, focus on the stress-relieving benefits of exercise and how much better you’ll feel afterwards.

And when you do the workout and are in that better-feeling place, notice it, focus on it, and celebrate it so that you can remember it the next time you are trying to convince yourself to go workout.

The key to getting back on track is to figure out the minimum that you can do that will make you feel like you’re making progress, and then celebrate doing that. Even a walk around the block has benefits and will help clear your mind, and it’s a lot easier to convince yourself to do than a full-blown workout.

And if you really can’t motivate yourself to get a workout in, forgive yourself and focus on doing what you can do to take care of you.

Together we can do it!

The 3 Keys to My Personal Transformation

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From August 1, 2008 to August 1, 2009, I went from wearing a size 8 and running and working out regularly to busting out of size 14 pants and not working out at all.

After years of consistent exercise, I couldn’t believe I was starting over from scratch–again.

I was really struggling with getting back on track.

“Before” photo taken October 2009

While I hated where I was, I just couldn’t seem to find the energy to pull myself out of bed in the morning and move.

Three things were key to my turning around that situation.

  1. Accountability. Support is vital. Having a friend, coach, or group to turn to is huge!
  2. Progress not perfection. Counting every single thing you do during the day that could even be remotely considered part of a healthy lifestyle builds positive momentum.
  3. Mindset training. Shifting your thoughts from hating where you are to focusing on why you want to be fit, strong, and slim is the true secret to long-term weight-loss success. 

Here’s how I did it.

My friend, Julia, was my first accountability partner and we checked in with each other every day to cheer each tiny success and reframe any “stumble.” (Thank you, Julia! I couldn’t have done it without you!)

I set small, attainable goals for how much time I would move my body. Starting with a goal of just 10 minutes a day, I counted walking the dogs, vigorous vacuuming, and even a long walk across a parking lot to my car. I literally counted anything and everything that involved moving. A few weeks of meeting that minimal goal and I bumped it up to 20 minutes, and so on.

And I wrote out all the reasons I wanted to be fit, strong, and slim on index cards—and I read them everyday to retrain my brain while I was retraining my body.

Changing my mindset, focusing on my success, and having a supportive person to report my successes to made all the difference in the world.

Today, I love my body and life more than I thought possible!

I regularly work out vigorously for 25 to 60 minutes, six mornings a week. I eat healthy foods most of the time, and I wear between a size 4 and 6. And I’ve kept the weight off now for more than two years!

“After: photo taken November 10, 2012. Photo by Lindsay A. Miller

I didn’t get here overnight. But by slowly and steadily making those small decisions towards a healthier me, I built momentum and achieved my goals.

And you can do it, too.

If you are already working out regularly, awesome! How can you push yourself just a little bit further?

If you are changing your energetic momentum towards a healthier you:

  • What is the minimum you can do today that will make you feel like you are making progress?
  • What are the reasons you want to be fit, strong, and slim?
  • Who can you turn to get the necessary support and accountability?

Just consistently making those small decisions to move in the direction of who you want to be will help you achieve the body—and life—you want.

Together we can do it!

Weird—and Wonderful!—Ways to Work In Wellness

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Whoops! I woke up this morning with my body giving me a clear indication that I have not been honoring my self-care. Since this coincides with family arriving for Thanksgiving, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite blogs for the rest of the week. 

I choose this blog because it has great tips on how to work in wellness during the holiday, but it’s also a terrific reminder for me!

Many people are so focused on the time that they don’t have for wellness that they miss all the small opportunities they do have to work physical and emotional wellness into their day. Taking advantage of these tiny moments can boost physical and mental energy, and generate a sense of well-being. 

Here are some ideas for slipping in your wellness fix—just don’t worry about what some people may think.

After all, isn’t your wellness more important than a few seconds of potential judgment from a stranger, friend, family member, or co-worker?

Minutes Matter

Do you ever stand there and wait for your lunch to heat up in the microwave, or that pot of water to boil, or cup of coffee or tea to brew?

Don’t just stand there!

Even doing a few minutes of exercise can give you an energy boost. And those minutes add up. Do them throughout the day and before you know it, you’ve gotten in a 15 to 20 minute workout.

Take that minute or two and do counter push ups, lunges, toe raises, and squats. You can also dance or march in place.

I only got caught once dancing in front of the microwave in my work break-room. At the time my co-worker thought I was a little weird, but she also noticed when I started losing weight!

You can do these and other exercises at work while on conference calls if you have a headset or speaker phone. Just do your push up off your desk. You can even throw in some planks. If you’re wearing a skirt or a dress, however, you might want to have an office door to shut!

A mini-stepper or pedal exerciser can fit under your desk and are also great to do while you’re on the phone.

House Work Aerobics

Have you ever worked up a sweat cleaning the house? You can make it even more aerobic by doing lunges while vacuuming, or each time you head up or down stairs, go up and down an extra time. You can do single shoulder presses with your bottle of cleaning solution as you walk from surface to surface.

Be creative—but safe—as you make your house sparkling clean.

More Wellness While You Wait

All the time we spend waiting in line adds up, so take advantage of it. Meditate, pray, or practice appreciation while in line at the grocery store.

What can you appreciate?

How about the sheer abundance of food that we are blessed to choose from, or all those workers who keep the store clean, the shelves stocked, and those check-out lines moving? How about your favorite foods? There’s a lot to appreciate at the grocery store if we just take the time to look for it.

And if you are willing to look a little weird, you can get in stretches, toe raises, or lunges while you wait.

You can also meditate while waiting for your doctor or mechanic. Feeling a little tired? Shut your eyes and rest for a few minutes as you wait.

Doing the dishes and other repetitive tasks are also a great time to clear you mind and tune in to your spiritual side.

Tube Time

How much time do you spend sitting and watching TV? How about taking each commercial break to get in a few sets of exercise?

Keep some dumbbells, balance board, or other fitness gear nearby to make it easy. Or sit on a stability ball and build your core strength as you watch your favorite show. Why not throw in some crunches during the commercials?

Reconsider Lunch

Lunch is a great time to get in a workout, but you may not have time to hit the gym. What can you do?

Bring your workout gear, change clothes in the bathroom, and plug an exercise DVD into your computer.

No time or place to change? Are there stairs in your building? See how many times you can go up and down them in the time you have.

Or strap on your walking shoes and head outside. Even a walk around the block can clear your mind and bump-up your productivity in the afternoon. Grab a co-worker to get in some social time, too.

Post Positive Messages

Wanting to shift your mindset, but no time to journal?

Post affirmations, things you appreciate, and other positive messages on your computer screen, bathroom mirror, or above the kitchen sink. Every time you see them, remind yourself to take a moment to breathe and shift to a more positive thought.

What’s the Alarm?

Set the alarm on your cell phone or computer to remind you to drink water, eat a healthy snack, focus on an affirmation, take a moment to clear your mind, or do 10 jumping jacks.

When you start looking for time to work wellness into your day, you may be surprised at all the time you really do have.

I’d love to hear how you work wellness into your busy day.

Together we can do it!

 

How to Start Reaping the Rewards of Regular Exercise

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What does optimal wellness mean to you?

To me, optimal wellness is:

  • Feeling good—mind, body, and spirit.
  • Being at the right body weight for me.
  • Moving with ease, and being fit, strong, and slim.
  • Allowing every cell in my body to thrive, and having a super-charged immune system and metabolism.
  • Having every system in my body functioning properly.
  • Nurturing my body’s own wellness abilities.
  • Treating myself—and others—with love and respect.
  • Experiencing habitual feelings of appreciation, eagerness, and joy.
  • A lasting state of well-being, and a confidence in Who I am and what I am capable of.

One of the best ways to tap into the positive anabolic energy that helps you achieve optimal wellness is exercise.

Consistently working out with intensity helps you tap into anabolic endorphins that create an amazing feeling of being in love with life that continues way longer than your workout.

Not only does exercise boost energy and positive feeling all day, but study after study shows that it plays an important role in promoting sound physical and mental health, and emotional well-being.

Many people find it hard to get started, or to stick with exercise for more than a few days or weeks.

Here are some tips for making working out a part of your regular routine so that you can begin reaping the positive anabolic rewards:

  • Focus on Why you want optimal wellness. Having a powerful reason Why you want to achieve a goal will make a huge difference in doing the necessary actions—even when you don’t feel like it.
  • Schedule it. Many people try to fit exercise into their busy schedules—only to have it be the thing that never gets done. Instead figure out when you are going to work out, and create your schedule around that.
  • Do it first. Often my clients generate a lot of negative catabolic energy worrying about when they are going to get their workout in later in the day. Doing it first thing in the morning enables you to bask in the positive energy all day long.
  • Start small. Committing to 10 minutes a day and then counting everything that gets you there—taking the stairs, parking further away, walking the dog, etc.—helps you build positive momentum that leads to your doing more.
  • Don’t call it exercise. Many people have a negative relationship with the word exercise or workout. Refer to moving your body in a way that doesn’t make you have an automatic negative reaction.
  • Make it fun. Pick something you actually enjoy doing. And then focus on how much fun it is.

What can you do today that makes moving your body a regular part of your life so you can reap the positive rewards?

Together we can do it!

I am excited to be working with a new client! I only have 2 coaching spaces left open to help you love your way slim. If you are serious about transforming your mind and body, email me at hannagoss@goss-coaching.com by November 11 to schedule your complimentary breakthrough session. These powerful sessions are available on a limited basis. Don’t wait till Jan 2 to take inspired action. Start creating the body—and life—you want today

Love Your Workout?

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I just had the most fun workout!

Does having the words “fun” and “workout” in the same sentence seem like a contradiction to you?

That’s one of those limiting beliefs that is resulting in your holding onto the weight!

Who said working out had to be a drag? Or worse?

And don’t think that just because my workout was fun that it means it was easy.

An hour later and my face is still beat red and my metabolism revved. I definitely pushed it. And I loved every minute of it!

While I will share what I was doing, the most important thing is to do is find the workout that you enjoy. That you find fun. That you kind-of-wish you were doing at other points in the day.

The key to moving your body consistently is to enjoy it.

And consistency is key to long-term success.

A stumbling block for many women I work with is that they think they have to take up a form of exercise that they hate.

Depending on what your goals are, there are many ways to achieve the results you’re looking for.

For instance, I know women who are in great shape who have achieved their goals by doing everything from walking, to yoga, to tai chi. Others have done Pilates, dancing, boxing, jump-roping, and even hula-hooping. And there are many more options.

Experiment until you find the workout you enjoy.

So what was the workout I did this morning?

If you follow my blog regularly, you know I love dance walking. But heading out in the dark and cold—not so much fun.

A couple of months ago a fabulous reader and fellow blogger introduced me to dance cardio on the treadmill. Now I had spontaneously burst into dance-walking on the treadmill before—and promptly fallen off. But she pointed me to some demonstration videos and I was up and, well, dancing!

And it is intense! And fun! And I’m getting better at it as I do it!

Picking something that you actually enjoy doing significantly increases your chances of releasing the weight–once and for all.

Think of it this way. If you are starting a workout program that you hate, are dreading and despise every moment while you are doing it, how long are you likely to sustain that program?

This is another example of how harnessing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and aligning them with your actions is like adding a rocket booster to your ability to achieve your goals.

Find the way that moving your body feels good! 

Together we can do it!

Here are my inspirations.

Ben Aaron taking dance walking public

Dance Aerobics on Treadmill at Palheiro Spa, Madeira

Tracy Anderson Treadmill Routine with Molly Sims Part B 

I’m excited to announce that I have 3 coaching spaces open to help you love your way slim. If you are serious about transforming your mind and body, secure your spot now by emailing me at hannagoss@goss-coaching.com by November 11 to schedule your complimentary breakthrough session. These powerful sessions are available on a limited basis. Don’t wait till Jan 2 to take inspired action. Start creating the body—and life—you want today.

Love or Hate Your Workout? That’s Impacting Your Results

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Why is it that one person can follow a diet and exercise program and have great results and another use the exact same regimen and not see the same progress?

It has less to do with your metabolism, genes, luck, etc., etc., than you might think.

An often overlooked but critical factor are your thoughts and feelings while you are doing the diet or exercise program.

This is truly one of the missing links that causes so many diet and exercise programs to fail.

Think of it this way. How much are you going to give your exercise program your all if the entire time you’re thinking thoughts like:

“I hate exercise.”

“How soon till this is over?”

“I hate to sweat.”

“Just get me through this torture.”

With thoughts like that—and the resulting sluggish results—how likely are you going to sustain your exercise program?

Chances are not good!

Instead, what if during your workout you are choosing to think about:

  • All the reasons Why you want optimal wellness.
  • Affirmations reinforcing that doing the work will get you the results you want.
  • How good you feel after the workout.

And what if you actually chose a physical activity that you enjoy to begin with?

Wouldn’t you start to look forward to your workouts?

Wouldn’t you start to pay attention to and celebrate signs of progress—even if they were slow and steady?

Every time you had a jolt of unexpected energy during your day, wouldn’t you feel good about having gotten your workout in?

And wouldn’t all those positive thoughts and feelings make you more likely to want to get up and do your workout again tomorrow?

But, you might say, “I hate exercise. I have always hated exercise. That’s just how I feel.”

Believe it or not, you can change long-held thoughts and beliefs—if you want to.

You can learn to love exercise by practicing new thoughts and beliefs.

Now I’m not saying you are going to make this shift overnight, but if your wellness is enough of a priority that you will practice consistently, you will be amazed by the results.

Here are some 3 simple ways to practice changing your thoughts.

Figure out a compelling reason Why you want wellness. Certainly use wanting to look good in a swimsuit or for your reunion, but look deeper. What is your true, heart-felt reason that is so strong it inspires you to get up from that nice warm bed to get in your workout?

Write out, read, and feel positive affirmations. Create affirmations that shift your thinking just a little bit so they are believable. Practice reading them—and feeling them—each day when you are not working out and bring them to mind while you are exercising. Soon you won’t have to remind yourself to think those thoughts. They will come naturally.

Focus on your progress. Mentally look for and celebrate each tiny sign of success. Note how good you feel after your workout, how much easier your pants button, your increased stamina after walking up a flight of stairs. Each celebration builds your positive momentum, making it easier to sustain action.

These suggestions may be simple, but they are powerful. Practice them consistently and before you know it, you will be one of those people who loves moving their bodies!

Together we can do it!

Not Your Daddy’s Cardio

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One of my fabulous readers shared yesterday that she takes tap dance lessons for exercise and enjoyment.

I love that!

Another woman I know also uses dance for her cardio—including fire dancing—and she looks amazing!

The key to moving your body consistently is to enjoy it.

A limiting belief of many of the women I work with is that they will have to take up running or some form of exercise that they hate.

Depending on what your goals are, there are many ways to achieve the results you’re looking for.

For instance, I know women who are in great shape who have achieved their goals by doing everything from walking, to yoga, to tai chi. Others have done Pilates, dance-walking, boxing, jump-roping, and of course, running. And there are many more options.

Picking something that you actually enjoy doing significantly increases your chance of long-term success.

Think of it this way. If you are starting a workout program that you hate, are dreading and despise every moment while you are doing it, how long are you likely to sustain that program? Not very!

This is another example of how harnessing your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs and aligning them with your actions is like adding a rocket booster to your ability to achieve your goals.

If you think about your workout and want to do it, are excited about how fun it’s going to be, and love how you feel afterwards, just imagine how likely you are to do it consistently—and see results. 

So shop around. Try a variety of different exercise programs—or even some non-traditional exercise options. Find the way that moving your body feels good! 

Together we can do it!

Here’s one of my favorite examples of non-traditional exercise. Just watching this video makes me feel good!

 

 

 

Signs of Progress

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One year ago today, I published my first blog on this site.

That was me lining up my thoughts and beliefs with my actions and desires, and saying a big “Yes!” to the future I envisioned.

Since then, I have not only published a wellness tip and a blog six days a week, but I have interacted with you fabulous readers, read some amazing writing on others’ blogs, been inspired and hopefully given inspiration—maybe even to you.

I also successfully dealt with my own wellness challenges—including a major surgery—improved my nutrition, and have maintained my weight and fitness level.

In addition, I completed my coaching certifications and my business has taken off—I’ve even hired a business coach to help me with it. I’m super excited about the changes I have coming as a result, including a new website, coaching programs, e-book, beach-side Love Your Way Slim retreat, and much, much more!

More importantly, I love my life—and the people in it—more than I ever dreamed possible!

My intention with this blog has been—and will remain—to inspire and provide value to you fabulous readers. Each blog is an expression of how much I appreciate your time, your energy, where you are in life and on your wellness journey, our connection, and Who you are as a person.

Thank you for all the follows, likes, awards, support, and comments. They have all been felt and appreciated. And the greatest honor of all has been your letting me know when a blog has moved or inspired you.

And I especially want to thank all you readers who have been with me from those early days. Knowing you were reading and cheering me on made all the difference in the world. Much love and appreciation to each of you.

Here’s to the changes and growth we will all experience together in the coming year. I look forward to connecting more deeply with you as we share our personal wellness journeys.

Together we can do it!

 

PS Just for fun, here is my first post. I’ve come a long way, baby!

Celebrate the Signs!

Posted on September 3, 2011

Wellness Tip of the Weekend: Have faith in your ability to make the decisions that will create optimal health—and then follow through with them.

Every moment of every day we are creating our life. Each decision will either hold us in place or move us towards the person we want to become. If you want to be fit, strong, and lean, then consistently make the decisions that someone who is fit, strong, and lean would make.

Each successful decision, each pound lost–each tiny sign of progress–is like the scenery passing by on a car trip. It is the landmark on the map showing you that you are moving towards the person you want to be. Celebrate those signs, no matter how small! It means you are succeeding!

Together we can do it!