Summer Goals

"Don't give up what you want most, for what you want right now."

As summer is just beginning, I found it appropriate to stress the importance of goals. The importance of not only short term goals, but perseverance for long term goals. Setting goals is what motivates me to not only continue my workouts, but to push myself to be faster and stronger. As important as getting in shape is, it's important for us to evaluate three things...

1. What exactly is it that we are trying to accomplish? 

2. What diet plan are you going to stick to, and why?

3. What is your workout routine, and why?

I've always found it best to write these things down, that way I am accountable. 

1. For myself specifically, I need to do much more high intensity and interval training this summer. With my marathon training I've gotten so use to tuning out on these 90 minute runs, that my body doesn't even have to work hard anymore to maintain a steady pace. Because of all my running I have strong legs, but want to build up my core as well as my arm strength. 

Panera: Always a healthy choice when eating out :)

2. I've experimented with different diets over the past few years to see the negative and positive affects of them as I find it interesting to see how different my body feels based on what I eat. I recently tried going Vegan for 3 weeks, and would suggest everyone tries it just because it does encourage you to eat out less. A negative I experienced was replacing the protein for carbs, therefore actually having a diet higher in carbohydrates than I am used to. My diet plan for the summer is to really kickstart my metabolism to get my body in the best shape possible, and I plan to do this by having a diet that consists mainly of fruits, vegetables and lean meats. I'll post more updates and recipes as it isn't any specific diet, just one that I believe will be cutting out the things my body doesn't actually need. 

3. And of course, the workout routine. 

I plan to do core/abs work 5 days a week, as that is what I am really focusing on. 

Arm workouts 3 days a week

Long runs only 2 days a week

and high intensity (sprint work) 5 days a week. 

I'll post some of my workouts soon, as it's important to mix things up and not overdo any kind of workout. Write these things down, and commit.

Here are some of my favorite workout tips to follow!

1. New playlists AT LEAST every 2 weeks. There is nothing better than allowing yourself to only listen to your new favorite song while working out. Ultimate motivator.

2. Make sure you are neither hungry nor full when you get to the gym, there's nothing like feeling sick your whole workout.

3. STRETCH, unless you'd rather not walk tomorrow.

4. Sweat is your new best friend. 

5. Have 2 or 3 ultimate pump up songs that you save for the time in your workout that you are most tired.

6. Challenge yourself. Pick one thing to "be better at" than your last workout. 

7. Stay motivated. Nothing worth having comes easy...remember that. No pain, no gain :)