HOW TO: get out of a exercise routine rut

one of the biggest issues people come across when doing exercise is that they get bored. 

they get into the same routine, same workout circuit, same weights, etc., and then get tired of doing the workouts and stop making progress and stop enjoying the workouts... and then stop going to the gym and gotta start the whole process all over again. which sucks. 

but there is a way to keep enjoying your fitness routine... and it's so simple. it just takes a little bit of branching out. and that's usually why people don't think about doing it, cause honestly, changing your workout routine is a little bit intimidating. but here are some tips that may help you get started: 

• take classes at your gym

  • this doesn't have to be a forever commitment... but you can get lots of great new ideas from a trying out a new class. most gyms have so many classes you can try out, and at all hours, so you can fit it into your regular schedule and learn new exercises with guidance.

• grab a new piece of equipment

  • if you're always using just the machines or just dumbbells or whatever... pick up something new. use the TRX straps, kettlebells,or go for some bodyweight movements.changing the type of equipment can add a lot of fun to your workouts!

• change your circuit

  • if you're going one exercise at a time all the way through and then the next and next, with the same rests and reps... change it up- do some supersets, do a circuit, do an AMRAP, something to adjust the circuit.

• create new workout goals

  • figuring out some big scale goals or some mini goals that you can work to. having something to work to is always a great way to get more excited about your workouts and also can help you to figure out how to re-structure your workouts in order to achieve your goals

• use an app to get some new workout/workout routines

  • bodybuilding.com or sparkpeople or youtube workouts and there are a number of apps and websites  have full workout programs all at your disposal. 

• get a trainer

  • getting a trainer can help you do a lot of things! it can help you figure out more specific goals to work to, you can learn a bunch of new exercises and full routines, and you can get an entire new program laid out for you and you don't even have to think about it. (one of the many joys of having a trainer!) if you are in the market for a trainer... i am available for online and in person training!

you can catch me on instagram or facebook or send me an email at tiffnessfitness@gmail.com for any of your fitness questions, program building, or if you just wanna say hi! :) 

#noweighinnovember

the health and fitness industry is pretty much obsessed with the "after" picture, of the scale going down, of burning insane calories. i am guilty of it too. we obsess with the number on the scale and with what we see in the mirror and with burning calories and "earning" the right to eat some candy. 

if you follow my instagram stories you saw me go off on a My FItness Pal blog post that was telling you how much you had to exercise to "earn" some Halloween treats. and seriously- FUCK THAT. enjoy your treats and enjoy your desserts and enjoy the food you like. 

ANYWAY ~ that's not entirely related to the point of this post, but it's pretty close. over the past couple of weeks i have been trying to figure out a good challenge i could host on my insta and after an experience i had this morning i figured it out. 

to start, let me give you some background: i 100% understand that the scale should only be one of many tools to measure progress and success in your health & fitness journey but as someone who exclusively measured progress on the scale for a VERY LONG TIME it is hard to shake the feeling of deep disappointment of seeing the scale go up even when logically i understand that i didn't gain fat. 

the scale is SUCH a fickle reporting tool. it goes up and down depending on about a million different things but i still let it effect my mood. and that's me, a fitness professional who should know better. 

so  anyway, this morning i weighed in and that stupid number went up. and i was so disappointed in myself. even though i had a pretty successful week of workouts and nutrition wise i was on point. but the fact was that the night before i had most of my carbs in the evening and i had them later at night than normal so of course that'll reflect on the scale. but it doesn't mean i need to stress out about it. my weight has definitely gone up from this time last year... but i'm working out harder than i have been before and i am stronger than i have ever been. 

that's where my challenge comes in; i've decided i'm not gonna stress about the scale for a full month. for all of november i am putting the scale away and i'm going to focus on non-scale victories, self care, eating properly, and my regular training program. i typically step on the scale 5-7 days a week and honestly, that's not been working well for my mental health but i really just can't stop myself from doing it, and i'm sure i'm not the only one. 

sometimes we need a full reset and that's what i'm going to do and i'm hoping to have some of you all join me in!

30 full days of no scale. and each week i will be putting out some additional self-care challenges for all of us to take part in. 

i think that this time of year it's pretty easy to be shamed for eating candy or all the pie or other treats and then immediately to step on scale and feel terrible about it. so let's not. let's focus on consistency and getting stronger and faster and eating food that makes us feel good and self care. 

join me in the #noweighinnovember challenge on my instagram page! all of the details will be on the page! 

any questions? let me know in the comments below or on my insta or facebook page!