Can you believe it’s already August? I feel like this year has flown by! Around this time of year, I like to do a check in with the goals I’ve set to see where I am. With some of my goals I have made leaps and bounds, while for others it seems like my horses are still restless in the gate. Then I have a few odd, in-between goals, that fall anywhere in the spectrum of victory to defeat, just depending on the day.

The main culprits of these teeter-totter goals for me are my fitness goals. On some days, I am like “The Rock” when it comes to fitness, beasting weights, eating clean, stretching, and feeling great about progress. Then on others, I am the polar opposite: covered in chocolate, comfy in yoga pants, dreaming of pizza, and dreading hitting the gym.

So what’s the catch? I know I can’t be the only one struggling through this yo-yo relationship with fitness. I took a step back to get a big picture perspective, got some feedback from friends, and came up with the following reasons for why we have this back and forth relationship with fitness, and some ways to combat the fitness funk:

• No time. Time is probably the most important factor in everyone’s daily life. School, work, kids, friends, and rest all have to be positioned into your daily routine. With all of these, where does fitness fall? Not everyone has an hour a day that they can go to the gym, but you don’t need to. A gym is nice, but it’s not necessary in getting fit. If you are strapped for time, you can incorporate stretching and other exercises into your life seamlessly. Try adding some of the following to your daily routine:

1. Stretching when you get out of bed in the morning. Try these easy stretches.
2. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
3. Push-ups and ab exercises before bedtime, after your morning stretches, or before you shower.
4. Walking around your floor or building at the beginning or end of lunch time.
5. Try incorporating these exercises anywhere you can fit them in– commercial breaks, at your desk, while waiting for the oven to heat up, or to give yourself a quick break during lengthy projects.

• Not seeing progress. This is a biggie. You work hard, sweat, spend time in the gym and still don’t see the scale budge or your pants get any looser. Don’t give up! Trust the process and know that the most important part is working, even if you don’t see it yet. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “regular exercise or physical activity helps many of the body’s systems function better, keeps heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other diseases at bay, and is a key ingredient for losing weight.” Not to mention, if you keep at it, you will begin to see and feel a difference soon. Don’t work just for “summertime fine,” get a whole lifetime full of being fit and feeling fabulous.
• Getting started. Where should I start? What should I do? The good news is you can start anywhere and do anything. Walking, either on a treadmill or around the neighborhood, is a wonderful place to begin. Walk the dog, explore with the kids, enjoy some time strolling with your spouse, or chat with some co-workers on a walk during lunch. If you don’t like walking, experiment with stretches, at-home exercises, or classes at your local gym. Write down some activities that you like to do and start from there. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Lao Tzu
• Food! Last, but definitely not least, food. I am a foodie, so this is one of the hardest parts for me. I love to indulge. A life where all you can eat is tilapia and broccoli is not a life at all. So my advice for this- nix the diet. It’s all about balance. Create a sustainable regimen for your daily life. If you eat a donut on Monday morning, don’t give up for the rest of the day, or the week for that matter. Make healthier choices and be proud of your progress along the way. Don’t beat yourself up for enjoying your favorite dessert every once in a while.

Be on the lookout for videos of some more exercises, yoga poses, and healthy eating tips you can start incorporating into your daily routines. Let’s get moving!

(PHOTO: Blogger Carlie Carpio before and after adopting a fitness regimen.)