OWNING IT!

What drives you to push harder through your workouts?

One obvious answer is: "You, Terri!....that IS your job!" True. It is my job to push you to do one more rep, one more set, or choose a heavier weight during our time together. But, what is it that pushes you through your cardio or strength training on days that you just don't want to be there, or the lowest setting on the elliptical feels like your on your last leg of a marathon?

I had one of those days yesterday. I knew I was trouble 10 seconds into my workout on the AMT. Normally, I coach my clients (and myself) that I just need to get through that first 10 minutes, and I'll be good to go. But not on this particular day. 10 minutes into my workout, I just withered. Typically, finding a new song on my ipod (little Blackeyed Peas anyone?) will help me shake that feeling off. But not yesterday. My legs felt tired, so I tried powering through with the moveable arm handles. I had just finished beating up my chest and triceps, so they were no help at all. I had eaten a reasonable pre-workout snack (Kashi Trail Mix Cereal Bar) so that was no excuse. WHAT WAS MY PROBLEM??? I've had days like this before...I knew I was just going to have to own it and push through.

I started thinking about a particular person I train. She struggles with everyday living tasks like walking and putting on her shoes. I imagine every workout she does with me feels worse than any of my roughest workout days. Yet, every time I show up to train her, she is sitting at the table, tennis shoes on, smile on her face and ready to go to work. I must admit, sometimes it's hard for me to push her, but that's what I'm there for and that's what she wants me to do. She doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for her. She always gives it 110%. SHE OWNS IT, EVERYDAY!

So, I started thinking of this particular gal (she is my hero), and I thought to myself, "Suck it up, Terri! Don't be a cry baby! Yeah, your legs are tired, but you are ABLE to do this!" Drawing from that, I was able to finish my workout and hit my target heart rate goals as well as my calorie burn that I was looking for.

So, what is it that you think about when you're feeling challenged to make your workout happen? I'll tell you what you do.....YOU OWN IT! Just like my hero does everyday! You remind yourself of what your goals are for that particular workout (how about 45 minutes of cardio in your THR and 4 sets of 25 sit-ups and 25 push-ups!?!). You suck it up and go! You think of how great your going to feel after you walk out of that locker room, cleaned up and ready to take on the rest of your day, knowing that you invested the time in yourself to ensure your health and wellness.

It's moments like these that separate those that get mediocre results from a mediocre workout routine from those who get FANTASTIC results. So, for your next workout, I don't want you to "have" a great workout, I want you to "MAKE IT A GREAT WORKOUT"!

Ask yourself this:
Did I finish that last set easily?
Could I go up in weight and still hold good form?
Could I do one more set?...(picking up a 4th set is a great way to add a challenge)
Was my cardio workout too easy? (perhaps it's time to get off the elliptical you've grown so accustomed to and tackle the step mill!)
Am I eating right? (think lean protein with every meal, limiting starches to portion controlled whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lots of water)
Am I getting 7 hours of sleep per night? (this is NOT a luxury, skimpy on quality sleep ROBS your body of precious repair time, and keeps your body from producing the right hormones that keep your body YOUNG!)

Be Good to yourself. Make fitness your lifestyle.