This week is the halfway point for my body transformation challenge with CykleJab, the brand new fitness studio in the Shores. I can’t tell you how many pounds I have lost because in the past 7 days I stayed off the scale…I am slowly learning that transformation is so much more than just a number on a scale! BUT, at the beginning of this 4th week I took a couple of ‘progress’ photos, compared them with my ‘before’ pictures (same outfit, same lighting and same poses)…and I was so pleasantly surprised! In fact, even though I see my reflection in the mirror every day, it’s difficult to notice if I am making progress. I look at these pictures and I am already seeing some significant changes. It’s amazing what 3 weeks can do for you! It’s so encouraging and motivating!
Talking about motivation, these past days have been tough. I have been feeling under the weather with an annoying cough and a sore throat, which reduced my energy level, making exercise unappealing. In other words: instead of training and getting sweaty, I had rather been snuggled under a blanket. But after seeing my progress pictures I was too worried that skipping a couple of workouts would have slowed down my body transformation. So, I followed the Mayo Clinic’s ‘neck rule’: “Exercise is usually OK if your symptoms are all "above the neck."
However, ‘neck rule’ or not, some days it is just SO HARD to get yourself motivated to exercise because well, you just don't feel like it! These are my three top tips to push yourself to the gym when you are having one of these days
Plan ahead your week of workouts - Treat your training schedule like you would an important business meeting or a doctor appointment. On Sunday eve, take a few minutes to check out your family/work schedule, pencil down your gym sessions in your calendar and you will have great chances that you won’t skip them. To prevent you from forgetting your workout schedule or from double-booking, CykleJab gives us a big help! You can access their class scheduling system anytime you feel like it, 24/7, from anywhere. From their website you can select which your class and your bike/punching bag. The day of the workout you will get a reminder email to make sure that you will not miss the class! Isn’t it great?!
Surround yourself with a supportive and motivating tribe - At home, my family know all about my goals, including my 3 and 5 year old children. My daughter often asks me “Mom, can you eat this…can you eat that?” At the gym, Ralph and the other CykleJab’s instructors expect me to show up for a workout. (Plus, we follow each other on Instagram, they will know if I had a splurge meal or if I am being a couch potato!) I am getting familiar with most of the people coming to CykleJab, we know each other fitness successes and challenges Going to the gym is becoming a social activity. At work, my colleagues are my cheerleaders. We have similar goals and exercise interests - they are more fitted than me but it’s okay - we talk about my body transformation program over lunch, we motivate each other to stick to our meal plans and get excited about our results week after week. Being accountable and having a ‘we’re in this together’ mindset at home, in the gym and at work is encouraging.
Put on your workout clothes - Tip #1&2 didn’t convince you? Do you need some extra motivation to get off the couch? Get yourself some clothes that you like and that make you feel comfortable and good. Put them on and that feeling of inertia will disappear. Think about the awesome endorphin rush that you will have after your workout and get out of the door. Getting to the gym is the biggest obstacle; once you are there, you will feel pumped to get started.
I have four more weeks to take my body to the next level, challenge myself, and enjoy this journey! I know they are going to be hardcore but to celebrate the moment I am going to pour myself a virtual glass of champagne (no alcohol, remember?!) and cheer to my first four weeks accomplished!
It’s not too late to get into the shape! Join CykleJab’s Body Transformation Challenge and you’ll receive 32 classes in 60 days, one HR Monitor/Calorie Counter, one pair of boxing gloves, one pair of boxing wraps, 8 week of nutritional guideline, one on one initial assessment with certified personal trainer, access to food delivery service at a discount. I can’t wait to do this with you!!
Want to learn more about CykleJab? Visit their website here.
Missed the first two weeks of my “Eight Weeks Back to Me" Series? Find them here:
Did you like this article? Sign up for Macaroni Kid North East Miami and Miami Beach weekly e-newsletter to receive news, events and special offers.
