Ready to level-up your fitness routine? 

If you haven't already, ready through Part 1 of this series to understand the tweaks you should make in your fitness routine first. 

So, what can you do have an EMPOWERED fitness routine?

1. Focus on how you're improving your overall health. Not if your body is changing. When we focus on our overall health, we begin to see the full picture. Think about when you're 60-80+ years old. Will it really matter if you have a low body fat percentage, or will it matter that you can stand up from the toilet independently, live independently, and not fall (falls are the #1 cause of death in elderly). 

We've got to begin to view our health and fitness from a lifelong lens, not a 60 day challenge. This will allow for you to allot more grace and compassion with yourself. Instead of 60 days to "get it together", you have a lifetime to implement healthy behaviors that work best for you.

So, what are some health related reasons to exercise that have absolutely nothing to do with changing our fearfully and wonderfully made bodies? Let's chat about it:

• Preventing falls
• Improving your heart health
• Increasing your bone strength
• Increasing the strength of your muscles
• Falling and staying asleep easier
• Better mental health
• Improving blood sugar
• Increased focus
• Increasing your body image satisfaction regardless of if your body actually changes
• Improve your ability to do everyday activities (ex. walking up the stairs, bringing in the groceries)
• Reduce the risk for chronic disease (ex. diabetes, hypertension, cancer, etc.)
• And so many more!

Whatever your reason to exercise, I hope you can pick one related to your health to FEEL the difference movement can make, regardless of what your body looks like. Your body will find its grove and what range is healthy for it, but focus on the behaviors! That's what will take you long term. 

2. Incorporate affirmations, gratitude, and intention. 

Think about it, when was the last time you told your body thank you? Do you spend most of your time poking, squeezing, and analyzing every crevice? Or, do you look at it with great admiration and respect? Take a moment to close your eyes and take a deep breath. Seriously, try it out for me. Now, think of one thing that you can appreciate about your body. It doesn't have to be the way it looks. Maybe it enables you to do meaningful work, experience love, bear children, cook a great meal, hangout with your family and friends, or maybe there is a part of your body you love! Consider what that one thing is for you. This is taking a moment to express gratitude for your body.

Next, you are going to implement intentions into your workout. One that doesn't have to do with your body changing. Instead, focus on something external like getting stronger, more familiar with the movements, getting more push-ups in, doing more jumping jax (or another cardio exercise) in the same amount of time, experiencing joy, or just to feel good in your body. Set an intention at the beginning of your workout that helps you focus on a bigger why.

Finally, at the end of your workout, I'd like you to incorporate some affirmations. Incorporating these into my workouts for the last 8 months has been crucial in helping me feel better in my body. So, I am going to charge you to do the same. At the end of your workout, say:

I am strong

I am powerful

I am capable

I am worthy

And I am so much more than a body!

Now, you might not believe it the first or even second time you say it, but continue to recite that until you wholeheartedly believe it. Then keep reciting it to maintain the empowerment. 

3. Finally, I want you to enJOY movement!

I admire you for wanting to have a healthy lifestyle. However, you can only reap the benefits from said healthy lifestyle if you engage in it consistently. So, don't force yourself to engage in exercise you don't enjoy, eat foods you dislike, and do meditations you don't like. Instead, focus on slowly adding in things that you do enjoy that are health promoting. That way, over time, you can have the beautiful, healthy lifestyle you have always envisioned. Just like reading for an hour everyday might be a daunting goal if you haven't been reading, the same goes for exercise. Instead, start with 10 minuets. Maybe you even do it at work so it's manageable with a hot girl walk, post lunch walk, a couple standing exercises on your break, etc. 

You can do this, and I want to EMPOWER you to know that.

With Love,

Maya <3