Smash Your Spring Fitness Goals: 4 Winning Principles

Keep stepping forward.

You can see it—illuminated eyes on the prize, the trophy of achievement lingering in your mind like a projector with no off switch…

You’ve trained before for this prize and fallen short of your goal, but that’s okay. The past was preparation for this moment, right now.

With every step, you stomp on past setbacks:

Overweighing.

Crash-dieting.

Skipping workout days (or weeks).

The race is on this new season—the race to elevate your fitness this spring so you are ready for summer! And despite what anyone tells you, or even what you may tell yourself, you can do this. You can accomplish your greatest fitness goals, but…

To quote a cliché, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

It’s going to take action steps. It’s going to take some key principles like faith and a positive mindset.

In this blog post, we will go a bit deeper than the typical 5-steps-to-drop-weight type of article. Of course, you will need to eat healthy foods and exercise to reach your fitness goals, but below the surface of diet and exercise are four basic principles needed to succeed. Want to know what they are and how to put them into practice immediately? Keep reading—the four to five minutes it takes to read this post could impact the rest of your life.

Winning Principle #1: Mindset Matters

When a runner prepares for a marathon, they understand that it’s not going to be as quick as a TV commercial. Rather, they know that it will take a significant amount of time. They understand as well how much preparation will need to happen if they expect to cross the finish line.

Similarly to a marathon runner, anyone looking to build strength and/or lose weight must keep the mindset of a marathon runner. Even when the winds of wanting McDonald’s or a buffet ticket are at work, they must stay focused on the prize. The journey will be tiring at times, but keep pushing forward…

Step by step, stride, by stride.

Winning Principle #2: Budget For You

This one may seem simple, but I really think this is one that is often overlooked. Everyone has bills and, depending on where you are in life, they may or may not be easy to pay. Regardless of our bank accounts, we all have in common the need to be and stay healthy. You may have heard it said before that “health is wealth”—without health, you won’t be able to personally enjoy anything else on this planet. Vacation with your spouse and children. Your favorite restaurant spot. That bucket list activity that you know you want to do in this lifetime. All of these and more can only be enjoyed if you take care of your health. If not, health becomes an iron-spiked wall between you and the most treasured moments in life.

The best way to steer clear of hospital visits is to invest in a solid fitness program that matches your fitness needs and personality. Maybe you have a hard time working out alone but stay motivated within a fitness community. If yes, joining a club like Island Time Fitness can provide a support system as well as personalized attention from instructors to tailor the classes for you! Or maybe you prefer virtual classes because your work schedule does not permit regular trips to the gym. In this case, our Beach Body Trans4mation program could be a great fit, as you receive customized workouts to help you crush your fitness goals!

Unless you have insurance, fitness memberships generally aren’t free. A private fitness studio may cost more. But guess what? You’re worth every penny and more. Paying a monthly membership is far cheaper than being in and out of the hospital behind conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) that could have been avoided with regular exercise and healthy eating. I encourage you to research fitness clubs and programs. Budget for and invest in your best fit.

Winning Principle #3: Simplify Shopping & Skip the Drive-Thru

Sorry. But unless that drive-thru lane belongs to a place like Salad and Go, you would probably be better off making your food. Unfortunately, a lot of the food we eat in America today is highly processed, with more fat, salt, and sugar than you would put in your own food by far. Not all, but some companies are more concerned with turning a profit than taking care of consumers’ health. While we can talk all day about why this isn’t right/a shame/needs to change, in this moment there is one question: what can we do right now.

Today.

The best (and most economical!) way to healthy eating is grocery shopping—smart grocery shopping. Consult with a doctor, nutritionist, or other licensed professional to help pinpoint your nutrition needs. Then take time to buy fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy carbs that you enjoy. Maybe you like smoothies more than eating raw fruit. Or maybe you’re a vegetarian. Whatever the case, the shopping list will save you a boatload of fat, sugar, and salt that you would have otherwise consumed. Keep meals very simple as well—seven ingredients or less if you are a busy bee. You will be healthier and feel much better.

Note: I do understand that many people enjoy a “cheat” day, where they get to have their favorite unhealthy food. That is totally fine (I love deep dish pizza, for example!). But the “cheat day” needs to remain exactly that. Too many of them is a  problem, as you will ultimately cheat yourself of the results you’re working so hard to achieve!

Winning Principle #4: Keep Running By Faith

As mentioned earlier, weariness can appear over time. The cares and troubles of this life do not help when you are trying to accomplish anything. But here is the greatest news I can share: you’re not alone. God has strategically placed people in your life who can and will help motivate you to reach your fitness goals, from workout buddies to family members to your favorite instructors. And the best part? Even if you don’t have a single person on earth motivating you, God’s got your back:

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

How incredible—God will give you strength to keep running if you trust in Him. He will lift you up so that you aren’t even on the “ground” at times; instead, you are soaring to new heights!

Remember to keep your eyes on the fitness goal prize, yes. But most importantly, keep your eyes of faith on Jesus.

Conclusion

Fitness is a marathon, yet the time is now to pick up the pace. Despite your greatest setbacks of the past, this is a new day and a new season (spring literally just began!). Four winning principles will help you accomplish your greatest fitness goals: (1) Mindset Matters, (2) Budget For You, (3) Simplify Shopping & Skip the Drive-Thru, and (4) Keep Running by Faith. Put these principles into play and watch as all falls into place along your

fitness journey.

Start today.