Healthy CommunitiesHealthy Living

Ask a trainer: why isn’t my summer fitness routine working?

30 May 2019 - by Krista Hesketh
Every summer, tons of folks hop on the beach body bandwagon. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to get fit and feel healthier — but we believe it’s about so much more than getting that quick “Insta-worthy” look for your next trip to the pool. Personal Trainer Michael explains why focusing on your “summer bod” may not deliver the results you're looking for.

1. Habits are hard to change.

The biggest obstacle for most people is the psychology behind leading a healthy lifestyle. As much as we say we are going to start cooking healthy meals or going to the gym regularly, habits are incredibly tough to break — especially in the summer. It’s patio season, it’s happy hour, and that strawberry margarita looks awfully refreshing! But remember: results don’t come from comfort zones. If you’re struggling to break out of yours, a trainer can help push you to do more and keep you accountable to your goals.

2. You’re setting the wrong fitness goals.

Your fitness goals don’t always have to do with the way you look. In fact, those goals can be incredibly discouraging, dragging you down instead of pushing your motivation up. Fitness can be anything you make of it. Want to feel more powerful and confident at big office meetings? Need a stress reliever? Looking to clear your mind? Let those positive goals guide you!

3. It’s taking too long.

We all want to look and feel our best ASAP. But those results don’t happen overnight — and plenty of people get super discouraged when they realize that. If you don’t reach your goals on your first try, don’t give up! Life happens to all of us. You may get sidetracked, but the important thing is to continue where you left off. It can also help to set realistic timelines for yourself. Good things take time!

It’ can be overwhelming to try to figure out how you need to work out, what to work out, when to work out, and so on. A certified personal trainer can guide you through a personalized program that’s tailored to your needs, ensuring you get the best results — whether it’s summer or not.

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Michael Kim is a Personal Trainer with the YMCA, and has a passion for helping people improve their lifestyle. He is an an Active Men’s Physique competitor, and provincially qualified 2 years in a row! A chiropractor in training, Michael specializes in postural correction and body composition change. 

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