Is NOT what your friend/expert said has worked well for him/her.
Is NOT what a fitness magazine says its the BEST for you.

i.e. does not exist.

Why?

Only YOU know your stats + histories + experiences + psychology best.

I can tell you that barbell compound lifts are the most time effective workout to both gain strength + lose body fat (coupled with a caloric deficit)… but guess what? If you’ve been doing it for awhile, and you never fell in love with the barbell. Drop it. And MOVE ON.

Why?

Because being healthy means having a positive psychology towards keeping fit. If you’re dragging your ass to exercise, then maybe it’s not you. If you love dancing.. KEEP dancing. Don’t just stop Zumba classes because of the mockery commonly passed by fitness elitists. (I LOVE ZUMBA BTW)

In conclusion:

Work AROUND your likes and dislikes. Learn to discern when you hate it because its difficult, or simply because its a wrong fit for your mental psychology. (e.g. you’re an extremely social person, but you’ve been forcing yourself to independently train heavy) 

Results comes with commitment. And I’m telling you now, that if you can’t stick to your workout, maybe you need to add in a little factor of LOVE into the equation.

Rock Climbing, Hiking, Swimming, Marathons, Ice Skating, Hockey, Weight Training, Olympic Lifting, Yoga, Pilates, Running…..

The world is your oyster. Don’t limit your fun. <3 GO OUT THERE & EXPLORE. BASK IN THE BEAUTY OF BEING HUMAN & BEING ALIVE!!

I was reading Fit Jerk’s article on “How to tell your girlfriend or wife to lose weight” earlier on this afternoon while sipping my java, and after I got over laughing at how crudely honest he can be (and very much adored), I thought about the reality of the relationship chub rut. 

If you’ve seen the video of my story,  I let myself go during my last relationship. I didn’t exactly put on pounds during the year I was with him, but I definitely understand how not being confident about your body can affect your relationship with your guy and vice versa.

Honesty Hour. Now this may be hard to conceive of.. but I used to be THAT girl who constantly asked her boyfriend to skip gym sessions by “seducing” him with movie and dinner dates. He’d cave in most of the times.  I wasn’t inflicted with super poor body image issues.. but I knew that my need for constant approval and attention, stemmed from an inner acknowledgement that I didn’t look and feel good. (made worse when you’re walking down the streets aside a model)

But I’m not saying that you should change for a guy. No. I’d always say do it for yourself. But never underestimate how being committed to being fit, and looking great can do for your self esteem, sex life and your relationship. 

Now I’m with Dave, and 30lbs lighter. It’s not just about looking good, no. It’s also about appreciating your other half more. When he’s at the gym, it’s his time. When I’m at the gym, it’s my time. We also love talking about fitness, training and nutrition. We have different views, and theories, which is amazing because it opens my eyes to new ideas. But most importantly, I know that being dedicated to keeping fit communicates a level of self respect that’s so vital for the long term success of a relationship. 

Here’s more reasons why you should get out of your r/s chub rut:

• Sex life. Off the charts.
• More confidence > More mojo > More attraction
• He’d love that you’re taking time to take care of YOURSELF
• Knowing that you look good means not having to constantly seek his validation (honey, does my jeans make me look fat? baby? why don’t you want to take me out to meet your friends? is it because you’re embarrassed of me?)
• Um. … did I mention…. Better sex?
• More options for spending time together <3 > Movies on a couch all the damn time

Some ideas to get fit, sweaty and sexy with your man:

• Get a gym membership with him. Working out together is a great way to motivate each other. Also, what’s sexier than seeing each other pant and pump it out? ;)
• Sign up for marathons, and crazy endurance events with him. (Dave has 10490194 races lined up this year… oh yes. He’s literally the Iron Man while I’m just the Iron Barbie)
• Sign up for sultry salsa classes together. If salsa is not your thing, try ballroom, quickstep, hiphop etc. Partying… with a bottle of Dom Perignon is not counted, yea? 
• Go on a hike together. Or do a weekend drive to get a run outside of the city together. Go get active in the midst of the beautiful nature that surrounds you.
• Wake up early to get a run on the beach and watch the sunrise together.
• Buy a cookbook and commit to trying out one new recipe per week together. Open a bottle of wine, and start cooking together and eating in. :)
• Visit the whole foods grocers together and revamp the contents of your fridge.
• If the both of you fancy some competition, draw out a monthly competition. E.G. whoever clocks in the most hours of working out that month will get a 3 course home cooked meal by the loser. :) yumm

The possibilities are endless. And while if you’re like me, and have gotten so used to getting fit on your own (i.e. gym time is my time), you’re probably resistant to the idea that you need a guy to motivate you to get fit. But, I’d always be happy to chime in that having your beloved other there with you, getting healthy and fit together.. - seriously, it doesn’t get better than that ;)