Focus on getting stronger, fitter, and leaner through basic movement patterns. You don’t need two-hour sessions filled with complex movements and crazy af exercises. You know the ones. Sometimes, less really is more. Quality over quantity will always, and I mean ALWAYS, lead to better results!
2. CALORIES BURNED? WHO CARES!
Your watch doesn’t know how many calories you burned, no matter how much you’ve convinced yourself otherwise. Stop giving those silly little numbers on your wrist so much power. You determine how good you feel after a session and you cannot change my mind. Training should make you feel good and you should enjoy it. You shouldn’t be slamming yourself to burn more cals than last session.
3. START (AND STOP) WITH ONE SESSION A DAY
Overtraining, especially for females, can be dangerous. This is also very true for people who are just starting out, trust me, one workout a day is PLENTY. If you are overtraining, you might find as a result you will come across more injuries, your hormones might become f*cked, and your ability to achieve your body comp goals might even be compromised. Listen to your body and give yourself time to recover. It’s going to be wayyyy better for the long run.
Your menstrual cycle has four phases, each with different symptoms that affect your training, nutrition, mindset, motivation, and body confidence. Learn about these phases to help you work with your body, not against it. This knowledge can empower you and help put yourself at ease to trust your body’s offerings.
Eat when you’re hungry and what you truly enjoy. Oh and also WHENEVER YOU WANT. There is no rulebook for what minute and hour you should be eating. Educate yourself about what it is that you are putting into your body and remove the stigma that carbs, fats, and/or certain foods are bad for you. Energy balance is key, and prolonged teenage years starving yourself can really f*ck you in the ass when it comes to reaching your goals later on. (Teach your children this too).
Make fitness about you. Not because your mum told you to get fit, or because your netball coach said you need to be more athletic, or because your shitty boyfriend said your ass looks little. Train because you love it. And if you don’t love it, find a training style that you LOVE. If training isn’t for you, go for a walk, or give yoga a go. Just move and find what feels right for YOU.
Your body is yours. It will NEVER EVER EVER look like anyone else’s. Stop comparing yourself to that #fitspo pic on your phone. It will never be you. Own your body, flaws and all, and focus on being the best version of yourself. Oh, and delete that pic.
As you train, coach, or invest your life into this world you learn every day. But the concepts stay the same. Don’t listen to the fitness f*ckwits in the world. Keep it simple and stick to the basics. Love what you do, and love yourself always.