Personal Fitness Trainer Megan on Fitting in Fitness

Struggling to fit in fitness? You're in luck! September Trainer of the Month and Certified Fitness Trainer Megan has stopped by to share how she fits fitness into her busy schedule. Check out her tips and consider accepting her fitness dare, a fitness challenge to get you moving more in this post, a series completed in the style of the interviews completed for the book Superwomen Secrets Revealed.

A day in my life begins with an early morning run, either out on the trails of Northern Utah or mixed with a workout at the gym. I then make sure to have a solid breakfast, brew some coffee and pack my meals for the day. I go into the office (at a recreation center) and head off to class around lunchtime, research for my thesis (grad school!) and return to work for the afternoon, often meeting with students or staff throughout the day. My evenings often include a strength session or some yoga or climbing, followed by dinner, winding down for the evening and planning for the day ahead.

Despite fitness being my profession, it can be tough to fit my own fitness routine in if it isn’t prioritized and scheduled. 90% of the time, if I don’t get it done first thing in the morning or have it penciled in with a friend, it doesn’t happen.

Has fitness always been part of your routine?

Fitness has always been part of my routine in some form or fashion, as I have played sports and run cross country and track since middle school. However, since I graduated this year, it’s been my job to make sure it stays a part of my routine beyond college. I no longer have a coach writing workout plans or a team expecting me to show up at practice – that was a nice luxury, and it’s now my co-workers who motivate me to continue! I also now see the value in having my own trainer to check in with

How did adding fitness to your routine impact your life?

Fitness has impacted my life in so many ways – from building work ethic and teaching me resiliency to putting the team before myself and pushing my body and mind beyond what I thought possible, fitness has molded my identity and continues to shape me into the person I am. 

Do you always stick to your routine 100% of the time? How do you feel when you miss a day or two, and what do you do to get back on track?

Like nutrition, I aim for 85-90% adherence to my fitness plan and leave some room for modification. Trying to aim for 100%, all-or-nothing, and feeling bad when I miss a run or don’t hit my mileage goal has never resulted in a positive outcome. If I happen to miss a day, I remind myself that slip-ups happen, but I also make a note that missing one or two workouts can easily turn into three or four (or a week off), so I make note to get right back on board within a day or two. Downtime has its place though, and recovery is far too often neglected, not just in fitness, but in our lives. I see fitness as seasons in life – sometimes you’re in full bloom, full steam ahead, and other seasons it’s time to relax a bit more and find ways to unwind. The fun part is finding a balance between the two.

What advice do you have for women who feel too busy to make fitness part of their lives?

I acknowledge that fitness can be difficult to fit in especially when life gets hectic, but it is also a matter of priorities. Are there ways you can include activity into your day that enhance it, rather than take away from it? This could mean catching up with girlfriends over a workout class instead of margaritas, an office walking meeting instead of inside the office, or weekend activities with your kids. Regardless of what you do, where you are in life, or how busy you feel, fitness has the power to change your life for the better.

What action step do you dare readers to take to start fitting fitness into their routine no matter how busy they are?

I dare readers to take the first action step on something they’ve been meaning to do – commit to scheduling in your next workout, schedule that first personal training session, sign up for that class you’ve been meaning to try. Every habit begins with one small action.

Do you have a quote or mantra you live by?

Building upon my last answer, one of my favorite quotes is “Big things are accomplished by a series of small things done together.” It’s the little things that count towards your bigger goals. A lofty accomplishment such as running a marathon is built upon little things such as small runs, the strength sessions, stretching out-- day after day, week after week. Celebrate the small feats and remind yourself that big wins are coming!

Fitting in fitness is a challenge for everyone at some point or another, but it’s one of the most vital and rewarding parts of life. No amount of fitness is too small to fit into your schedule. It’s just a matter of making the commitment to figure out how  

Now that you've heard Megan's tips it's time to take action! In the comments share how you'll accept her fitness dare. If it's scheduling a private session, head HERE to try one with Megan! As our Trainer of the Month, her session are offered at a discount!