What fitness program actually works?

Shown above, from left to right are BeachBody's Turbo Fire, Dr. Jordan Metzel's Iron Strength for runners, Beachbody's P90X and PiYO.  

Is there a fitness program that works the best?  Is there an exercise plan that actually works and gives good results? The answer is yes, to all of them.  Every exercise program that you have seen, heard or attempted works.  You want to know why? CONSISTENCY, CONSISTENCY, oh and CONSISTENCY!  The reason why most people do not see results like they want, is because they do not give the exercise plan they are using time to show results.  We live in such a fast pace, I want it now world that we completely forget that TIME and PATIENCE are huge when it comes to fitness and changing our bodies.  In a side note:  the food we eat also plays an equally big part in fitness results as consistency does.  It takes a good four to six week for our bodies to adjust to a new stimulus.  A stimulus can be anything that we are introducing our bodies to that it does not already know.  Examples: running, lifting weights, walking, biking etc...  It takes time for your body to change, so let it!  
What exercise program is best for you?  Pick one, any one!  When looking for a program, choose one that looks fun. Look for one that fits your lifestyle and every day activities.   Do not bite off more than you can chew with this. Once you choose one, stick with it!  I bet you will see a good change in a couple weeks!

Here are a few helpful tips on staying consistent:
1. Write it down!!!!  It does not matter if you walked 5 minutes or 45 minutes, write it down.  Do it every day.  The more you see a trend, the more you want to keep seeing it.  It is hard to see a calendar with a consistent streak and then all of sudden there is a break.  Get a special notebook or calendar that you really like or think is super cute (This is what I do, I am a sucker for cute planners).  Designate that planner for only fitness.  Use that thing every single day.  Write down rest days, write down stretch,  just write it all down.  (Hobby Lobby sells adorable ones. Erin Condren always has fun ones.

2. Recruit a friend.  
​Nothing can keep you accountable like another person.  Having a friend with you during workouts can make it way more fun, and you never want to let a friend down by not showing up.  If you are a competitive person, this gives you a little friendly competition to keeps things interesting.  Having another person doing the workouts with you, is another way of keeping a promise to yourself.  If you are going to show up for someone else, then you are showing up for you.   If you are not sure where to find a workout buddy, look at local running stores.  They usually have a local group of runners of all paces.  If you want a gym buddy, ask your friend that dishes out The Bachelor with you every week.  You can talk all you want while pushing the weights!
3. Do not over pack your exercise plate.
This can be biggie!  It is one that happens a majority of the time.  You want to get in shape so you cram the little time you do have to workout to the brim.  You put in your one hour window running AND strength training for example.  But what happens?  You need time to get ready to run, to change, use the restroom etc.  You go for a run, come back and realize that you only have 15 minutes left in that hour for strength training.  You end up skipping the strength training due to time and the rest of the day you feel terrible about your self because you did not get in the workout you had down.   This happens to all of us!  If you know you only have 30 minutes to workout, only schedule one thing.  Just do one thing and do it well.  This will keep you feeling confident and you will see your calendar looking accomplished!  
4. Schedule your workouts like it is your job.
How many times have you said, "I am going to workout later, after work." After work shows up and then, oh no! I see laundry that needs to be done, or a friend wants to chat and have coffee, or dinner plans etc...  This will happen 90 % of the time.  You will say that you are going to do something, but then life happens and your workout gets thrown to the curb.  STOP IT!   Write down the time you are going to exercise and stick with it like you are getting paid to do it.  You may not be getting actual green for working out, but your body is going to pay you later with a great attitude and good fitting clothes.
5. Hire a coach.
This is an individual thing.  Not everyone can afford to hire a coach to keep them accountable and to send them their daily workouts.  If you can afford it, this is a great way to stay accountable and meet your fitness goals.  For running, a coach can be the single most important part of reaching your race or running dreams.  A coach can take the stress away of figuring out what to run and how far each day.  A coach is an ear that will listen to your questions about running, pains, injuries etc. and a coach can explain why you are running a certain workout.  If you are looking for a running coach, check out my coaching page.

Staying consistent is one of the biggest keys to getting results when it comes to any type of workout, or exercise program.  Pick one that is fun and get after it!!

Run your heart out!
​BCR