For us women who are juggling life’s responsibilities of families, personal goals, careers, fitness can often feel unattainable. What is the secret to making it work?  Planning. Planning is the quick fix for fitness. Basically, it is the most effective way to achieve and sustain fitness goals. A well-structured plan transforms our intentions into action.  It is the key to fitting exercise into busy schedules.

Why is Planning the Quick Fix?

1. Planning eliminates the guesswork. If it is on the calendar, it will get done. A thought-out plan can be the best guide to getting your workout in.  When you have high energy levels, schedule more rigorous workouts and lighter activities for recovery and lower energy days. As an example, plan to take 10,000 steps or more each day.
2. Consistency comes with planning and is needed for progress.  Consistency turns small efforts into significant long-term gains. Map out weekly workouts to create a routine that works for you.  Example would be strength sessions Mon, Wed, and Fri morning and cardio on Tues and Thurs.  Saturday is for another activity such as biking and then rest day on Sunday.  Treat workouts like any other non-negotiable appointments. 
3. Nutrition and meal prep requires planning.  Having meals thought out helps to avoid impulsive eating and helps to align healthy food choices to fitness goals. Plan out meals for the week and include how much water you will drink each day.
4. Planning helps with accountability.  Planning not only provides a roadmap, but it also helps to keep us accountable to ourselves and others for our goals and actions.

Fitness is not about perfection. It is about the willingness to show up and put in the hard work. Planning is an important element of any fitness program. By organizing workouts and meals, fitness can become a natural part of life. Planning is the quick fix for fitness and a smart strategy.