1. Schedule fit.

Whether you are CEO of a business, your family, or just your world, sticking to a schedule keeps everything in order and helps you accomplish all the necessary tasks and goals. Make your workouts a priority and program them in at least five days a week. Enter them into your calendar (manually or electronically) in advance so they are a mandatory, inflexible part of your day. Schedule all of your meetings, errands, appointments, and duties around your workouts. Consider it your most critical appointment and it will help you be more efficient at everything else, provide energy to carry you through your days, and clear up your mind so there is space for thinking and performing optimally.

2. Socialize fit.

Schedule meetings and get-togethers with friends and colleagues on a hiking trail, walking path, or at a gym. Many successful business deals, enhanced friendships, and creative endeavors have come together in bonding environments such as these. Start out a lunch date at a fun class together, like hip hop, power yoga, or circuit training, and then continue your date for a post-workout recovery meal. You will effectively strengthen your body and your social life at the same time.

3. Entice fit.

Is there a decadent book you're eager to dive into? A guilty mind-candy type of TV series you long to indulge in? A classic film you've always wanted to watch? Collect your choice of these options and watch or read ONLY while you're exercising. Set up a workout arrangement that enables you to do so. For example, put a piece of exercise equipment (stationary bike, mini trampoline, dumbbells, etc.) in front of the TV and save the TV episode(s) or film to watch during exercise. Or plunge into that juicy book while doing cardio on a machine. These rewards will help you look forward to your workouts.

4. Multitask fit.

With modern technology, it is easy to get on a machine and sweat while responding to emails, making phone calls (if you are not the one doing too much huh-huh-huh talking), reading articles or documents, and even writing papers. Have you seen engineering’s attempt to make desks out of treadmills? Other ways to multitask include:

• Sitting on a big exercise ball at your desk instead of a chair. For extra credit, you can sneak in a set of crunches, wall squats, and pushups throughout the day.
• Take your kids to the park to play along with resistance tubing and a jump rope. You can give your kid a push on the swing, watch them play, and workout altogether.
• While speaking on the phone or brushing your teeth, do plies, squats, calf raises, step-ups, and leg swings. 

5. Reward fit.

Plan rewards to keep your motivation strong. Although your body and mind will naturally feel stronger and you'll most likely notice an improvement in your fitness level, stress, emotional state, and energy, you can tack on additional bonuses once you reach set goals. Great, inspiring gifts to give yourself include a new exercise toy (a foam roller, kettle bell, or Swiss ball), workout clothes, a new song to move to, or a fitness DVD. It doesn't have to be a bought reward...simply tune into your body and notice the built-in benefits. Document your success in a journal or schedule a race (a 5K, 10K, or even a marathon or triathlon) to boost your motivation.

 




ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julieanna Hever, also known as The Plant-Based Dietitian, is the author of the best-selling book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide To Plant-Based Nutrition, and the nutrition columnist for VegNews Magazine. She is the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking. Julieanna was recently featured on The Dr. Oz Show, The Steve Harvey Show, Reluctantly Healthy, Issues with Jane Velez-Mitchell, and E! News, co-stars on The Chef and The Dietitian, on numerous radio shows, and has lectured extensively throughout the United States. She co-produced and starred in To Your Health, and counsels a variety of clients worldwide from her Los Angeles-based private practice including elite athletes, adults, and children with various nutritional and/or medical concerns. She taught as part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell’s eCornell Plant-Based Nutrition Certification Program, and worked as a personal trainer and clinical dietitian. Her work as Executive Director of EarthSave, International has provided an opportunity for Julieanna to bring whole food, plant-based nutrition to the forefront of efforts to improve the current global health crisis. Julieanna received her Bachelors degree from UCLA and Masters of Science in Nutrition at CSUN, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship.

Sneak Peek: What Would Julieanna Do?

Get a sneak peek of  our new lifestyle talk show starring Julieanna Hever, a whole food, plant-based  diet advocate, who shares insider information with her viewers on everyday topics. Premieres January 28th.