12-Week Goal Crusher: “How I Committed to A Three-Month Workout.”
Updated: Aug. 30, 2017
Laura Davidson decided it was time to really commit to a fitness goal. Here’s how she did it.
Laura Davidson, 28, recently discovered that her fitness goals had an expiry date. The 28-year-old financial account manager would set herself up for a three-month program, but for some reason or another, she’d fall off course. “I would always set a goal to work out for 12 straight weeks – as this is the length of most programs and e-books – and I would never make it past the five- or six-week mark. This year, I set the same goal and stuck to it.” Instead of accepting this as her natural course, she decided to finally commit to a full program as her latest goal, her latest #BHmoment. Here’s how she did it:
What steps did you take to train for 12 weeks?
“I set my workouts in my calendar like they’re appointments. I stopped putting it at the bottom of list in time slots, where I could easily find excuses not to do it. I also cut out drinking and included weekly meal prep in my schedule to help keep me on track. If I got bored with a workout, I would change it up to keep things fresh and fun and not give myself the opportunity for excuses. I also used the Whistle app to find a workout partner to keep me accountable. The app helped a lot, as I found that when another person relied on me, I was less likely to skip out on my workouts.” Davidson is the founder of Whistle, a social fitness app that pairs up like-minded workout partners.
Why was it important for you to do a long-term program?
“It was important for me, not only prove to myself that I could do it, but for my overall health and wellness. Not only that, but it was important for me to do this because of my business. It’s completely built around health and wellness, so this helped reassure me I was on the correct path.”
Would you do anything differently?
“I learned that one simple choice can change your whole life. Five months ago, I chose to seriously focus on health and fitness. This simple decision has already change my life and exposed me to new opportunities. I have had the privilege of meeting some amazing new people, trying new workouts, and I have seen a change in myself both mentally and physically. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate to try new experiences or be afraid to put myself out there when meeting new people in the fitness community.”
Now that you’ve done this, what advice would you give to others?
“Don’t be afraid to put yourself first. If you want to make a change, you need to be number one. This means less time with friends and less time socializing on nights and weekends. You may hear a comment or two from people who deep down don’t want you to change, and make you feel guilty, but you can’t listen to them. Do what’s right for you, and make yourself the priority.”
What did 12 weeks do for you?
“My life is better because I have found the proper balance of fitness, fun, and work. I am more confident with myself than ever before, and I am constantly setting new goals that I never thought I would set. I recognize that I am my top priority, and I am finally living life for me. I honestly have fitness to thank for that and couldn’t be happier with the results over the past five months.”
What advice are you now giving your friends?
“When it comes to fitness, the biggest tip I tell my friends is to lift heavy and eat clean, whole foods. Your body will thank you.”
What’s your next goal?
“I am training to become a certified personal trainer and am hoping to make a career shift even further into the health and fitness world. Transitioning from finance to fitness is just another reminder to keep an open mind in life. You’re never stuck, and you’d be surprised what you can do once you fully commit to something. Even if it’s the complete opposite of what you studied or what you’ve spent the past six years doing.”
Good luck Laura!
