Western Vitality

Like most people, I played sports in high school. Of course, we had weight training almost every day, usually before school. About 90% of people live this “high school athlete” life, only to graduate, start working a 9-5, and never set foot in a gym again. Well… maybe 80%—the world is changing. Health is becoming more of a priority as technology and society develop.

I’ve been a consistent gym-goer for nearly six years now. I’ve been through all the phases and temptations. Through all the ups and downs, I’ve found a few things that have helped me stay on track—things you don’t hear about often. Before we dive in, let me preface this with one thing: We’re putting aside the “accept yourself the way you are” bull crap. There’s a time and place for that, but not here. So, yes, you might read some of these and think, “But aren’t I supposed to just love myself the way I am?” Yes, you are. But there’s nothing wrong with a hot girl glow-up. 😉

1. Get tan.

Karlee… what are you smoking?? Hear me out, friend. No, I’m not saying go outside and fry like a burnt chicken nugget or hit the tanning bed and get skin cancer. What I am saying is that when you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you can achieve just about anything. When you actually feel like you look good, you’re way more likely to put on your gym clothes and get that workout in.

And nothing gives me that sense of attractiveness and aliveness like a nice tan. Now, there are safe ways to do this—please don’t go out and triple your risk of melanoma because Karlee said getting tan is the only way to feel good. There are plenty of options! In the colder months, I use safe, healthy self-tanners. Contrary to popular belief, small and frequent amounts of sun exposure are actually good for you. So if you can, put on your favorite swimsuit and go outside for 15 minutes a day in the summer. You won’t be out long enough to burn, and if you do this daily for a few weeks, your skin will gradually produce more melanin for a slow, safe tan.

Of course, everyone is different. If you’re a ginger and just do not tan, self-tanner might be your best bet. I’m giving you ideas, but I’m trusting you won’t be dumb, get skin cancer, and then come at me for it.

2. Don’t overdo it, especially at the start.

When starting any habit, jumping in headfirst isn’t always the best move. If you go from never working out to suddenly trying to train for an hour, seven days a week, it’s probably not going to stick. You’ll last about a week before burning out.

So start smaller. For me, if I only do something once or twice a week, it doesn’t become a habit. But if I do it every day—even for just 10 minutes—that’s when it sticks. Ideally, you want to work out 3-5 days a week. Anything more can be too much depending on your lifestyle. Try starting with just 10 minutes every weekday, then gradually increase over time.

If you want more insight on habit-building, read Atomic Habits by James Clear. Seriously, it’ll change your life.

3. Get workout clothes you’re comfortable in.

And I mean literally and figuratively. There’s nothing worse than trying to work out in itchy, too-tight, or awkwardly fitting clothes. Total turn-off. Find clothes that fit you well and allow you to move comfortably.

On the flip side, get workout clothes you feel good in. And no, you don’t have to go full Instagram fitness model mode. You can look cute without showing your entire body to the world. When you feel confident in what you’re wearing, you’re way more likely to stay consistent.

4. Get dressed—even when working out at home.

If you work out at home (like I do right now), make it a habit to get up and put on your workout clothes first thing. It might seem pointless—like, who’s even going to see you? But this simple act tells your brain, “Okay, it’s time to move.”

I rarely skip a workout once I’ve put my gym clothes on. Even on days I don’t feel like it, or even if it’s a rest day, I still get dressed. Just putting on those clothes makes it easier to follow through. And remember, wearing workout clothes doesn’t mean you have to go all out every day. Even some light yoga counts. The key is building the habit.

BONUS TIP: Set out your workout clothes the night before. I change in the bathroom every morning since my husband is asleep, so I lay everything out the night before. That way, I don’t waste time looking for stuff in the morning. The easier you make it to work out, the more likely you are to do it.

5. Set up a Pinterest board.

We hear all the time that social media is bad, bad, bad and a waste of time. But guess what? It can actually be useful.

Create a Pinterest board that gives you the exact vibes you want in your life. Mine is called THAT GIRL and is filled with healthy lifestyle inspiration. Whenever I feel unmotivated, I scroll through it, and BOOM—instant energy boost.

Refer back to your board whenever you need that push. And if you need inspiration, you can follow Western Vitality on Pinterest—I’ve already done a lot of the work for you!

Final Thoughts

Building a consistent workout routine can be hard—it takes discipline and effort. But we can always make things more fun and exciting by adding little tweaks along the way.

I’d love to hear how these ideas help you! If you have any other tips, drop them in the comments.

‘Til next time!