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Not Motivated to Workout? Try Netflix & Sweat

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If I had a nickel for every time I didn’t want to workout but did, I’d be a millionaire. Truly. There is a misconception that because I am a fitness instructor, or because I have a PhD in Exercise Physiology or because I founded a fitness business that I love working out all the time.

I do love working out. Both my physical and mental health relies heavily on my ability to move my body and sweat…but some days…I just don’t wanna. Some days the last thing I want to do is get on my treadmill or go lift weights or go for a run outside. Some days I just wanna sit on my couch, turn on Netflix and…well…chill.

But not sexy chill. Like…chill, chill.

A few years ago I started tricking myself into my workouts using Netflix. This strategy really does help get you to your workouts when you would typically throw on your sweats and settle in with your wine and popcorn (or peanut butter cups, I’m not judging).

Top Fitness Tip to Get Your Workout Done:

I find a show on Netflix and I permit myself to watch it ONLY when I’m on my treadmill.

The problem with Netflix shows is, well, they’re super good and each episode leaves you wanting to watch the next. There have been so many days when the only reason I did my workout was that I needed to see what happened next to Harvey & Mike in Suits or whether Rayna and Deacon every do sleep together in Nashville.

I’m not kidding. Many times, my desire to find out “what happens next” is the only reason I workout. Some days, I know that I could find an excuse to not workout, but Archie and the Gang left me hanging last time and I really do need to find out who the Gargoyle King really is…and the only way to do that is sweating it out on my treadmill. So, instead of grabbing a glass of wine and settling in, I ie up my sneakers, get on the treadmill, turn my show on and get to work.

The key, though? Make the show a non-thinker. Don’t pick something that you need to follow closely, or is twisty turny and needs a lot thought: you will lose the plot. Because, although our mental focus is quite good while working out, mental processing can be slightly slower. And honestly, sometimes I can’t hear the show over my ridiculous loud breathing.

I’ve watched Riverdale, Dynasty, Suits, the Blacklist, and so many others! I now need a new series and am looking for. What’s your recommendation for my next Sweat Series on Netflix? I’m all ears. It needs to be juicy or a little suspenseful…comedies don’t typically work for me and they need to be over 40 minutes long.

Any recommendations for my next Netflix & Sweat series?? Fill me in so I can stay motivated!

Pop-Up Challenge!

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I love health and fitness challenges! In fact, I’m making the creation of challenges a major part of what I do to inspire and motivate you to get your buns moving. There are SO MANY challenges out there for you to try, how do you know which ones are actually safe? How do you know which ones are effective?

Erm. You follow me.

Cuz baby, I have a PhD in Exercise Physiology and over 22 years in the industry. I know what I’m doing and I absolutely want you to be successful AND have fun doing it!

So, today I created this fun little one-day challenge. You’ll need to plan for it, because yes…there is planning and dedication involved.

10,000 steps. Yup….you can do it. Meal planning? Yup, that’s in there, too. And what the what?? Hugs and physical contact?! YUP! Why? Because hugging is GOOD FOR YOU!

Here’s the challenge:

Now, before y’all go freaking out and laughing hysterically about the whole “8 hours of sleep” – remember, it’s a goal. This is so you are aware of the fact that maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t watch Netflix until midnight that night. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll put yourself to bed and give yourself a fighting chance to meet that 8 hours.

*Moms with littles – good luck! I’m honestly wishing the best for you!*

This may seem a little daunting to some, but honestly, it’s doable. In fact, a lot of the members of my Fueled Life Facebook Group (click to join if you haven’t already!) tackled this challenge last week and mentioned how great they felt throughout the day! So…yay!

Save the image to your phone and cross them off as you get them done. You’re going to have to pre-plan some of this (e.g. Pro tip: Seriously, no Netflix for the night…GO TO BED!).

Et voila. Bicketty bam. You’re a rockstar!

You in? You’re in, right? OF COURSE you are. Now, get to work! Off you go!

Do You High Five During Your Run? You should! Join the #HighFiveCrew

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When I started teaching bootcamp to a bunch of amazing Mamas (hello, Hot Mama Westshore!) I high-fived everyone after class. Every single person. Then, when I expanded and started teaching people how to be awesome instructors, I made it a “rule” that they were to high five everyone after every workout.

Why?

Good question.

At first, I did it because I wanted everyone to feel like they were seen at each and every workout. There’s no better way to acknowledge someone than through touch. Seeing that swatting my clients on the ass after every workout would have (most likely) been considered inappropriate, I had to settle for a high-five (and sometimes a sweaty hug because…well…I’m me).

As the years went on, high-fiving became a ritual for me. Whether I was teaching for Hot Mama or teaching elsewhere, I tried to high-five every single person I instructed. I made sure to make physical contact with every sweaty body.

I truly started doing it to be inclusive. To say “I see you. You’re amazing. Thank you for spending time with me”. But, recently, I realized that high-fiving gives back to me more than I give to it.

That sounds super hippie-dippy trippy, but hear me out.

When I high-five someone there is a definite transfer of energy. I give, they take. I take, they give. It’s very cool. Particularly during or after a workout, the transfer of energy is beautiful.

So, I high-five at the end of every single workout I teach because usually my participants are feeling great and, selfishly, I love taking their high energy into my soul. It makes me feel strong and amazing. So, as much as I’m giving them my gratitude, I also receive their good exercise vibes in return.

Recently, I’ve started high-fiving random people on my runs. If I see another person out for a jog and they’re running in the opposite direction, I’ll put my hand out for a high-five. Some people high-five back and some people are so into their run they don’t notice (OR…they don’t want to high-five, which is A-OK!).

And, you know what? The transfer of energy in that short touch is remarkable. After I high-five someone, my pace quickens for a few seconds and I feel strong and positive. It’s the endorphins, I know. But, it’s also more than that. It’s the positive feeling you get when you acknowledge someone’s effort and make them feel seen. It’s acknowledging that we’re doing the same thing and we’re seriously kickass human beings. It’s all positive and it’s all good energy and I absolutely take it from them when I can.

If you haven’t done something like that on a run, give it a whirl. It’s remarkable what can happen to your own energy with even that short connection. You may feel ridiculous at first, but trust me, once you start, you won’t stop.

High-five everyone. LOL. It’s the best way to make a quick connection and let someone know you see them, you acknowledge their effort and encourage them to continue on. The added transfer of energy to you is THE BEST!

Do it. Go on…join my #HighFiveCrew and feel the love (and energy)!

New Challenge! Choose Your Own Fitventure: Week TWO!

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We had a BLAST with Week One of Choose Your Own Fitventure and this week will be even better! This week we’re focused a little more on self-care and kindness. But, don’t you worry, I’ve included some physical challenges in there for you, too.

If you didn’t participate in Week One, that’s A-OK! You can jump into this challenge for the week and join the fun! Just make sure that you’re part of the Fueled Life with Lindsay Gee Facebook Group for the accountability posts and support, fun and shenanigans.

Here’s how this challenge works:

Below you’ll see five challenges. Your goal is to complete all five challenges by the end of the week. They do not need to be done in order and you can tick them off your to-do list on days that work with your schedule.

One rule: One challenge per day. Why? Because one of the purposes of Fueled Life is to nudge you every day to remember to take care of yourself. If you pumped off all five challenges in a day, you’d have another 6 days to forget about fitness, nutrition, etc. So…one challenge per day, please. xo

Without further adieu:

For Challenge #4, you can make it into a full workout by repeating everything 3 times. That’s what I’m planning to do and I’m super cool (just ask my kids…*eye roll*), so you should, too.

Alright, my friends, it’s time to get cracking! Have a BLAST and again, be sure to join the group to help you stay accountable to this challenge (and many more to come!).

Comments, questions, concerns? No problem! Fire away! I’m here for you. Off you go!

Team Mean Mom: Rules & Boundaries Required. Wanna join?

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I’m “so mean, Mom“.

I’m “the worst Mom EVER“.

I’m “so ridiculous, Mom“.

I’m “such a Mean Mom“!

I’m “omg…ugh…whatever, Mom *stomp, stomp, stomp, slam*”.

#TeamMeanMom

And ya know what? I’m proud to be part of Team Mean Mom. I stand tall and wave the Team Mean Mom banner. I wear the colors (really, ir’s just grey sweats with coffee and wine stains, but who are you to judge? I see that booger swiped on your shoulder and I salute you).

What does it mean to be a member of Team Mean Mom?

It means you set boundaries. It means you say “no” to your kids when your kids should be told “no”. It means you cancel plans that your kids were looking forward to because their behavior is/was atrocious and you need them to understand there are consequences to their shitty actions.

Team Mean Mom is a group of Moms (really, it’s just me, but I feel better thinking there’s a team of us out there) who refuse to raise little assholes who have zero respect for…well…respect.

To become a member of Team Mean Mom, you will be hazed. Not be me, I’m not mean to other women, mostly I’m just “mean” to my kids. No, I won’t haze you…but your kids will. 100%. Guaranteed hazing.

I’m part of Team Mean Mom because I enforce rules, and I demand respect. Not only respect for me, but for themselves, for others, for space, for time (mine and others’), for the multitude of things that bring them joy.

Don’t even get me started on all the other “things” that are similar to respect but show up in a list of “isn’t this just good behaviour and isn’t it a given that you should life your life like this”?! Such as:

  • Taking care of their shit.
  • Taking care of one another.
  • Not being little a-holes.
  • Being on time.
  • Being kind to themselves and their friends.
  • Doing their homework.
  • Cleaning their rooms (ties nicely into respecting the stuff we work hard to provide them with).
  • Showing gratitude.
  • Doing chores without complaint.
  • Being proactive and asking how they can help
  • …and many more things we are trying to teach our children.

And hey, listen, I KNOW they’re kids and that they’re learning and testing boundaries. I, 100%, know that. But how the heck are they going to learn those boundaries if we don’t hold them accountable for asshole-like behavioiurs, or even, just general poor decisions or poor time management?

I’m certainly held accountable by them, so why shouldn’t they be held accountable to me?

So, I’m a Mean Mom. I say “no”. I call them out when their behaviour is poor. I let them know if they’ve hurt my feelings. I let them know when they’re total shitheads…but I also tell them why.

I don’t just randomly take things away. I explain to them why they’re losing a privilege. I explain why their behaviour was not okay. I explain why I’m losing my ever-loving mind and that I love them, but they overstepped their awesomeness for the day and I need to reign them in.

It is not often well-received. I’m often eye-rolled and stomped away from. But then, after some time, I’m apologized to and my kids often acknolwedge with their own words what happened and why they will try not to do _______________ (insert shitty behaviour here) again.

And hey…I KNOW they’re going to do it again. That’s okay. They’re learning. I will continue to remind them. I will continue to work with them. I will continue to say “no”, take things away and help my kids grow to be kind, smart, compassionate, driven and amazing children. And I gotta say, it’s mostly because I’m a Mean Mom.

#TeamMeanMom

I’m a part of Team Mean Mom and I hope you’re beside me. Because when I see another “Mean Mom” on the street, in the aisle of the grocery store, at the park, at a sporting event, in a restaurant…you can bet your sweet ass I’m going up to her, giving her a hug and hip bump to let her know that we are stronger as a team.

We may be part of Team Mean Mom, but we’re certainly doing it for all the right reasons.

Stay strong, Mean Moms. I got your back.