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Hi friends!

Here is your biweekly Tri-Tip Tuesday, sharing my current thoughts on food, fitness, & travel. Please forward this to others if you think they may be inspired.

Food: "hoping" isn't helping

There is a short list of wellness phrases that make me cringe just a tad when I hear them. Having a "cheat day" is a big example. Another common phrase that does more harm than good is "hoping".

It's usually expressed something like..."I ate badly this week, but I'm hoping next week is better." Or, "I didn't do any strength training this week, but hope to get some in next week".

Not every week is going to be perfect. That's okay and should be expected. However, if you are trying to make a serious shift in your lifestyle habits, you need to plan for it and prioritize it for it to happen.

Hoping for x, y, or z, doesn't put any urgency or an action plan on it. Having goals without an action plan, and relying on hope, is nothing more than a wish list. Hoping for something does not initiate prioritizing, at all.

Rather than hoping, put some realistic and measurable goals into your week. For example, if you are trying to eat better, you could start with prioritizing protein at every meal. To do that, you must plan. Plan your menu for the week, grocery shop, make sure you have protein thawed in the fridge, and make sure you have pre-cooked proteins for fast meals that you know you need a grab-and-go, such as breakfast.

If you struggle with the goal, work backward and ask yourself why it was challenging (even though the constant "whys" may make you feel like a 3-year-old 😂)...

• I had fast food for lunch today, why? → Because I didn't pack a lunch.
• Why didn't I pack a lunch? → Because I didn't have anything ready to bring with me.
• Why didn't I have anything ready to bring with me? → Because I didn't have any meat thawed out.
• Why didn't I have any meat thawed out? → Because I didn't plan my menu ahead of time.
• Why didn't I plan your menu ahead of time? → I don't know.....
  👉🏼This is the step that can and should be focused on and changed, to set up a successful week.

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Fitness: building routine

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Driving to the gym is the hardest part of the workout"? Ha, it's true, and I can relate. I remember when I used to drive to the gym decades ago, actually sitting in my car not wanting to go inside. But, I drove all the way there, so I eventually sucked it up and went inside.

When we first started RVing full-time back in 2019, we did still go to the gym. We had a Planet Fitness membership that we used daily. Then, when COVID came and the gyms shut down, we shifted and relied on home RV workouts 100% of the time. We still do home workouts at the RV now, 100% of the time, even though the gyms are back open. I love the convenience of it, and the time saved.

There are pros and cons to everything in life. Without the gym, we have less equipment to use, and we miss the energy that gyms can provide. Also, it takes a little more discipline to start workouts, without that drive there, or the dedicated space to focus on a workout. But we have a solid base of consistency and routine.

Anytime you are starting a new routine, getting back into your old routine, or maintaining your routine, consistency is key.

If you are good and consistent with weight training, but trying to add in running/cardio, start small. Set a goal for 3 days per week to just "show up" and jog. Make it a small goal compared to what you know your baseline could be. For example, if your standard jog was always 3 miles, just do 1/2 to 1 mile per jog during week one. Showing up for 10 minutes is mentally easier than 30 minutes. As you build the routine, your time and mileage will go up.

Conversely, if you are consistent with cardio and want to add in weight training, start small. Have a program for 3 days per week, but perhaps do only 1 set of each exercise instead of 3 or 4. Again, showing up for 10 minutes is easier mentally than 40 minutes. Get in, show up, get out, and repeat.
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Repeat over and over. Stay consistent, and build that routine.

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Travel: we're back!

Our "Keys to Canada" trip is officially over. We traveled very quickly for five months, up the East coast, from the Florida Keys all the way to Newfoundland Canada. We put in thousands of miles, had a lot of short stays, extra travel days, tons of fun, and lots of stress, all at once.

When the two months of Canadian travels came near an end, Aaron and I were both fulfilled with our journies and ready to return to the States. We had created new memories and experiences but were exhausted. It's crazy to think that we have been on a "six-year road trip". When I think of it that way, I think, "Yes, we should be exhausted" 😂

Coming back to the United States brought the comfort of familiarity again. I'm excited about the little things, like more control of our schedule, longer office days, longer workouts, hiking the mountains, and higher-quality food. I'm ready for my full routine back. Routine is a beautiful thing!

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Make it a great week!

Christine Irene

NASM-CPT, Senior Fitness Specialist, Precision Nutrition Pn1 + Pn2 Certified, & Avid Traveler

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