Challenge Week #2: Success Favors the Prepared Mind

Hello Challengers! Welcome to Week 2 of the Visit Florida Strength and Flexibility Challenge! I hope you are having a great time.

In your emails and conversations, a consistent theme is bubbling up: being prepared. We're talking about preparing food ahead of time, getting organized for a workout, and finding time to stretch. 

Have you heard the adage, "success favors the prepared mind?" It means, simply, that when you are prepared, you are more likely to be successful! Also, that when you are in a constant state of preparedness, opportunities to be successful are less overwhelming because you are ready.

Here are some ways you can be prepared for success in each of your goals:

Strength and Resistance
Finding time to work out can be a challenge, especially if you travel a lot or have a family to care for. 

• Make sure your resistance bands and a workout DVD are in your suitcase ready to be packed for your next trip. 
• Keep a gym bag at work and stock it with plenty of clean workout gear so you're ready to walk or grab a class when the opportunity strikes. 
• Break your workout into three 10-minute segments of exercise. Yes, it counts! This list of 50 body weight exercises you can do anywhere makes it easier.

Flexibility
It's easy to skip stretching, but doing stretches that make you feel good brings an extra reward to the idea of stretching! Be prepared by printing out these 4 Feel-Great Stretches You Have to Try and keeping them handy for when you have a minute or two to stretch.

If you're having a hard time getting disciplined about stretching, attach stretching to a habit you already have. For example, you (hopefully) already have the habit of brushing your teeth at night. Adding a minute or two of stretching right afterwards makes it easier to stretch without adding a whole new element to your day. Everyone has one minute to spare at some point in the day!

Body Fat
Many of us working on body fat are using www.MyFitnessPal.com to track calories and meals. Be prepared by logging what you plan to eat at the beginning of the day, or at the end of the day before. This success tip does a few great things: it forces you to think through your day and notice any potential obstacles to good eating (oh yeah, I have a lunch appointment tomorrow!), it sets the tone for a healthy day, and it takes one more step in convincing your brain that you have already done the healthy things!

Being prepared takes some advanced thinking, but you're already halfway there. I'm looking forward to hearing how you fool-proof your day and achieve those healthy goals!

Stay strong!