I am so excited to welcome to The Stylish Planner, one of our new guest bloggers – Kiana Lewis!  Kiana will be our Health & Fitness Expert, reporting to us a couple of times each month on easy ways to stay fit on a busy schedule.

Kiana, a skilled fitness professional, has been working in the health and fitness industry for over 9 years. She holds various certifications, including W.I.T.S (World Instructors Training School) and ACE (American Council on Exercise). Kiana’s expertise lies in fitness training, as well as weight management. She has experience with various populations including, pre/post-natal and athletes, among many others. She loves plyometric training, sports, photography, and traveling.

Kiana’s philosophy about fitness is, “Exercise, your body will appreciate it."

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**image courtesy of Glennpeb (http://www.sxc.hu/profile/GlennPeb)

Ok everyone, winter is here and now it’s time to make a vow to stick to your exercise routine. I know, it’s bitter cold, it gets dark early, the roads are icy and you’d much rather be home on your couch, rather than going to a gym. Here is a list of suggestions to help you stick to your routine:

1. Keep Track

-It always helps to have a visual reminder that you are staying on track. Grab your planner, print a calendar off the computer, or go to Staples or Office Depot and buy a dry eraser calendar, "X" off the days you exercise. If you see a week without "X’s", you have some making up to do.

2. Recruit

-Why not recruit a friend who has similar fitness goals as you? Ask a friend or family member to join you in your efforts to get/stay in shape; someone who is organized and stays on track, which, in turn, will help both of you stick to your routine.

3. Commit to a Time

-Whether you get in an hour earlier, dash out on you lunch break, or go to the gym after work, making a time commitment is crucial to staying on task.

4. Always Have a Backup

-We all have days where going to the gym is the farthest thing from what we want to do. On those days, commit to working out at home. Pull out an aerobics video or jump rope and do a cardio workout; drop down and do pushups and crunches; add in squats and lunges too. Also, make a point to purchase a mat, a few sets of dumbbells and an exercise ball in order to get a workout in without going to the gym.

5. Fee Per Session

-If you have the extra resources, hire a personal fitness trainer. Some people are better at sticking to appointments, so knowing that someone is waiting for them and that they are on a time schedule, they will be more apt to go. Also, no one wants to waste money, and most personal trainers will charge clients for last minute cancellations.

Hopefully these tips will help keep you motivated during these winter months. If you have other suggestions or questions, feel free to contact me at bewellandmarry@gmail.com.