Fitness Porter

You don’t need a diet, you need to be more mindful of what you eat.

You don’t need high-intensity workouts, you need to get off your butt more.

Whatever you do, it will NOT be the perfect plan. But even the “perfect plan” doesn’t work because it’s perfect. It works because you’re doing it.

(Everything I say from this moment on will only reiterate those 54 words. However, if you want it spelled out a little more, I’ve got you covered.)

The First Line

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There are an exponential amount of lies regarding fitness and nutrition. Many of them come from businesses who want to sell you on their products; they feel no guilt selling you a lie if it means earning a quick buck.

Those aren’t the lies I’m addressing today.

This list is about the lies we all tend to tell ourselves at one point or another on our path to getting fit, because those lies are easier to miss.

Two Truths and a Lie

Ever played the game t...

When your performance at the gym is less than the kick-assery* you hoped for…

When the weight doesn’t go up on certain lifts, or even goes down…

When the same run is just as vomit-inducing today as it was 6 months ago…

When you’re in a rut, or hit a plateau, it’s time to figure out how to step up your game.

*Kick-assery is an industry term. A related, but opposite, industry term is “douchebaggery.” Both can be seen in the gym, but you should strive f...

“I know what I need to do to get in shape. When I try, I can get it done. The problem is I’m all-or-nothing.”

If you’ve said anything similar to this before, you already know this mindset has its drawbacks. But what if told you there’s a way to use it to your advantage?

You may just be going all-in on the wrong things.

First, Acknowledge the Elephant

Why hello there, Elephant. I see you hiding there in the corner of the room. You’re not as discreet a...

If you’ve ever tried an exercise and it’s felt uncomfortable, or even caused you pain, you know how frustrating it can be when you’re told you HAVE to do it.

For instance, squats are a necessity in a good workout program. But that notion can turn you off to the whole idea of exercise if squats suck for you.

No matter the exercise that gives you trouble, I have 7 tips to help you avoid giving up the idea of ever working out again.

This First Thing Is...

Step counting has been popular for awhile now. So much so that tracking your daily walking activity is a feature built into most phones.

You may even have (or are considering getting) a watch or fitness tracker to collect that data more accurately for you.

Having that information does you no good if you aren’t sure what to do with it, or if you should even pay attention to it. My goal is to help you make that decision for yourself.

Too Sexy for My S...

Working in the garden. Hiking in the mountains. Vacuuming your entire house. Taking a ride around the bike trail.

There are times when any of those things could count as exercise.

There are also times when, not only should those specific examples not be considered exercise, but other things — like your daily 5 mile run, or an hour lifting weights at the gym — don’t count either.

I’m talking about the difference between exercise and activity. Without...

Not every enjoyable food has to be completely avoided when you’re trying to eat healthy or lose weight.

Oh heck, what am I saying? There aren’t ANY enjoyable foods that ever have to be completely avoided!

Still, there are ways to turn an infrequent indulgence into a better choice that can be enjoyed more often.

For instance, I tend to shy away from pre-made burgers in the store. Even though the convenience is incredibly tempting as a busy mom, there...

You don’t have to ditch your favorite recipes if you’re trying to eat healthy.

Of course, as long as you stick with your good habits a majority of the time, there’s nothing wrong with the occasional meal that doesn’t fit your normal standards of healthy eating. 

However, you may find there’s a way to “healthify” a favorite recipe without sacrificing its yum-factor. That’s what I did for this…

Spinach & Artichoke, Chicken & Pasta Casserole

I love...

Protein recommendations are all over the map. Is it the most annoying thing in life?

Well, maybe.

It’s a toss up between that and the “close door” button that doesn’t actually do anything on elevators. Between those two things, it’s enough to drive a person crazy.

I can help you out with one of them (hint: I’m not an elevator mechanic).

Successful Weight Loss

Part of the reason protein information varies so much is because advice changes depending on...