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5 Ways to Make Your Fitness Goals STICK This Year

8 Jan

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Fit4Less. The opinions and text are all mine.


How can you actually make your fitness goals stick this year?

We resolve the same things every year but how many of us make it past February 1st?

I’ve got some big resolutions this year, and I’m determined that I’ll see them through. I’ve even got my husband keeping me accountable (which he’s enjoying way too much)! But when it comes to fitness goals, there are some specific things I’ve found have worked to keep me motivated and sticking with my resolutions.

These are the principles that had me going to the gym every single morning at 7:00 when I was in university, and are what I’m starting again this year now that I have to wake up early to get my husband to work!

I hope these help you! Let’s go:

This year, make your fitness goals stick all 12 months! Here are 5 ways to keep your New Year's Resolutions and get in shape!

1. Get real about what’s holding you back

If you’re like me, you’ve likely been resolving to get in shape every year since you were fifteen. But have you ever stopped to really ask why you haven’t stuck with it in the past?

For me, it’s simple–I’m tired. Plain and simple. Right now the biggest obstacle I’m dealing with is that I drive my husband to work at 7:30 every morning and I’m exhausted–but that’s my only time to work out. We are working on going to bed earlier so that I can feel rested and less tired so that I actually go to the gym instead of collapsing back into bed!

I know for many young adults or students, price can be a huge issue. Paying $75 a month for a membership you may not use as often as you’d like is incredibly daunting. The result? No gym membership at all, so you don’t do the workouts, or you get a membership and stress about your budget.

If this is a problem for you, I’d seriously suggest checking out Fit4Less. Fit4Less is a Canadian fitness company that has created amazing gyms across Canada–their equipment is great, their facilities are clean, and they’re extremely friendly, as any Canadian company should be!

But to top it all off, they’ve got some of the most competitive rates I’ve ever seen, starting at $4.99 every two weeks for 4Less memberships (with an affordable joining fee). That’s literally just two lattes a month! If price has been an issue for you in the past but you still want to be able to work out at a quality gym, check out Fit4Less!

What has held you back in the past? How can you overcome that obstacle this year?

2. Go on a cash budget for food

A huge issue for getting in shape and staying on track is watching what we eat. When we eat good food, we feel good, and we go to the gym. But unhealthy food is just so dang convenient, isn’t it? It’s so much easier to grab a bag of chips or order in a pizza than it is to cook a good meal.

But convenient food is also often quite expensive. That’s one of the many reasons why getting fit can actually save you a ton of money–you stop eating expensive, unhealthy meals and start cooking from scratch.

Going on a cash budget for food can seriously help curb your spending on junk food if grabbing fast food or ordering in is a real issue for you (speaking from experience here! This is my weak spot). Take out the amount of money you can spend on food at the beginning of the month and that’s it. You suddenly realize that if you want to stick on the budget you’ll be making yourself fried rice for lunch instead of grabbing a burger.

3. Stock up on healthy foods

To follow up with point number 2, keeping healthy foods that you enjoy in your house can help curb those cravings as well. I have a huge problem with motivation around cooking and working out–it’s so tempting to just order something in! But meal prepping on Sundays helps me have healthy options available and already cooked (or at least the hard parts done, like chopping and washing all the veggies and cooking the rice) makes it so much easier. It makes shelling out $30 for us to order in a lot more difficult when I could throw together a Teriyaki rice bowl in about 10 minutes with ingredients I already have in the house.

Explore recipes to find meals and snacks that you truly enjoy that are still healthy, and keep those in the house. It’s OK to eat the same things a lot, just find what works for you and stock up on it!

4. Schedule it in

It’s one thing to say “I’m going to work out more this year” and another to say, “I’m going to work out at 8:00 before work every morning, light cardio on Tuesdays and Thursdays and more intense HIIT and lifting workouts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”

This is one area where gyms with classes can be a huge help. Fit4Less has just launched a really cool virtual fitness program called MOVE123 where you can do workouts on your own time or go to a scheduled class (please note: not all clubs have virtual studios). They’ve got tons of classes to choose from, and for those of you who are like me, having someone tell you what to do can be extremely helpful.

5. Find a gym that works for you

When I was in university, my school had two gyms. One was a dank, dark one in the basement of the health science building, the other was a giant sports complex with floor-to-ceiling windows, approximately 10x the size of the other one.

I absolutely loved the dank, dark one.

See, even though the basement gym wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, and I much preferred the equipment and the look of the other gym, the people were so down-to-earth. I could go as the little gym rookie that I was and if my form was off, someone would just help me correct it. It wouldn’t be a big deal, I could just ask and they’d show me how to do it.

I’m very self-conscious when I work out, because I’m not the strongest one there, I don’t have the most defined muscles, and I don’t know what I’m doing half the time. But being in a gym environment where working out wasn’t a competition, but people were just happy I was showing up was a huge boost to my confidence.

What kinds of things are you looking for in a gym? Write down a few and bring those questions to the gyms you check out. Head over to your local Fit4Less gym and talk to them about what makes you feel at home in a gym to see if it’s a good fit for you!

What are some New Year’s Resolutions you’ve made for 2018? Let me know in the comments below and let’s cheer each other on!

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COMMENTS: 1 Comment TOPICS: Achieving Goals, Health

7 Things to Know BEFORE Starting Your First “Real” Job

29 Nov

Are you ready to start a career?

Sure, you have a degree, you have some basic work experience, but do you know how to set yourself up for success from the get-go?

I am SO excited to have Patty Moore on the blog today because, frankly, I have no idea what it’s like to work in the corporate world! I graduated university and started working online from home in a family business–so I know a lot about entrepreneurial work, but not a ton about jobs with benefits!

Patty’s got some great stuff for us today, and I hope this helps you start your first “real” job off right!

Here’s Patty!


When it comes down to starting your first ‘real’ job, there are a lot of things that no one really ever takes the time to tell you.

Jump starting your career after graduation is really fun and exciting, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming if you don’t really know the ins and outs of the working world. Side jobs during high school or college pale in comparison to your first actual job in the field that you worked so hard to get into while working on furthering your education.

With that in mind, there are seven things that I wish I knew before I started my first real job in the working world. Let’s take a closer look at these things, so that you may be able to start out on the right foot with the right knowledge.

1. Salary Negotiation is Key

The salary negotiation process with a potential employer can make a break a person’s career. While it may not seem like much, the difference of $5,000 in starting salary can make a huge difference over the lifetime of a career. While negotiations with salary are very important, and you don’t want to sell yourself short, negotiating benefits and other incentives with the employer is just as important. Brush up on those negotiation skills!

2. Ask about Student Loans Repayment Benefits

Speaking of benefits, student loan repayment benefits are offered by many employers and in increasing number. Sometimes, companies may not be up front with you about these benefits and their availability. Always ask a potential employer if they offer any sort of student loan repayment options for you to consider. If they do, definitely take advantage of it so that you can get those student loans paid off sooner. Many companies offer matching contributions, so every payment you make gets doubled.

7 things you NEED to know before starting your first job!

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7 Tips to start your first job well! | career advice, career tips, job tips, job hunting, business

3. The Importance of Flexibility and Adaptability

When you take that first step into the working world, it is really important to be flexible and adaptable in many situations. Flexibility is a strong point because the work force is always changing and growing, and you have to really be able to keep up and adapt to these changes if you want to be successful. The more flexible you are, the more valuable you may be to a company. On the flipside, the more flexible you are, the least likely you are to be sidelined by getting laid off by your company!

4. Networking Can Take You Further

While you may have a great skill set for a particular job opportunity, you may not always be recognized for just your skill sets. Networking can take things a step further for you. Consider making genuine connections with people that you come across in your personal and business life. The bigger your network, the more opportunities you may find. Your networking relationships will not just be one sided either, you may prove to be beneficial to someone else within your network.

5. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

I made the mistake of comparing myself to just about everyone that I was envious of in my workplace. This is wrong on so many levels because it really just makes you feel inferior, and that isn’t the right mindset for the workplace where teamwork is needed. There is nothing wrong with admiring a characteristic that someone possesses, but to compare yourself to them is only doing you an injustice. Open yourself up to your potential for greatness without comparing yourself to everyone else’s highlight reel!

Are you setting yourself up for success? Check out these 7 things that will skyrocket your career:

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6. Utilizing Retirement Benefits is a Must

Touching again briefly on benefits, taking advantage of retirement benefits offered by your employer is always a great idea. They may have options available such as 401K and other retirement plans. Whether you choose a traditional retirement savings account like the 401k or opt for something a bit more profitable and risky, make sure that you contribute regularly. Find out if your employer offers matching contributions. Just like the student loan repayment benefits, you can double the pace if a company offers this!

7. Bonus Tip for Student Debtors– Student Loan Consolidation and Refinancing Options

Another important factor you should consider after graduation is student loan consolidation and refinancing options that may be available to you. Federal consolidation loans are made available for debtors that wish to combine their loans, making it easier to cover their monthly payments. Private student loan refinancing is another potential option to consider; it offers the same baseline benefits of a federal loan and something else entirely. If done right, you can lower the interest rate on your loans, but you must be creditworthy in the eyes of the lender. Needless to say, if you can drop your interest rate, then you stand to save money!

Graduated with student loans? Here are some ways to get out of debt sooner!

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These are just a few of the things that I wish I knew before I started my first real job. If you are taking that first leap into the job force, then you may be happy to know these things ahead of time.

Patty Moore is a blogger who writes about careers, family, and personal finances. Follow Patty on Twitter @WorkMomLife!


Thanks, Patty!

What are some things you wish you knew before starting your first “real” job? What are some tips that have helped you? Share them in the comments below–let’s help each other out! 

7 Tips to start your first job well! | career advice, career tips, job tips, job hunting, business

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COMMENTS: Leave a Comment TOPICS: Achieving Goals

7 Reasons to resolve to EXERCISE, not LOSE WEIGHT in 2017

6 Jan

The first time I ever thought about losing weight I was 12 years old.

It was in a swimming class, when I realized that I was always paired with the only boy in the class because I was the strongest girl there, not as waif-like as the others. I’ve always been a strong person, and I’ve never been “skinny” like other girls. I was slender, but more athletic when I was 12-14. Then I discovered the internet and the athletic thing wore off, too. ;)

But since then, for years there was something in my New Year’s Resolutions about losing weight. Get more toned. Lose 5 pounds. Stop eating so much chocolate (yeah I never stood a chance on that one). [Read more…]

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COMMENTS: 2 Comments TOPICS: Achieving Goals, Health

How to Be More Creative in Your Everyday Life

6 Oct

When you’re in your early twenties it can be really hard to figure out how to be more creative on a regular basis.

It’s easy to get swept away into watching Netflix for hours, or going to work and coming home without ever really exercising your creative spirit.

But here on Life as a Dare we’re all about taking life to the next level–it’s not enough to just sit back and let life just zoom on by. And taking time to be creative is such an important part of that! There’s something about being creative that helps center you like nothing else can.

So today I am so excited to let Elizabeth from Incidents of a Literary Nature chat with us about how to be creative as a daily part of our lives!

Love these points! Here’s Elizabeth:

[Read more…]

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COMMENTS: 9 Comments TOPICS: Achieving Goals

7 Reasons You Should Take More Risks

27 Sep

Have you ever wanted to do something exciting, but were too scared about taking risks to actually do it?

This year is a really exciting year for me. I’ll be finished my undergrad in about two or three weeks, and I’m just working this year. But the exciting part is that I’m working completely online. I’m a virtual assistant for my mom, actually, and I’ll be working 20 hours a week on this blog.

So although it’s all very invigorating, a lot of this year is going to involve taking risks to help this business grow. I could be working a full-time job in an office here in Ottawa, but I’m choosing to do this instead.

And although I couldn’t be happier with the decisions, it’s all kind of scary to have uncertainty about where I’ll be in two or three years. 

[Read more…]

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COMMENTS: 9 Comments TOPICS: Achieving Goals

About Rebecca



Rebecca Danielle Lindenbach is a 21-year-old psych student living in Ottawa, Canada. Knitter, wife, guitar player, classic rock enthusiast.

This blog is to document the journey of a chronic worrier trying to living a life of simplicity, keeping her focus on what really matters. Read on for a satirical take on life from one millennial to another. Read more

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We are trying the 1000 hours outside and honestly We are trying the 1000 hours outside and honestly it’s going better than I thought it would. I don’t know if we are going to hit 1000 but we are giving it a good shot!!
Been thinking a lot about this and how it pertains Been thinking a lot about this and how it pertains to the incarnation lately. 

Being called to forgive 70x7 times doesn’t mean you have to let someone hurt you that many times.
The weather outside is frightful. But the sweate The weather outside is frightful. 

But the sweater I knit to procrastinate during college is ~so delightful.~

Everyone knows my mom knits, but it’s actually a family tradition at this point! My goal over the next 5 years is to have as much of my wardrobe be hand-made as possible. 😁
Her face when I get her after a nap will always be Her face when I get her after a nap will always be one of my favourite things.
Listening to Marina sing “Why be a wallflower wh Listening to Marina sing “Why be a wallflower when you could be  a Venus flytrap” and honestly it’s just my whole mood.
It’s my first national daughters day. ❤️ Na It’s my first national daughters day. ❤️

Naming my kids is a sacred thing to me, and Connor and I choose names to be prayers over our kids. 

Vivian Louise, may you grow into a lively and renowned warrior, standing your ground with courage as you fight for all things that bring life and goodness into this world. 

You bring so much joy and vivacity to our little family. We love you so much. Happy daughters day.
COVID, but make it ✨dramatic✨ In all serio COVID, but make it ✨dramatic✨ 
 
 In all seriousness I feel like crap but got an overall mild case. Yay for masking and vaccines. 👏🏼 and the kids are doing fine, too, thank goodness. Connor is feeling crappy but overall it seems to have hit our family with a mild case, but definitely still feeling very crummy.
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