Today’s author is a dear friend, a top-notch trainer who developed FierceFIT. I really like her fitness philosophy, which is similar to what we advocate at DIY Active. Here are her exercise tips to help you take your fitness to the next level!

Women often juggle many roles every day—mother, wife, aunt, caregiver, best friend. With so much going on, our health and fitness sometimes get neglected. This is common because women tend to prioritize others’ needs before their own.

I love helping women create personalized weight loss programs that fit their daily routines. Here are five tips to become the FierceFIT version of yourself:

1. You are the most important person. If you’re not at your best, it’s hard for those around you to be their best. Remember, it’s okay to be a little selfish and carve out time for yourself each day.

2. Plan your workouts ahead of time and try to include at least 20 minutes of activity on the other days of the week. Your workout shouldn’t leave you feeling dreadful or exhausted. It should energize you and make you feel ready to tackle the day.

3. Consistency is crucial. Regularly stimulating your muscles and making healthy choices will lead to great results.

4. Don’t be overly focused on the scale. Your weight can fluctuate for many reasons that aren’t related to fat and muscle. Instead, gauge your progress by how you feel, look, and fit into your clothes.

5. Find a deeper reason for exercising beyond just losing weight. Whether it’s fitting into a dress, being active with your grandchildren, or performing better at a sport, having a clear goal helps keep you motivated.

Setting realistic fitness goals is important. Instead of aiming to hit the gym every night, commit to something achievable like going three days a week. If something comes up, adjust your schedule but keep your goals realistic.

Also, look at what you do outside of the gym. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating well, and limiting fast food. Be a healthy role model for your kids by making nutritious choices and avoiding treats like fast food as a reward.

Money shouldn’t be an obstacle to living a healthier lifestyle. You might need to adjust your budget priorities, but investing in healthier food and perhaps a personal trainer can lead to long-term benefits. Just like you seek experts for your finances or health, it’s worthwhile to invest in your fitness.

To become FierceFIT, you need to decide, commit, and succeed.