This week on the FITIV blog we are proud to highlight one of our FITIV Users: Jun Villanueva!
Our amazing FITIV User Jun Villanueva has experienced tremendous success in his health and fitness story through workout tracking with FITIV Pulse. His story is a great example of how you can leverage technology to help you succeed at your goals, whether you’re looking to lose weight or are just looking to optimize your performance. So, without further ado, here is Jun’s story!
What successes have you experienced in your fitness journey?
I’ve had success all around. Let’s start with the basic metrics, lost 15 lbs and reduced body fat from 19% to 15%. I increase my VO2 max by 34% and it’s noticeable! I can run for longer distances & time and my muscles will fatigue before my cardio does. I get better sleep, have energy all day, and generally in a better mood. I started working out (again), to lose weight. I have a busy schedule and time is precious. FITIV helped me maximize my workouts with their metric system (essentially active calories/min). I’ve since transitioned to training for performance rather than weight loss. Again, FITIV has been critical in helping me understand my ongoing stats while I’m working out.
Have you experienced any setbacks? How did you overcome them?
A recent cross country moved disrupted my workout routine. Not having a permanent residence gave me excuses not to show up for workouts. I overcame this in two ways, having an accountability buddy and putting my workouts into a calendar. I live by my calendar. Before the move, I didn’t need a calendar because my routine was the same every week. Now that my schedule varies from week-to-week, even day-to-day, I block time to workout. Also, carry a bag with spare gym clothes everywhere just in case I get free time.
Do you have any advice for people who are just getting started with fitness?
First, there is power in putting things into existence, i.e. write it down, whiteboard it, schedule it in your calendar. Putting it into existence give you the best chance for success. Second, share, share, share. Enroll others into what you’re up to and ask them to help you stay the course. Enroll others to join you. Enroll others to get something for themselves. They will give you the best motivation, tough love, and push you farther. Third, just show up, especially when you don’t want to. When you show up for that workout that you DIDN’T want to do is the greater than showing up when you’re motivated. Lastly, have gratitude. Be grateful for who you are, be grateful for those that have helped you along the way, be grateful while you workout. Be grateful to BE ALIVE.
FITIV’s Thoughts
We loved hearing From Jun, and his story really illustrates a lot of important things about adopting a healthy lifestyle. We love the advice he gives about creating a routine especially. Once of the biggest barriers to starting a new health and fitness routine is motivation. While it’s easy to start your journey with tons of motivation, it can get used up pretty quickly. Relying on your initial excitement is generally a plan to fail when it comes to fitness. That’s where routine can step in and give you the tools you need to keep going.
What advice we are taking from Jun’s journey:
- Craft an attitude of gratitude, and be grateful for your health and your ability to work out.
- Create a Community around your fitness lifestyle. Lean on your community when you need extra motivation.
- Just show up! We love this attitude, it is one of the most important pieces of fitness advices you can get. The only bad workout is one that never happened. Even the worst workouts are incredibly valuable.
- Create a workout routine as much as possible. Planning takes the guesswork out of the act of exercise. Advance planning keeps you accountable.
- Track your workouts and use that data to customize your workout routine according to your goals.
Want to submit your story to be featured on the FITIV Blog? Submit your story here!
