Overcoming Roadblocks

June 20, 2022

Written By: Coach MJ


Roadblocks can happen in all areas of your life. We have reasons or obstacles that stand in the way of completing or starting various tasks we would like to do.

Your fitness journey is no different. And sometimes this is one of the easier things to push to the side. Finding time to exercise, be it at home or coming to a gym, often gets neglected or we tell ourselves we’ll get to it later and later never comes. 

If you think about it though, if we take some time to work on our physical health and fitness it gives us the strength and energy to do all the other tasks and work in our daily lives.


Here are some common roadblocks that we all may face at one time or another and potential ways to overcome them:

Lack of time – take a look at your weekly schedule and check out where there is space in the week that could be used for exercise time. Don’t have an hour? What about 30 minutes? Looking for the time allowance you have can help you find the space in your schedule that allows you to get out and get going!

Lack of habit – we know it takes time to build a habit and it may never be perfect but if we can build that routine to work for you it gets easier to stay in check. Setting an alarm, writing yourself a note and putting it where you will see it, writing it in your calendar or setting a regular time slot, are all ways to help build a habit.

Lack of information – ask questions! And remember no question is wrong; that is how we learn! Ask how and why if unsure about a movement or the programming. If we don’t like the program we are less likely to stick with it. Communicating with your coach is a key part of your success and questions are part of the learning process.

Lack of confidence – you are not alone! Starting something new or coming to a new place can be challenging. Working with your coach and letting them know when unsure can help you figure out what your concerns are and challenge them together to see what you can do is a positive way to build your confidence. You might surprise yourself when you try something new!

Lack of belonging – this is a big one to overcome if you feel you don’t belong in the gym for whatever reason…I’m not in shape, I’m too big, too skinny, I don’t know anybody, I don’t know what I’m doing. Maybe past experiences at other gyms that made you uncomfortable. Again speak with your coach to help answer any of the questions you may have if you are uncertain about anything that may cause you discomfort. Together you can work on a solution that will make you feel safe.


At Degree we always start with a Free No Sweat Intro to not only get to know you and find the right fit for you at our gym. This is also a time to get all your questions answered to help you feel comfortable and safe in our space. Roadblocks big or small are real to you and it is important to talk about them with your coach so they can help you work towards your goals in a place that makes you feel a part of the team in your fitness journey!

To get started or to find out more about Degree Fitness Seaforth contact Coach MJ at maryjane@degreefitnessseaforth to set up an appointment soon! Personal training times available!

What It Means to Be Fit

June 4, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna The media portrays fitness as looking a certain way and creating this picture of a “perfect person” who eats clean and works out everyday and does everything right and never messes up. When you're always being shown this version of fitness it’s easy to start to think, is this what being fit is? ..... And suddenly you find yourself comparing yourself to unrealistic standards. Fitness is much more than the shape of our body! It's about what your body can do for you and how it can support your daily life and how movement makes you feel strong, accomplished, proud, empowered! Here is how we can overcome the negative impact that some Media has on us, and fitness in general: Redefine Fitness Fitness is more than your body, it's strength, endurance, mobility, energy and how you feel. It's not supposed to be perfect or linear, your body will change and life will happen. What matters most is showing up for yourself and moving your body. Even a little bit can go a long way! Positive Self Talk You don't have to be perfect to love yourself. Be kind to your mind and speak to yourself with kindness. Remind yourself of what your body can do for you, remember you are WORTHY! :) Focusing On The Little Wins We often have such a heavy focus on how we look but what if it was never about how we looked but more about how we felt. Do you notice after you get in a workout or a session you always tend to have a lift in your mood and a shift in perspective. Movement has the power to make us feel strong and happy and more like ourselves! Do Movements You Enjoy Fitness should be fun and functional. You are more likely to stick to it if you enjoy it! Find movements that excite you. Like lifting, walking, running, dancing, gymnastics etc. When you focus on what your body can do and not what it looks like, you can start to see how strong and capable you really are! Set Goals Related To Movement-Mood-Function Movement - touching your toes or doing your first push-up Mood - Having more energy during the day and feeling less anxious Function - Carrying groceries, running around with your kids, etc. Remember - you are already enough! You don't need to look a certain way to be fit. You just need to move your body in a way you enjoy, take care of yourself and celebrate what your body does for you everyday! If you've been feeling stuck, or wanting to start working out with a Coach, or in an environment that is inclusive, inviting, safe, honours all body shapes and sizes, we can help! CLICK HERE to book a free meeting with one of our Coaches to learn how you can get started at Degree or, email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com .

10 Minute at Home Cardio Workout

May 25, 2025
Written By: Coach Sienna We know Cardio is good for your heart health but it is also good for our respiratory systems which help bring oxygen to fuel our muscles to do what they gotta do! By doing cardio we strengthen all of these components which help us live a happier healthy lifestyle! Your body is built to move and releases happy chemicals called endorphins from having an increased heart rate which can improve your mood. This can happen in just 10 minutes! We all know Cardio is an important part of our health but most of us just don’t have a lot of time due to kids, work, life etc. Just remember any movement is a good movement! No matter how long or short it may be. The little things add up (: Use this 10 minute at home cardio workout (no equipment needed!) to get your heart rate up and feeling your best even on the busiest days. 2 Rounds of 1 minute of Jumping Jacks 1 minute of High Knees 1 minute Air Squats or Jump Squat 1 minute of Burpees 1 minute of Mountain Climbers *Rest as needed but try to keep it 30s or less between movements! We understand life gets in the way and schedules can be tough - we are here to help! Let us know how it went! Email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com , or, visit www.degreefitnessseaforth.com/get-started to book your FREE No Sweat Intro to learn more!

What You Need to Know About Iron!

May 22, 2025
Written By: Mairead, Registered Dietitian You've probably heard of iron and know it's important. Maybe you've even had your levels checked through bloodwork! Iron is an important mineral in our diet. It is part of the blood cells that carry oxygen around our body, and plays roles in growth and the production of some hormones. The amount of iron you need varies. Men need less, while women need more due to blood loss during menstruation. This puts women at higher risk for low iron. The symptoms of low iron include feeling sluggish and fatigued, pale skin, and even hair loss! Women under 50 years old need 18mg of iron a day, while women over 50 and all men only need 8mg of iron daily. Many people can get enough iron through a varied and balanced diet. Iron is found in meat, poultry, fish, legumes, eggs, soy, and many grains and vegetables. Our bodies are better able to absorb iron from animal sources - this type of iron is referred to as "heme iron". Non-heme iron is found in plant sources and is harder for your body to absorb. If you rely on plant-based sources of iron, you may need to eat a lot more of it. Pairing iron sources with sources of vitamin C can also help increase absorption. If you suspect your iron levels are low, ask your doctor to check your levels through a blood test. If your iron level is low and you're already consuming enough through diet, you may need a supplement to increase your levels. Always check if you actually need an iron supplement before starting one! Iron plays some key roles in our bodies, and is important for overall health! Make sure you include a variety of sources daily to meet your body's needs! Looking for more personalized nutrition advice? Let's chat! Email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com for more information about our Nutrition Programs, or click HERE to book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!
More Posts