Stop hitting the pause button

321go • May 18, 2023

Sometimes I occasionally hear people talk about how they had to put a pause on exercising(and usually good eating habits) because they ran into a busy time. Whether it’s from going on a vacation, work-related, or perhaps overwhelmed from planning a family event.

There’s a problem with an approach like this.

Hitting the pause button is stopping you from reaching your fitness goals.

We all have our responsibilities and obligations on a weekly basis(some more than others of course). So your schedule will never settle down. By pausing you are building the skill of stopping.

What works for people is when you learn how to stay engaged with the plan even throughout times when you’re busy and or stressed… This doesn’t mean you have to be 100% all the time but instead staying consistent with just showing up and putting as much effort as you can into health and fitness. Below are three things to focus on if you are a person that struggles with staying on a fitness program.

  1. Time Management – Plan the day before at the minimum so you can block out your day to utilize as much of your day as possible. Plan everything as an appointment that is non-negotiable(meaning you aren’t allowed to negotiate with yourself to get yourself out of whatever you put in the schedule)
  2. Forget Perfection – If you think that by missing something it means you’re a failure then that will just reinforce a negative mindset that will sabotage all your results.
  3. Something is better than nothing – A lot of people are either “All in” or “All out”. Both are harmful habits because usually those kinds of approaches aren’t sustainable. The best approach is to try to be as consistent as possible, meaning if you have to do a quick workout instead of a regular workout then that’s a win. If you are going out to eat and there is only a salad as a healthy option then get that and get some of the other stuff. Just doing the best you can in the moment will set you up for long term success.

Do these three things and you’ll be surprised at how much progress you can make over time! As they say, Rome wasn’t built in one day. Take the little steps day by day to ensure long-term success with your fitness goals!

If you are having trouble staying on track, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

Coach Evan

 

recent posts

Beach Ready at 40+: Finding the Best Fitness Centers in Portland Maine for Sustainable Results

By Evan Amell • May 11, 2026
Let’s be real for a second. We live in Southern Maine. For about six months of the year, we’re essentially professional hibernators. We’ve perfected the art of layering flannel over hoodies, and our "beach body" is buried under several inches of down feathers and L.L. Bean wool. But then, it happens. The sun stays out past 5:00 PM. The ice on the Casco Bay starts to look less like a permanent fixture and more like a memory. Suddenly, the realization hits: Summer is coming. And with it, the dreaded transition from "comfortably bundled" to "distinctly exposed." If you’re over 40, that realization usually comes with a side of "Oh no, my knees," and "Wait, when did my metabolism decide to take a permanent vacation?" You start Googling fitness centers in Portland Maine , looking for a miracle. You’re bombarded with ads for 21-day shreds, juice cleanses that taste like grass clippings, and high-intensity boot camps led by 22-year-olds who think "recovery" is just something that happens while they sleep for four hours. Stop. Just... stop. 🛑  You’re not 22 anymore. And honestly? Thank goodness for that. You have wisdom, a career, maybe a family, and definitely better taste in music. You don't need a fad. You need a plan that actually works for the body you have now. You need sustainable results that don't involve living on kale and despair.

Summer Energy for Busy Parents: Why Portland Maine Fitness Classes Beat the Big Box Gyms

By Evan Amell • May 4, 2026
Let’s be honest for a second. It’s mid-April in Maine. The snow is (mostly) gone, the mud is drying up, and the realization is starting to sink in: summer is right around the corner. For most people, that means thinking about beach days and backyard BBQs. But for busy parents over 40? It means the "Summer Survival Mode" countdown has officially begun. If you’re a parent in Southern Maine, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Between the end-of-school-year chaos, sports schedules, and trying to figure out childcare for July, your own energy levels are probably sitting somewhere near "empty." You want to feel strong, you want to keep up with the kids on the trails at Bradbury Mountain, and you’d really like to head to Higgins Beach without feeling totally self-conscious. But then you look at your schedule. When are you supposed to find time for fitness in Portland Maine ? You might have tried the "Big Box Gym" route before. You know the ones, the massive warehouses filled with rows of treadmills and people wearing headphones, staring at screens, trying their best to ignore everyone else. Maybe you even have a dusty key tag on your keychain right now. I’m here to tell you: you’re not alone. And more importantly... there’s a better way.

The Ultimate Over-40 Summer Prep: Why Portland Maine Personal Trainers Are the Key

By Evan Amell • April 27, 2026
Let’s be real for a second. Somewhere between 35 and 45, the "check engine" light on the human body starts blinking. 🚨 You know the feeling. You wake up with a sore neck because you slept "wrong." You go to pick up a bag of mulch for the garden, and your lower back decides to lodge a formal protest. And now, with summer in Southern Maine right around the corner, that annual panic is starting to set in. The sun is finally hitting the Fore River, the trails at Bradbury Mountain are calling, and you’re thinking... “Am I actually ready for this?” If you’re over 40, "getting ready for summer" isn't just about fitting into a swimsuit (though, hey, that’s a nice perk). It’s about having the gas in the tank to hike up Tumbledown without your knees screaming. It’s about being able to toss a Frisbee on Higgins Beach without pulling a hamstring. It’s about longevity. The truth is, the way you trained in your 20s doesn't work anymore. You can’t just "grind" your way through a random HIIT class and hope for the best. You need a strategy. You need a pro. Specifically, you need the right personal trainers portland maine has to offer to help navigate the unique landscape of a 40+ body. At EA Fitness & Performance , we see it every day. You aren't "old", you’re just in a new chapter of your athletic life. And honestly? This chapter can be your strongest one yet.