Long work days do something to us. Whether you spend your time working a desk job, running a construction company, meeting with clients or working non-stop as a stay-at-home parent — the tasks of the day can leave you feeling exhausted.

How many times have you sat waiting for 5:00 pm to roll around? It’s in those moments when your release radar may start firing signals that all point towards your favorite time of the day … happy hour.

There’s no question why restaurants and bars all over the country started adding happy hour. People have fallen in love with the idea of “relaxing and unwinding” from the work day over drinks and appetizers with friends. It’s enjoyable… it’s also easy to do. But, what if there’s a better way?

It All Starts With Why

When it comes to getting happy hour after work with friends or turning on Netflix and chilling out for the evening — it probably doesn’t take much to explain your motives. Those options may help you escape from the work day, release some stress or get your mind off of other things.

At Maximize Life Fitness And Nutrition, we believe every decision is influenced by a why. Every person who walks through the doors of our gym has a motive that brought them in. Some may be looking for a way to get back on track with a healthy lifestyle, and just need some accountability to help them along the way. Others may simply be doing it to socialize. Whatever the reason… there’s always a why.

 

REDEFINE YOUR HAPPY HOUR

Our team understands that work days can be tiring. We also understand that after a busy day, the last thing you may want to do is lace up your shoes and go hard at the gym. It happens to all of us. But, there’s a reason people make time to do it. It’s all about the end result. Redefining your happy hour with exercise will never leave you feeling guilty or second-guessing your decision.

 

Things you can avoid from a typical happy hour:

• Over-indulging in high caloric appetizers (fried foods, dips, bread, cheesy apps)
• Drinking a few too many alcoholic beverages that leave you with that “blah” feeling
• Being more tired and having less energy the next day

However, if you’re wanting to get a workout in AND grab drinks and apps with friends, there is a way to do both. You’ll want to make sure you drink plenty of water during your workout, eat something high in protein or carbohydrates post-workout (before having alcohol), and try choosing drinks that can be sipped and savored throughout the evening to help you consume less overall. Go for a glass of wine or vodka with club soda, if you want to stay on the “lighter” side. If you’re really disciplined, you can always sip on a non-alcoholic drink, like club soda and lime. When it comes to apps, consider a healthier option, like veggies and hummus, and avoid the fried foods. A little indulging won’t hurt, but you don’t want to reverse the hard work you just put in at the gym.

Be mindful and ask yourself, “is this going to help me reach my lifestyle goals?”

The reasons you have for choosing to go for happy hour with friends, could be the very same reasons you should consider hitting the gym as an alternative. And here’s why:

 

YOU CAN BE SOCIAL

If you’re worried about missing out on opportunities to be social with your friends, we can help you with that. Our culture at Maximize Life Fitness And Nutrition is all about getting people connected as a part of our community. One way we help build our Rapid Fit community is through Group Sessions.

Groups provide structure, help establish personal accountability, and encourage healthy lifestyles with a fun, upbeat experience.

Let’s face it, joining a class for the first time can be intimidating. It can also be a little scary to work out on your own. With that in mind, we do our best at Rapid to ensure that everyone feels comfortable, safe and a sense of belonging — regardless of their fitness level or experience.

Benefits of group sessions:

• Positive group environment
• Passionate + motivating coaches
• Adjustable to any fitness level
• Creates accountability

Group sessions are also a fun way to meet people, build new relationships, and get the motivation and support you need to set and reach your healthy lifestyle goals.

Right now, we’re running a deal for our group fitness program — a free 7-day trial!

 

RELIEVE STRESS

You’ve heard it before — “manage stress, before it manages you.” When it comes to relieving stress, you may choose to talk with a friend or family member, take a nap, snack on something, listen to music, go for a walk, or watch a movie. The list goes on…

At Maximize Life Fitness And Nutrition, we can’t talk enough about the benefits of exercising in regards to relieving stress. Our members constantly express how much better they feel after a great workout, especially after a stressful day at work. Putting their body through a strenuous workout is no longer something they dread, but is something they get to look forward to.

How exercise helps relieve stress:

• Releases endorphins (pain reliever)
• Decreases tension
• Improves sleep
• Increases energy

Keep in mind, the exercise part isn’t always easy, but it is always worth it.

As we like to say, “to make progress, you have to start somewhere.”

 

HAVE SOME FUN

Whoever said exercise couldn’t be fun, clearly hasn’t had an experience like the one you’ll find at Maximize Life Fitness And Nutrition. If there’s one thing we take seriously around here — it’s that we like to have a good time. Our personal trainers (and gym members) work to create a positive environment that’s full of life, energy and some extra motivation to push you closer to reaching your fitness goals.

Think about it this way, when you choose to attend a group session at Rapid Fit— you get to meet some new people AND improve your lifestyle. It’s a win, win… if you ask us!

 

MORE THAN A GYM

Maximize Life Fitness And Nutrition is more than a gym. It’s a place for people of all fitness levels and seasons of life to come in, get connected, be encouraged, have accountability and find motivation for healthy living.

If you’re interested in pursuing a healthy lifestyle, but you’re not sure where to start, Rapid Fit can help! Right now, we have our Help 1,000 Program going on. Our goal is to help 1,000 people set smart, effective fitness goals before the end of the year. And you can be one of them. Schedule a sit down with one of our trainers to talk through your fitness goals!