From Dreading Tabata to Craving It: Your Fitness Questions Answered

Only have time for 3 workouts? Ashley shares how to structure them, reveals the surprising class she craves, and shares the moment everything clicked.

Listen to the episode here…

You Asked. I’m Answering.

You guys sent in some really great questions. And instead of giving you quick, surface-level answers, I wanted to take my time with these. Because these are the real questions people have when they’re starting or restarting their fitness routine.

So let’s get into it.

Three Workouts a Week: How to Get the Most From Your Time

Someone asked what they should do if they can only commit to three workouts per week. How do you structure that for maximum results?

Here’s what I’d do.

Choose workouts that hit your whole body. Don’t waste your limited time on programs that only work one or two muscle groups. You need full-body sessions.

That’s why I love low impact cardio and toning, plus Tabata. In those classes, we work everything. Every single body part gets attention. If I could only work out three times a week, I’d do two low impact cardio and toning sessions and one Tabata.

Now, maybe you can’t get to those specific classes. That’s fine. YouTube has tons of full-body workout videos. Some need no equipment. Some just need dumbbells. Some use resistance bands.

The key? Make sure at least one of your three workouts includes lifting. And before you roll your eyes, let me tell you why.

Why Weightlifting Actually Matters

I used to think dumbbells weren’t that important. Just another thing fitness people pushed for no real reason.

I was wrong.

When I started actually lifting weights regularly, I felt the difference. Your body responds to resistance training in ways that cardio alone just can’t replicate. You get stronger. Your metabolism changes. Your workouts improve across the board.

So if you’re only working out three times a week, make one of those sessions a strength day. Even if it’s just bodyweight exercises or light dumbbells. Do something that challenges your muscles.

My Current Training Week

Someone else asked what my typical week looks like right now.

Mondays I do Zumba and low impact cardio. Tuesdays are low impact cardio plus abs and booty work. Wednesdays are my rest days, but I mean active rest. I’m stretching and walking. Not sitting on the couch all day.

Thursdays I do Tabata and another stretch class. Fridays and Saturdays are Zumba and low impact cardio and toning again.

This week looks different because my favorite instructor has been covering extra classes. And yeah, I’ve been taking advantage of that. But the schedule I just described is my normal routine.

The Moment Everything Changed

Here’s a question I loved. How has your approach to fitness changed over the past few months, and what made you shift your thinking?

The honest answer? It was a lightbulb moment.

On July 14th, my instructor Rhonda said something to me. “Everyone is busy, but it’s a choice.”

I’d heard her say variations of that before. But for some reason, that day it clicked. I’d been working out off and on for over a year and a half at that point. Always finding reasons why I couldn’t fully commit. Always busy with something else.

But the truth was, I wasn’t doing what I needed to do to make the changes I wanted to make.

When Rhonda said that and it finally hit me, I heard it. Really heard it. And I made the decision right then to change.

That’s what shifted my thinking. I drew my line in the sand.

If You’re Thinking About Starting

If you’re considering starting a fitness routine, really examine your life first. Look at what your current life actually looks like. What’s going on? What’s taking up your time and energy?

Then make the decision. For yourself. Not for anyone else.

When you show up for yourself and commit to doing this for you, everything shifts. But here’s the thing. You have to keep making that decision over and over until it becomes a habit. Until it becomes something you just do without thinking about it.

Then you keep going.

The Biggest Mistake People Make

What’s the most common mistake you see people making when they first start their fitness routine?

Not committing.

If you say you’re going to start working out and then the very next day you don’t show up, you’re not all in. You haven’t actually committed.

I had to learn this about myself. Sure, I said I was going to work out. But until I got serious enough to put it in my calendar, to make a plan every single week, to actually show up every single week, I wasn’t really committed.

Some people will tell you the biggest mistake is going too hard too fast. And yeah, that can be a problem. But in my opinion, the bigger issue is people not actually committing in the first place.

If you’re serious, commit and show up. That’s it.

From Dreading It to Craving It

Someone asked what physical activity I used to dread but now actually look forward to.

Tabata.

I cannot believe I’m saying this. I used to absolutely dread Tabata. I didn’t understand why so many people said it was their favorite. It felt too intense. Too hard. Too much.

But now? I actually look forward to it.

One of the women I work out with explained why Tabata is her favorite. Because it works your whole body, she feels like she gets the most value out of her workout effort compared to any other class.

And I get that now. I really do.

Don’t get me wrong. Zumba is still my favorite. That’s the hill I’ll die on. I’ve loved Zumba forever. Even back when I lived in Tampa, it was always the class I tried to attend because I love to dance.

But in terms of actual physical training and real results? Tabata has become my go-to. I love that low impact cardio and toning includes some Tabata rounds too.

The fact that I now look forward to something I used to dread shows how much has changed.

The Twenty Pound Dumbbells

Last question. Someone asked when I’ll finally pick up those twenty-pound dumbbells that have been haunting me.

Here’s the truth. I am using the twenties occasionally now. I’m just not fully committed to using them every single time yet.

My goal is to be using the tens and twenties as my regular weights within the next month or so. Tens for my light weight. Twenties for my heavy.

But if I don’t feel strong enough, I won’t push it. There have been a couple of classes recently where I wasn’t feeling well and I went back down to the fives and tens. I just couldn’t handle the fifteens those days.

And apparently that’s normal. There will be days when you feel weaker. Days when the heavy weights just aren’t happening.

My plan is to be reaching for the tens and twenties by March. That’s my goal.

Why I’m Doing This

I don’t want these episodes to be too long. But I really appreciate you guys sending in questions. Thank you.

Keep sending them. I’d love to do more of these where I’m just being honest about what I’m experiencing and what I’m going through.

One thing I see too often with fitness podcasts is people just cramming information down your throat. All the reasons you need to be working out. And yes, those things are true.

But what inspires me? What gets me excited? Hearing real accounts of what people are actually going through.

When more people talk about the truth, the better. So thank you for these questions.