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If you've set big goals every January and watched them fade by March, this video shows a different way to approach the year. WarriorBabe co-founder Nikkiey Stott lays out her own plan for the year: losing 5 to 10 pounds, dropping 1 to 2% body fat, looking more toned and building endurance. She shares it step by step so you can build your own version.
She starts with a clear, realistic goal and an honest look at what's getting in the way. For her, that's inconsistent training. From there she splits the year into three phases: endurance with a slight deficit from January to March, staying lean at maintenance from April to September, and a small surplus to build muscle from October to December. For each phase she sets calories, protein, lifting days and cardio.
Then she covers how she'll track progress, using a seven-day scale average, weekly measurements, quarterly body scans and blood work. She finishes with her motto for the year, do, don't just dream, because a plan only works when you follow it day after day.
Key takeaways
- Set a clear, personal goal that is realistic and sustainable for you, and define what success looks like so you stay motivated.
- Identify what actually needs to change, whether that's inconsistent training, your eating habits or the food you keep at home.
- Break the year into phases so you focus on one goal at a time: Nikkiey uses endurance, then staying lean, then building muscle.
- In her first phase Nikkiey runs a slight deficit of about 100 calories a day with 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight to prevent muscle loss.
- For maintenance and building phases she sets protein at 1 gram per pound of ideal body weight, and adds a 200 to 300 calorie daily surplus only when the goal is gaining muscle.
- Weigh yourself daily and use a seven-day average to see your real weight trend instead of reacting to single days.
- Track chest, waist and hip measurements weekly, and consider a DEXA or InBody scan and blood work each quarter to check body composition and internal health.
- Execution is what changes your body: follow the plan day after day, adjust as needed and don't lose sight of the end goal.
Questions answered
How do I set a realistic fitness goal for the year?
Nikkiey recommends a goal that is personal, tailored to your needs, achievable and relevant, with a clear picture of what success looks like. Her own goal is to lose 5 to 10 pounds and 1 to 2% body fat while getting stronger and building endurance.
How can I split my fitness year into phases?
Nikkiey splits her year into three phases: January to March for endurance while maintaining muscle and body fat, April to September for staying lean at maintenance calories, and October to December for gaining muscle with a slight calorie surplus.
How much protein does Nikkiey eat in each phase?
In her slight-deficit phase she aims for 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight to prevent muscle loss. In her maintenance and muscle-building phases she eats 1 gram per pound of ideal body weight.
How big a calorie surplus does Nikkiey use to build muscle?
In her muscle-building phase she plans a slight surplus of 200 to 300 calories a day, with an emphasis on quality muscle-building foods, and increases her lifting to four times a week.
What is the best way to track progress besides the scale?
Nikkiey weighs herself daily and uses a seven-day average, and she also tracks chest, waist and hip measurements weekly. She plans a DEXA or InBody scan every quarter for body fat percentage and quarterly blood work for her internal health.
Full transcript
Nikkiey: Are you ready to revolutionize your fitness journey in 2024? Join me as I share my ultimate transformation plan, a blueprint for shedding pounds, slicing body fat and skyrocketing endurance. Let's dive into a year of change, challenge and triumphant successes. This isn't just another fitness routine, it's a life-altering adventure. If you're looking to lose weight, gain muscle or just improve your overall fitness, this video is for you.
I'm going to take you through my personal strategy, a year-long journey where I'll focus on losing 5 to 10 pounds and reducing my body fat 1 to 2%. This isn't just about achieving a more toned look, it's about increasing my endurance and enhancing my overall health. I'll break down each step, from setting goals to executing the plan, and share insights on nutrition, workouts and tracking progress. Let's dive in.
In step one, setting my destination is crucial. My aim is to lose 5 to 10 pounds and reduce my body fat 1 to 2%, since I'm already pretty lean. But it's more than just numbers, it's about feeling stronger and improving my physical capabilities. I want to focus on having a more toned look, but also ensure that I keep increasing my endurance. This goal is personal and tailored to my needs, ensuring it's achievable and relevant. It's important to have a clear vision of what success looks like to stay motivated and focused. For anyone following along, I encourage you to set your own goals, keeping in mind what's realistic and sustainable for you.
Step two requires bringing awareness to what needs to change. In my case, I've noticed a lack of consistency in my monthly training. My workout sessions are irregular and not hitting a set number of days per week. This inconsistency is a barrier to reaching my goals. For others, it might be dietary habits or lifestyle choices. Some might need to reconsider the food that they keep at home, opting for healthier options that support their fat loss goals. It's about identifying these personal challenges and making a conscious effort to change them. This step is crucial for laying a solid foundation for the rest of your journey.
In step three, planning out the year is key to achieving my goals. So I've broken down the year into three distinct phases. In phase one, from January to March, my focus will be improving my endurance while maintaining my current muscle mass and my body fat levels. This phase is crucial for setting the tone for the rest of the year. It's about building a strong base and preparing my body for the upcoming phases. So I'll be incorporating a mix of cardiovascular and strength training, focusing on building stamina and preserving muscle.
Then moving into phase two, this will be from April to September. My objective will be to stay lean while keeping my muscle mass intact. This phase will require a different approach to nutrition and training. I'll need to be mindful of calorie intake and ensure my workouts are effectively maintaining my muscle mass. This period is also about fine-tuning my routine based on the progress that I've made so far.
And finally, phase three, from October to December, will be all about gaining muscle. This is the time to ramp up my strength training and slightly increase my calorie intake. It's crucial to strike a balance between pushing my limits in the gym and ensuring adequate recovery here. This phase is not just about physical growth, but also understanding my body's response to different training and nutritional strategies.
This year-long phased approach allows me to focus on specific goals at different times, making my plan more manageable and effective. It's about understanding that body transformation is a journey that requires patience, dedication and a well-structured plan.
Step four is about fine-tuning the specifics for each phase. So in phase one, my nutrition will focus on a slight calorie deficit of about 100 calories a day. I'll be aiming to consume 1.2 grams of protein per pound of body weight to prevent muscle loss here. This high-protein diet will be crucial for supporting my endurance training and for my muscle maintenance. For workouts, I plan to hit the gym three times a week, focusing on a blend of strength training and endurance training. So cardio here will be a significant part of this phase, with three running sessions per week covering about three to four miles each.
In phase two, I'll adjust my nutrition to maintenance calories, ensuring I'm fueling my body adequately without gaining unwanted body fat. Protein intake here will be adjusted to one gram per pound of ideal body weight, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass. My workout frequency will remain the same, but the intensity and type of exercises may vary to focus more on muscle retention. For cardio, I'll switch to walking 10,000 steps a day and occasionally running a total of five to six miles per week.
Phase three's nutrition will involve a slight calorie surplus of 200 to 300 calories a day, with an emphasis on quality muscle-building foods. So protein intake will continue to be at one gram per pound of ideal body weight. My workout frequency here will increase to four times a week, adding more volume and intensity to promote muscle growth. Cardio will be more about active recovery, focusing on hitting a daily goal of 10,000 steps a day.
This detailed approach to nutrition, workouts and cardio for each phase ensures that my body gets exactly what it needs to progress towards my goals. It's a balanced strategy that considers all aspects of fitness and wellness.
In step five, tracking my progress is vital for staying on course. I'll be stepping on the scale every day and using a seven-day average to understand my real weight, mainly during phase one. This approach helps with noticing trends and making necessary adjustments. I'll also be tracking my chest, waist and hip measurements weekly, as those are good indicators of changes in body composition. Furthermore, I plan to use a DEXA or an InBody scan quarterly to monitor my body fat percentage, ensuring that I'm on track with my fat loss goals and muscle gain goals. Regular blood work every quarter will also provide insights into my internal health, making sure that my diet and exercise routine are not only making me look better, but also improving my overall health. This comprehensive tracking strategy is about more than just numbers. It's about understanding and responding to my body's needs.
The final step here is all about execution. It's one thing to plan, but another to act on it. My motto for this upcoming year is do, don't just dream. It means putting in the work day after day, consistently following the plan I've set out for myself. Goals like mine aren't achieved through wishful thinking or occasional effort. They demand dedication and discipline. Every workout, every meal, every step count, it's about creating a routine and sticking to it, adjusting as needed, but never losing sight of the end goal. This execution phase is where the real transformation happens, both physically and mentally. It's about proving to myself that I can achieve what I set out to do, and inspiring others to do the same.
As we wrap up this video, it's important to remember that transforming your body is a journey that encompasses more than just physical change. It's about developing a stronger, more disciplined mindset. It's about learning and growing, understanding your body and pushing beyond your perceived limits. Throughout this year, I'll be sharing my progress, challenges and insights, hoping to inspire and motivate you on your own journey. Whether your goal is to lose weight, to lose fat, to gain muscle or improve your fitness, the key is to start, stay consistent and keep pushing forward. Let's make 2024 a year of transformation and growth.
And if you're ready to make 2024 your year of transformation, if you need help achieving your goals or want a more personalized plan like the one in this video, check out WarriorBabe. Our VIP coaching program offers one-on-one coaching tailored to your unique journey. Don't just dream it. Achieve it with WarriorBabe. Join us now through the links below, and let's make this year your most successful one yet. Thank you.
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