Are you getting serious about boosting your fitness level up a notch, but aren’t quite sure how to actually do it? We’ve got 6 tips to get you there, all of which are easy for anyone to do. The end result? It will help you to make fitness a regular part of your life!
Commit to a Mentality of ‘Moving More’
The average person doesn’t have the time to spend hours at the gym every day, and that’s ok! You can still burn calories and improve your fitness level by moving more throughout your day. Even if you’re sitting at your desk for 8 hours a day, you can take frequent breaks (walk around your office), or climb stairs instead of taking the elevator.
Find 3 Exercises You Love Doing
Fitness is important—but it’s hard to maintain when the mere act of exercising isn’t fun. Find three exercises you love to do, and incorporate at least one of them into your routine 1-2 times per week. Do you feel great after hot yoga? Cycling? CrossFit? Hip hop dance? Pilates?
Have a Cheat Day (But Make Moving a Part of It!)
Cheat days can be beneficial—as long as that one cheat day a week doesn’t slip into two, or three days a week! Know what your goals are (for example, to lose 1.5 lbs. a week, and to get to the gym 5-6 days a week), and don’t falter on your weekly routine. If your cheat day is every Sunday, don’t go crazy. Treat yourself to some self-care, such as a hot bubble bath, or a lunch out with your friends. One cheat meal is ok, but come Monday, get back to your disciplined routine!
Commit to a Buddy Workout
Often, starting a fitness routine isn’t the hard part; sticking to it week after week is. However, when you have a buddy (a friend, a co-worker, neighbor, spouse, etc.) who is motivating and encouraging and has similar fitness goals, you can get a surge of inspiration to keep going! Just opt for a buddy who can commit to working out with you at least twice a week.
Make a Health Tastes Good Checklist
When it comes to increasing your fitness, the physical act of ‘moving more’ and exercising is only part of it, eating well is a must, because the food you consume before and after your workout is what gives you the energy and strength to plow through your workouts! Unfortunately, many times we associate ‘healthy’ with deprivation. This simply isn’t true—you just need to find the nutrient-rich foods that YOU enjoy. Make a list of carbs (complex, not simple carbs), fruits, vegetables and whole grains that you enjoy. Then, once a week try a new recipe with a healthy food on your list.
Join a Gym—But Think Outside the Box
If you want to increase your fitness, you may need to join a gym (if you don’t already belong to one). A gym offers incredible benefits, such as all the equipment you need to strengthen and tone, a variety of classes to take, and the social aspect of other gym-goers who can keep you motivated and held accountable along the way! Once you discover what type of exercise you enjoy (for example, let’s say you really love CrossFit, Zumba or Yoga), you can mix up your fitness routine by getting an additional gym membership at a specialty gym such as a dance studio. Once a week, change up your routine and keep the fitness motivation going strong!
