It’s easy to set fitness goals—losing ten pounds, completing a triathlon, getting abs of steel—but it’s a lot harder to reach them. When you’re struggling to find motivation or stress-eating pints of ice cream, you may abandon your goals in the rear-view mirror. I’ll get fit someday, you tell yourself.
However, there’s no better time than today. With an influx of online fitness classes and calorie-tracking watches, there are more tools than ever to get fit without the help of an expensive personal trainer.
Are you ready to reach your fitness goals? Here’s our guide to building habits that last in the long term.
Find a Form of Movement You Love
If you hate running, you’re not going to run six miles a day for weeks and months on end. It’s just not going to become a habit!
Rather than despairing, look for a form of movement you actually enjoy. There is more than one road to Valhalla.
Try out:
- Different forms of cardio – Running isn’t the only game in town. There’s always swimming, cycling, dance, and Zumba! Cycling is an excellent exercise for people who find running too tiring and going to the gym too boring. The longer and harder you ride, the more fitness benefits you can reap. If you want to make every ride count, consider investing in a cycling power meter, which are tools that can help you achieve your fitness goals.
- Breath-based movement – Small, focused muscular movements, as in Pilates, Tai Chi, and Oov classes, can help you get more in touch with your body and strengthen your core.
- Group-based activities – Do you get bored on your own? A team sport could what suits you best, an online cycling coach or you could get involved in a CrossFit community.
- Getting out in nature – If you need to breathe fresh air, ditch the gym for hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
When you find an exercise routine that you actually look forward to, you’re more likely to stay engaged. Regardless of the activity that ends up motivating you, remember to wear the right shoes especially if you have flat feet or weak ankles – the last thing you want to do is injure yourself once you find a workout you enjoy. It can even improve your emotional health!
Recover Faster
When you exercise, you expose your muscles to oxidative stress. As a result, they become inflamed, leading to that burning sensation that can persist for days. If this feeling lingers for too long, you won’t be able to stick to your exercise routine.
To avoid muscular inflammation, drink lots of water. In addition, CBD capsules are a great therapy. CBD helps clear post-exercise inflammation so that you can get back to the gym or trail sooner.
Eat Well
When it comes to improving your fitness, exercise is only half of the equation. As you start to work out more, you may find you’re actually hungrier, since your body needs calories to recover.
This is why you need a game-plant for eating wholesome foods that support your energy levels throughout the day.
If calorie-counting and fad diets have failed you in the past, try out the following basic diet:
- Eat a protein-rich This could be as simple as protein shake, or as elaborate as a lox omelet. Avoid sugary breakfast bars and carbohydrate-rich snacks. Add a fruit if you’d like.
- Eat a lunch with lean proteins and leafy greens. Combining tofu or fish with kale or broccoli can help to boost immunity and get your body prepared for a workout.
- Make sure you eat a well-rounded dinner. What does that include? Whole grains, protein, nutritious vegetables, and at least a little healthy fat.
For bonus points, skip dessert or stick to fresh fruit.
Celebrate Small Victories
To reach fitness goals, you need to stay consistent. One way to motivate yourself is indulging in a reward when you meet a mini goal. If you’ve lost three pounds, run your fastest mile, or achieved a new yoga pose, take the time to celebrate yourself!
We don’t recommend buying a pint of ice cream (although we won’t stop you). Instead, treat yourself to a healthy reward like a home spa day, a manicure, or even a new workout outfit. Then, set your next mini goal so you have something else to look forward to.
Love Your Body Throughout the Journey
It’s easy to become frustrated when our fitness isn’t where we want it to be. At the same time, it’s all about the journey, not the destination.
By nourishing your body, engaging in joyful movement, and treating yourself when you’ve achieved your goals, we hope you’ll develop more self-love.
Getting fit is great! But remember that injury, illness, and age can set us back on our own individual timelines. The more we can nurture ourselves through these periods, the happier we’ll be overall.
Need a little help getting back on track? Just keep this list of methods on-hand for reference!
Image Source: BigStock.com (Licensed)
Site Disclaimer
The Content in this post and on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on our Site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer by HII or any third party service provider to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments.
Nothing in this post or on this site constitutes professional and/or financial advice. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this post or on this site.
You recognize that when making investments, an investor may get back less than the amount invested. Information on past performance, where given, is not necessarily a guide to future performance.
Related Categories: Health, Reviews
