With summer right around the corner, a lot of people are wanting to start eating better and working out, starting an overall healthy lifestyle, before summer and swimsuit season arrives. However, it is important to remember that fitness and a healthy lifestyle cannot happen overnight. It's okay if you slip up sometimes! It's okay to eat that cookie or skip a workout. The following are just a few tips that I feel have helped me along my own healthy lifestyle journey. Some of these you have probably heard of before, but I'm hoping you learn something from this post that might help you to reach your goals this summer.
Tip #1: Drink Lots of Water
I know what you're thinking. "Is she serious? I think we all know drinking water is important by now." But it is honestly such an important tip that makes a world of difference. Drinking a lot of water flushes out the toxins in your body and once you've been drinking more water for a while, you will start to notice your bloating decrease. Another benefit you will notice once you start drinking more water is an increase in energy. This increase in energy can result in more motivation for you to get some exercise which is a key component to a healthy lifestyle. In my own personal experience I have found that after I increased my water intake, and when I consistently consume more water, I feel more energetic and am more likely to workout, as well as I get full faster so I am less likely to over eat. You will also notice positive differences in different places such as your hair and skin.
Tip #2: Start Small and Start Simple
One reason many of us fail at starting our healthy lifestyles is, we try to make giant changes right away. If you're used to eating out all the time and eating super unhealthy, chances are that if you one day decide you're going to eat salads for 3 meals a day, after a few days you're going to fall back into your old ways of eating unhealthy. Instead, start with small and simple changes. For example, start with cutting down your fast food or eating out to a couple times a week, and each week cut it down to less and less times, until eventually its a rare occurrence or a treat to get fast food. Another small and simple change you can make in regards to eating at restaurants is to opt for a healthier choice instead. So instead of getting a Big Mac, a large fry and a coke, get just the burger and a water. Or, eat at a restaurant with healthier options like getting a pita or having a sit down meal. Another way to start small and start simple is with your exercise routine. If you're used to getting very little physical activity, and try to jump right into an intense workout routine and going to the gym 5 days a week, it is probably going to fail in a couple of weeks. Instead, try starting with going to the gym 2 or 3 days a week. Also, start just trying to get some form of physical activity as often as you can. Some small and simple examples of this could be, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going on a 30 minute walk at night instead of watching Netflix, walk to where you're going (if it is close enough), go for a bike ride with friends, do some squats and crunches while you watch TV at night, or put on your favourite playlist and dance around your room. By starting small and simple, and increasing as you go along your journey you are more likely to be successful.
Tip #3: Reward Yourself for Small Victories
By rewarding yourself for small victories, it encourages you to continue on your journey and motivates you to accomplish even more. Something I like to do is reward myself with a cheat day. Some people will agree with cheat days, however some people also really disagree with cheat days. Personally, I find that looking forward to a day where I can eat what I want and make more unhealthy choices. So if I am craving a big juicy fast food burger, I will look forward to that all week and use it as my motivation. If a cheat day isn't your style, look to a different type of reward. An example of a possible reward for your hard work could be, treating yourself to a new workout shirt, or a new lipstick after a successful week of eating healthy and getting some exercise almost every day. The choice is up to you, but a small reward might motivate you to keep going with your healthy lifestyle journey when it feels like it's easier to just give up.
Tip #4: Cute Workout Clothes
This tip might seem silly to some, but not only do I personally find this helps, a lot of people I have talked to about the subject also believe that this helps with motivation to hit the gym. So treat yourself to a cute workout outfit that you'll want to put on. This can also really help your confidence, and working out when you're confident will be a way better experience than working out if you were insecure in what you were wearing. Obviously you don't need expensive or cute workout clothes, however if it's going to help up your confidence and make you want to workout more, than go for it!
Tip #5: Remember It Won't Happen Overnight
This tip I can not stress enough. Progress takes time. Don't expect to go from eating fast food every night to eating salad and enjoying it. Don't expect to go from getting no exercise to hitting the gym 6 days a week. And most importantly, don't expect your goal body after a week of living a better lifestyle. It is going to take time. So be proud of the small victories and know that you will reach your goal. Remember your goal and keep pushing!
Disclaimer: All photos used were found on https://www.freeimages.com
