Hi! Welcome back to #FitFriday! I hope you are looking forward to Memorial Day weekend--I sure am. It's been a busy month and I am ready to spend some time outside enjoying the beautiful weather. This is the time of year when outdoor activities are high on the priority list. Being outside can make staying fit really simple and easy. Here are 10 top tips for having fun and staying fit:
1) Pay attention to your thoughts. Thoughts are powerful things. Do you encourage yourself with body positivity? A healthy change in mindset about your own body could be all you need to get your health on track.
2) Track your progress on a whiteboard. Metrics keep you accountable and studies show that those who track their progress are more successful in maintaining fitness goals.
3) Cut your coffee calories. Eliminate the cream and sugar and opt for rich dark roast instead. Skipping those empty calories adds up to a large calorie savings over time.
4) Do workouts you enjoy. Do you love yoga? Power walking? Jogging? HIIT? Find a form of movement and get out there and do what you enjoy. Perhaps you could incorporate miles of walking by getting an annual pass to a theme park near you, walk in the botanical gardens or hike nearby trails. Find what works for you and stick to a routine.
5) Find your why. Identify your deeper reason to get healthy other than the number on a scale. Do you want to be able to run after your children or grandchildren? How about being able to enjoy food without feeling guilty all the time? Staying in touch with a deeper reason can motivate you when things get tough. Also, activity helps to alleviate stress and anxiety. Studies show that daily exercise helps elevate a positive mental attitude.
6) Don't diet. Research proves that one of the very best fitness tips is to stop dieting. Instead, make lifestyle changes toward healthier foods, not a deprivation plan. Looking forward to delicious meals that are well balanced and healthy encourages a good attitude and helps maintain steady results.
7) Take recovery days. Studies prove that the body needs one to two days per week of active recovery. Rest days should be simple. Be sure to engage in something that's less intense than what you normally do. Take a restorative yoga class, engage in quiet meditation, take a bubble bath or enjoy a good book. The body needs constructive rest to maximize your workout efforts.
8) Follow the 80/20 rule. Most fitness experts recommend you eat healthy 80 percent of the time. Indulge occasionally, but make sure most of your choices are healthy.
9) Don't just focus on the scale. Find different ways to measure success other than stepping on the scale. Pay attention to the mental benefits of working out consistently. Enjoy the extra energy workouts provide to you. Think about the long term benefits and payoffs of exercise. Don't overwhelm yourself with an ideal weight goal--instead focus on two pounds at a time and celebrate every success with positive mental reinforcement & rewards.
10) Make a list of positive affirmations. Here are a few to get you started: I love to exercise. I want to live a healthy lifestyle. My body is getting healthier every day. I feel better every single day.
Check back next Friday for more tips and tricks for living a balanced life. See you soon! Warmly, Susan