Ok guys, it’s time to run down my list of 10 tips for being your most fit and healthy. Use these tips to inspire you, and please share with anyone who needs a bit of inspiration too. You can do this and I believe in you. Here we go!
1. Get healthy and creative with your food. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to feel deprived or perpetually starved. There are tons of foods that are totally healthy and incredibly delicious. Open a healthy cookbook, check out the healthy food porn on Pinterest, shop at the farmer’s market or ask a local chef for healthy food recommendations. Healthy eating can be very yummy. You just need to get in the kitchen, get creative, and challenge yourself to try new foods and recipes.
2. Take a class. Stop being shy and sign up for that Zumba, spinning, or hip hop aerobics class. Classes are fun, a great way to break up the boredom of working out alone, and they’re a great way meet like-minded people.
3. Get fired up! If you’re excited about working out, you’ll do it. But if you’re nottoo thrilled about working out, it’ll get really easy to quit. Remember, first comes the mind, then comes the body. So get fired up and ready to put in work!
4. Find your fitness inspiration. It’s nice having someone you can look up to for inspiration. So find that person and use them to push you forward. One of my biggest inspirations is Jillian Michaels. Her body is sick, I can identify with her feistiness and I can tell she really cares. And yes, Jillian is a tough-as-nails chick and scares the heck out of some people. But she’s about the business (which I love) and her passion truly inspires me.
5. Get a workout buddy. Everyone needs friends and support, and working out will be so much more fun when you have someone to hit the gym with and someone to share salads with.
6. Be patient with yourself. As the saying goes, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ And whatever your goals are, You. Will. Get. There. I promise. The key is to just put in the work and give yourself time to get the results you want.
7. Let your vanity fuel you. Yes, you read that right. I said let your vanity fuel you. Remember, at the end of the day, these changes are for you. Because you want to look good and feel good. YOU are your greatest motivator. Always keep that in mind.
8. Dress for success. Dressing for success is about being practical. No one says you can’t wear a cute workout outfit. But don’t show up to the gym in clothes that are made for happy hour. Pick cute and sensible workout clothes. Don’t let your desire to look cute completely derail your ability to get down and dirty.
9. Don’t be self-conscious. This is a piggy back off of tip #8.To be quite honest, no one cares if your outfit doesn’t match or if you run the treadmill like a hamster on speed. It’s not a red carpet event, it’s the gym. You’re allowed to get sweaty, and dare I say, even look a bit crazy when you workout. So just be confident, stay focused on your goals, and don’t worry about what other people may or may not be thinking of you.
10. Focus on changing your entire lifestyle for the better. Every decision you make from here on out will move you closer to or farther away from success. Think about why you’re here. Was it because of poor food choices, a lack of exercise, or a combination of both? Whatever the reason, from here on out, you should be striving to adopt a healthier lifestyle. That said, if you have time to work out for 15 minutes, work out for 15 minutes. Hey, it’s better for you than lounging on the couch. And if it’s lunch time and you have a choice between eating at a healthy restaurant and a not so healthy one, make the healthy choice. Real results come from making better lifestyle choices. Every bit of effort made does add up to make a big difference!
What are your fitness goals? What fitness tips can you share with others? Post your tips in the comments and tweet me at @Dr_Phoenyx. Can’t wait to read what awesome tips you have to share! – Doc