I know it’s only April, but before you know it, it will be June and we will all start panicking about summer fitness. Now would be a great time to get going on your fitness and health regimens if you haven’t already done so.
Not only is summer approaching but wedding season is drawing near. If you’re getting married, then we are sure you want to get ready for your big day, and if you’re attending those weddings, then we’re sure you want to show up looking your best.
So whatever the occasion, summer, weddings, a holiday you have planned – let us help you get ready and get fit. Here are our top 10 tips for getting healthy and getting in shape.
1. Find a partner
No matter what activity you are doing, it is almost always more enjoyable to have company, especially when you’re exercising. Also, if you have another person motivating you and pushing you, you are more likely to keep going. Having a gym buddy or a friend to go running with is great because when you don’t feel up to it, they will be that voice in your ear telling you to go, and you can be the same for them!
2. Juice juice juice
A lot of people like to do juice cleanses where they cut out all other foods and only have juice for certain amounts of time. Personally, I find it healthier and more sustainable to juice once or twice a day without cutting out all of your meals completely. Perhaps instead of having a big breakfast in the morning you could do a juice containing ingredients like, apple, kale, spinach, lemon, and carrots. These nutrients will get you pumped for the day and it is healthier than having a breakfast loaded with dairy or carbs. You can save those carbs for lunch or dinner.
3. Gym Membership
Sometimes gym memberships can be a bit pricey, which is why people opt for other free activities. If you can afford it, a gym membership is a great motivator to get fit and healthy. Not only will you feel like you are wasting your money if you don’t go, but the people you meet at the gym and the folks who work there are great motivation as well. Don’t be intimidated by gyms, everyone there is working towards the same goal – getting healthier.
4. Make a workout plan
If you plan your workouts, you know you have set goals to reach. For instance if you set out to exercise for one hour every day for 3 days – write it down and turn those goals into a workout plan. Workout plans are great because you follow your own rules and aim to meet your own goals. Personal trainers tend to set you on a path that they have created for you. Instead, why not create your own plan and follow your own path.
5. Take your vitamins
Though it is true that the best form of nutrients come from your daily dose of fruits, veggies and proteins – some vitamins we just simply dont get enough of. In the winter for example, it is very important to take Vitamin D. Vitamin D is primarily optimal in the summer as it comes from the sun so we all lack that vitamin during the long winter. For those that don’t have enough fish in their diet, it is also beneficial to take an omega 3 vitamin daily. There’s a long list of vitamins we should all be taking. It’s best to speak to your doctor and find out what you are lacking most.
6. Outdoor activities
For those who aren’t interested in exercising indoors and want to enjoy the fresh air, outdoor activities are the best way to stay fit and active. Jogging, swimming, and cycling are some great options when the weather permits. If you feel you aren’t healthy enough to undertake such activities, even simple outdoor chores like gardening and mowing the lawn are healthy exercises as well.
7. Herbal tea
You may have seen a lot of people on Instagram or Twitter posting about different teas that help you lose weight. It’s true that some of them are a bit of a scam, but there are healthy teas to drink instead of caffeine filled drinks, that will keep you going and also help you lose weight. Different herbal teas help your body in different ways. For instance green tea can boost your metabolism and peppermint tea helps you ward off your cravings and keep you from snacking.
8. YouTube workout videos
Social media is all around us, on our phones, on our laptops, and even on our TVs now. One way to take advantage of this and use it to benefit your fitness, is to try out YouTube workout videos. There are tons of these online and the best part is they are free. There are various fitness channels on YouTube that offer entire series of videos by great instructors like Jillian Michaels and Shaun T.
9. Get a good nights sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important to being healthy. If you wake up and you have no energy, there is no way you are going to be interested in working out or juicing. You will go about your day being groggy, unhappy and eating whatever is convenient. Getting 6-9 hours of sleep is what we need according to the National Sleep Foundation. Go to bed early and you will be thankful the next day!
10. Plan your meals
Our lives can be so hectic that at the end of a long day, we are looking to eat the most convenient meals. This leads to fast food and unhealthy choices simply out of convenience. One way to overcome this would be plan your meals for the week. If you want to go a step further you could use one day on your weekend (Sunday) to cook a few meals for the week and freezing them. This way you have a fully cooked healthy meal waiting for you and all you have to do is heat it up when you get home.
Anything you can do to make yourself healthier, is a step in the right direction. It may be difficult to follow all of these tips but maybe we’ve helped you notice a couple. Here’s to good health!
By Nerissa Mohamed
messengersinternational.wordpress.com 