As you get older and your body changes, you notice that many things are not the same as they use to be. Your metabolism slows down, you have gained some weight, your life feels so busy and you never have enough time. Here are some tips to help you find time to get and stay fit and lower the stress levels in your life.
- Set a realistic long-term goal. Set a goal that is attainable and that you really want to achieve. Set a realistic time period for you to reach it. If your goal is weight loss, plan on 1 to 2 pounds per week. Then set some short-term goal that you want to get to first. Even if you want to loose 100 pounds, that’s doable in a year, but make your first goal 10 pounds. If you fall off your plan, get back on it right away and keep going.
- Keep a daily log. Write down everything you do working toward your goal. Keep track of your food and exercise so you can see what foods you should not eat. Keep it with you all the time so you don’t forget to add something. Even if it’s bad, write it down.
- No negative thoughts. Negative thinking can get you to quit. Don’t let it happen. Even if you backslide, just say it’s over and go forward being positive, and never think you can’t do something.
- Schedule your time daily for your exercise. Whatever time of day you can fit in the time, make sure that you use that time to work toward your goal, no matter how you feel. You will feel better after.
- Get enough sleep. Many people feel they get by just fine on 5 to 6 hours of sleep, and they appear to function fine for years, but they are more tired from it and they are not allowing their muscles to build and recover properly. You should get 7 yours of sleep at least.
- Warm up before workouts. Injuring a muscle will have a negative affect on you reaching your goals. Just take 5 to 10 minutes to walk, stationary bike, or do a couple of sets of pushups to get ready to workout. Never stretch before your workout, stretching cold muscles is a great way to injure yourself.
- Vary your exercise. Change your weight training routine every month or so. Do different cardio to keep it interesting. There are many types that cardio that all give you benefits, change what you do to keep interested.
- Get an exercise partner. One of the best ways to stay motivated and not skip workouts is to exercise with someone else. You will be motivation for each other to not miss workouts, and you will also have someone to support what your doing.
- Read about fitness and healthy activities. Take a couple of minutes every day and go online and read something fitness related. It is great motivation and you will also learn something benificial every day. Even if you live in Minnesota where it gets cold, a 30 minute walk when its 0 degrees outside can be very invigorating and really give you a pickup for the rest of the day.
- Do something everyday working toward your goal. If for some reason you can’t do your workout, do something. Do a few sets of pushups, go for a 15-minute walk, etc; anything that you do is working toward your goal.
If you need a good gym to workout in Minnesota, here is a great link for you to find a gym near you to check out and get the best place to get fit.
If you follow these tips, you can’t fail. Once you reach your original goal, don’t stop, set another goal that may be totally different but fitness related. Make these things a part of your life that you just have to do. You can stay fit and healthy for the rest of your life by investing just 1/48th of your day, 30 minutes is all it takes.
Comments