New Year New You!
It is the beginning of 2020. The gyms are filled with new members that are determined to make this year the year they take control of their fitness and get their bodies in the best possible shape. They are armed with the best workouts and the latest diets. They are locked and loaded and ready to go! Sadly, by the end of February most new year’s resolutions have already given up. Maybe they gave up because their focus was in the wrong place.
Bulging biceps, six-pack abs, and bikini bodies are nice, but fitness is so much more than that. It’s about feeling good and having energy. It’s about living a long healthy life and avoiding complicated health Issues. Age, for the most part, is just a number: There are old 30-year-olds, and there are young 70-year-olds. The difference between the two is health and fitness. You want a strong, healthy, and resilient body that can withstand the abuse of everyday life. You only have one life, and one body. You can’t go out and buy a new body like you can a new car. If you care about your life, your wellbeing, and being there for your family, then you better care about your health, and fitness!
Tips for getting started on a new year new you!
Sleep: Get 7-8 hours
1) Lack of sleep has been associated with increased stored body fat.
2) If you are tired, then you are less motivated and have less willpower. Get more sleep, so you have the energy to accomplish your goals.
Be active for at least 30 minutes a day.
Ride a bike or hike a trail. Take a fitness class. Walk 10,000 steps a day: don’t underestimate the power of walking.
If you weight train, keep it simple: Quality over quantity
Pick 3-5 exercises that include the whole body and do them 3 times a week. Focus on good form.
Diet: make small manageable changes
Think about your long-term results and building new healthy habits. Start with making changes like removing Soda, Fried foods, and Sugar from your diet. Vegetables are low in calories, and filling so maybe with each meal make 1/3rd of your plate veggies. These ideas combined with being more active will be a great start to making solids progress.
My Final thoughts
If you hate your fitness routine then you probably won’t stick to it, so do something that you enjoy. However, realize that any routine will probably be hard in the beginning until you get used to it. Once you start getting results and are making progress then be careful, because exercise can begin to be a serious addiction! You have been warned! Thank you for reading and have a fantastic fit new year and new you!