Fit and Fabulous: Tips for a Healthier You
Are you looking to get fit, but don’t know where to start? Are you trying to eat healthier and need some ideas that work for you? Getting into shape doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. In fact, there are plenty of ways that both newbies and longtime fitness enthusiasts can improve their health and wellness without spending a lot of money or dedicating hours each week at the gym. Here are some tips that will help with your journey toward being more fit and fabulous!
Eat breakfast
- The importance of eating a healthy breakfast is well established. But if you’re not a morning person or just don’t have time in your busy schedule, it can be difficult to get yourself into the habit of sitting down at 7 AM with a bowl of oatmeal or whatever else you prefer. It’s worth it though–studies show that people who eat breakfast are more likely to lose weight and maintain their weight loss over time than those who skip it altogether. Plus, eating something small first thing means you’ll be less likely to overeat later in the day when hunger strikes again.
- What should I eat? You don’t need any special foods or supplements. Just make sure whatever choices you do make include whole grains like oats or whole wheat bread with proteins thrown in for good measure.
Drink more water
- How much water should you drink?
Drinking enough water is an important part of your daily health, but how do you know if you’re drinking enough? The general recommendation is eight 8-ounce glasses each day and if you are following any weight loss diet plan then drinking water will help you detox your body and achieve your goal. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually not that hard to get in all at once! For example:
- You can fill up two tall water bottles early in the morning and sip on them throughout the day.
- Drink one bottle of water when eating lunch or dinner (or both). If this seems too much at first, try starting with half a bottle instead–but keep increasing it until eventually reaching full-size bottles. And remember that coffee, tea and other beverages count toward your fluid intake as well!
Strength training can help you get and stay strong
It’s especially important to strength train if your goal is to lose weight, improve your posture or flexibility and sports performance.
Strength training is a form of physical exercise that uses resistance to build muscles, increase strength and improve overall health. This type of exercise is also called weightlifting or resistance training because it uses weights (such as barbells) as well as other forms of resistance such as bands or bodyweight exercises like push-ups. Also, strength training increases bone density which helps prevent osteoporosis later in life by increasing muscle mass and reducing fat mass at the same time!
Strength training can actually make you more flexible
Flexibility is not just about stretching, it’s also about strengthening and toning the muscles that support your joints. Strengthening those muscles increases their ability to stretch without injury, which means better range of motion–and that includes flexibility! If you’re new to strength training or just want some guidance on how to get started, find a gym, fitness club, or even your medical advisor.
Diet
- Your diet is a critical part of your health.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein sources such as chicken or fish. You should also limit your intake of saturated fats (found in red meat) and trans fats (found in processed foods).
- Eat smaller portions more frequently during the day rather than large meals at night so that you feel satisfied without overeating. Skipping meals makes it harder for your body to burn calories effectively because it’s not getting enough fuel from food – which means you’ll end up storing more fat instead of burning it off!
- Don’t forget breakfast – studies show that people who eat breakfast weigh less than those who skip this important mealtime ritual!
Sleep
Sleep is vital to your health and well-being. A good night’s sleep helps you feel more alert and energized during the day, while poor sleep can cause fatigue and make it difficult to concentrate.
The National Institutes of Health recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. But, this recommendation varies depending on age, gender and other factors such as stress levels or medical conditions. If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, talk with your doctor about possible causes–and what steps you might take to improve matters.
Set realistic goals for yourself
- Don’t set yourself up for failure. If you’re trying to lose 50 pounds, don’t expect to do it overnight. Make small goals and celebrate them along the way–even if they’re just as simple as drinking more water or going on a walk every day.
- Don’t set goals that are too ambitious or easy. If you’re trying to gain muscle mass, don’t start off with lifting weights three times per week; instead, try adding one extra session each week until your body is ready for more challenging workouts (and this may take several months). On the other hand, if you want a better sense of balance in your life but don’t have any specific areas where improvement would benefit you most (like sleeping habits), consider setting general goals such as getting eight hours of sleep each night instead of focusing on improving something specific like sleeping less than seven hours per night!
Reward yourself
Best of all, reward yourself when you meet your goals, but don’t use food as a reward.
- For example, reward yourself with a massage, a movie or a trip to the spa.
- Or, reward yourself with a new outfit, pair of shoes or piece of jewelry.
- Or, if you can, reward yourself with time off from work or school, whether it’s one day or an entire week.
Get more fit and stay more healthy with help from these tips
- Realistic goals are key. Don’t expect to be perfect, but do strive to be your best self.
- Don’t get discouraged if you slip up or fall off the wagon. It happens! Just keep on truckin’ and make sure that next time is better than this time–and if it isn’t, there’s always another chance down the line!
- Ask for help when it comes to sticking with your health plan and getting fit: Your friends can provide emotional support; your doctor may have suggestions about how much exercise is right for someone in your condition; and trainers are great at helping people figure out how best to work out (and stay motivated).
Being fit and fabulous is something you can accomplish
The first step to becoming fit and fabulous is believing that you can do it. It’s a journey, not a destination. There will be ups and downs along the way, but if your heart is in the right place and you stick with it, then healthiness and happiness are sure to follow!
Being healthy, fit, and fabulous isn’t just about your physical appearance–it also affects how strong (or weak) your mind feels as well. When we eat right and exercise regularly, we have more energy throughout the day which allows us to do more things than if we were unhealthy or obese; our mental state benefits from this too because the body produces endorphins during exercise which makes people feel happy after they are done working out their bodies.