Staying physically fit and healthy is an important part of everyone’s daily lives. By keeping yourself active, you decrease your risk of countless adversary health conditions. Aside from the clear physical health benefits, exercise can also boost your mood thanks to those good ol’ endorphins we all need a little more of. However, the pursuit of your fitness goals is not about perfection – it’s about finding balance!
In today’s post, we’ll share our top tips for stepping into your power and becoming the healthiest, fittest version of yourself. This is a handy guide absolutely anybody can follow, regardless of age, and is guaranteed to have a positive impact on your life! We’re going to mainly focus on how to keep your body in good working order, and then also delve into the importance of mental fitness at the end, too. Time to make your fitness journey fun, healthy, and personalized!
The Body
Move Your Body
According to Health.com, we should all get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week, if possible. That roughly translates to about 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week. However, you can certainly do a little more than that, if you like. The key to establishing an exercise routine you look forward to is to focus on the activities you actually enjoy! Once you do that, you’ll wake up every day excited to get your workout on. Whether you’re a Pilates princess, a dedicated runner, a contemporary dancer, a soccer fanatic, or a pro kickboxer, there are tons of awesome sports that you can fall in love with. P.S.: you don’t have to stick to just one sport – we say the more passions, the merrier!
Eat Well
Fueling your body with healthy, non-processed, whole foods the majority of the time is optimal for your health and fitness. We emphasize that “majority” word pretty strongly, though, because of course you deserve a little sweet (or savory) treat every now and then! Make it your goal to try out new healthy recipes in the kitchen every week to ensure you don’t get bored of the monthly menu. You can even find ways to recreate healthier versions of your favorite treats to enjoy! If you’re not a cook, you can still opt for healthy to-go meals and order nutrient-dense dishes when you eat out. It’s also essential to hydrate with at least 3 liters of water a day to feel your best. To make hydration easier, why not personalize your very own reusable water bottle that you can take anywhere?
Stretch
While eating a healthy diet and partaking in regular exercise are probably the most well-known ways to keep fit, stretching is another important step in becoming the fittest version of yourself! So why should we stretch? Stretching is the best way to improve your flexibility and reduce your chances of muscle injury. It also boosts circulation, improves your posture, increases your joints’ range of motion, and releases tension held in the body, which in turn makes you feel more relaxed and calm. It’s a great, free way to relieve stress! Remember to start small, and then slowly build up your stretching routine difficulty as you progress. It’s generally recommended to strive for around 10 minutes of stretching at least 3 times a week, before and after your workout of choice.
Rest Up
We’ve discussed keeping active and stretching, but now it’s time to talk about the importance of resting, too! It’s vital that we take regular breaks from our workout regimes to allow our bodies sufficient recovery time, and to prevent burnout. While it’s ok to engage in a light form of exercise every day such as walking, if you’re doing anything hardcore like cardio or weight training, you need to take rest days. It’s advised to take at least one rest day every week. So, you heard us, we encourage you to get cozy on the couch with some snacks and binge-watch that new series you’ve been thinking about! Getting enough quality sleep is also an essential requirement in the journey to becoming your fittest self. Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night for adults. Establishing good sleep hygiene and a calming bedtime routine can help you reach your rest goals.
The Mind
Set Realistic Goals
When it comes to starting a new fitness journey, we can often get a little ahead of ourselves and set big goals that might be a little unrealistic. That’s why it’s best to start small, and allow yourself the appropriate amount of time to build up to those bigger goals. You don’t need to rush things – you have plenty of time!
Buddy Up
For some of us, working out with a buddy feels a lot easier than exercising alone. If you’re the type of person who feels more motivated to exercise when in a group class, with a personal trainer, or simply with another friend who is down for the same activity, go for it! Joining a class is also a great way to make new friends with similar interests as you.
Create Healthier Habits
Did you know that it takes, on average, around 66 days to build a new habit? Whether you want your new habit to be having breakfast every day, replacing a nightly unhealthy snack with a better option, having less screen time, or working out 4 times a week, with some time and determination, you can easily make these changes part of your daily routine. After a while, you’ll likely be wondering how you lived any other way!
Celebrate Your Wins
Last, but definitely not least, we want to emphasize how important it is to celebrate your wins! While becoming the fittest version of yourself, mark every milestone and smashed goal by giving yourself a pat on the back. Take time to look back on how far you’ve come, and give yourself credit where credit is due. You should be proud of yourself!
Well, that’s all for today! We hope you’re feeling inspired and ready to start the journey to becoming the best version of yourself possible, whatever that looks like to you. Whether that’s getting back in shape, or simply adding some new steps to your current regimen, it’s guaranteed that positive changes are on the way. If you’ve got any more tips on how to step into your health and fitness era, please share them in the comments!
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. Readers should consult a physician or certified medical practitioner in matters relating to health (including but not limited to medical issues, nutrition, allergies and/or fitness), and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.
Ella is a content specialist from Cork, Ireland. Her passions include spending time with her two energetic dogs, fashion, photography, and trying new vegan food!
