Summers are upon us, and it's the time of the year you crave a perfect silhouette because, obviously, everyone loves to show off a little. Staying in your best shape is not easy breezy for all; there are hormones, genes, age factor, stress, and not to forget inactivity.
One needs to stay on top of things to stay in perfect shape, and you know what, it's not always easy to follow a strict diet and exercise schedule!
What to do, then? Give in to your whims and do all the random stuff? That will mean destruction, to be honest! You need guidance on how to follow a lifestyle that will give you your ideal body, help you stay fit and healthy as well as stay motivated forever.
Here are 12 tips to help you stay in your best shape all the time.
12 Tips to Stay in the Best Shape of Your Life
Hitting the gym and nailing your diet is tough. Sometimes, a little help is all you need to stay on track. Check out these 12 simple steps to achieve your ideal body shape.
1. Take Off Slowly
Start slow and gradually increase your activity level. If you're new to exercise, start with simple activities like walking or swimming. As you become more fit, you can add more challenging workouts to your routine.
2. Set Realistic Goals and Reasons
Don't try to lose 20 pounds in two weeks or run a marathon if you've never even run before. Set small, achievable goals that you can gradually work up to, but do set a goal. It's imperative to have a tangible, readable, measurable goal in front of you.
Setting a goal transforms the objective into reality and increases one's resolve. You might want to run a marathon, attend an event later this month that you want to look your finest for, enter a competition, or simply get in shape. Select a date and make it your mission, write down your aim and start making plans for your actions steps, and you'll be on your way.
There's no better approach to reaching a long-term objective than having a well-thought-out "Why?" Is it because you'd want to get healthier? Reduce weight? Gaining muscle? Get stronger?
Whatever your motivation, make sure it is for your benefit, not others'. Next to your objective, write down a clear statement describing why you're doing this. Having a purpose for all of the strenuous efforts you'll be putting into your physical body will make achieving goals much simpler.
3. Find an Activity You Like
If you hate running, don't force yourself to do it just because you think it's the best way to lose weight. Find an exercise that you enjoy and make it part of your regular routine.
You may need to try many things to discover that there is, in fact, some physical activity you truly like. Hiring a personal trainer, taking different fitness classes at the gym, or even beginning a new sport you never thought you would enjoy might make getting in shape more enjoyable for you.
4. Fix Time for Exercise
It's important to schedule time for your workouts just like any other appointment. Exercise should be a priority in your life if you want to see results. Creating a schedule and sticking to it helps make it a habit. Habits are easy to maintain; you do not have to reason whether you want to repeat a habit or not. You do it instinctively.
So, make physical activity a habit so you will be doing it no matter what!
5. Find a Workout Buddy
A workout buddy can help you stay motivated and accountable. Choose someone who has similar goals to you, and make sure you're both committed to reaching those goals.
It becomes interesting too. Doing dreary things like exercise can lose charm fast; having a workout buddy can make it interesting and so you will keep on doing it for the fun of it even when you don’t really feel like it.
6. Join a Gym or Fitness Class
If working out at home isn't for you, consider joining a gym or taking a fitness class. This can give you access to new equipment and help you stay motivated by being around other people trying to get in shape.
Making buddies and being around like-minded people always helps. So does having an instructor who can help you when you feel frustrated or discouraged.
Related Article: How to Stay Motivated and Enthusiastic?
7. Invest in Some Quality Workout Gear and Equipment
Getting into the greatest form of your life can be free, or it may be pricey; it all depends on what your objective is. You could just need to invest some time and money.
You may need to buy workout wear, running shoes, a gym membership, or purchase a competition suit. Keep in mind that you're investing in yourself and make the decision that you respect yourself enough to put in the effort.
Having the right gear can make a big difference in your workouts. Make sure you have comfortable shoes, supportive sports bras, and breathable fabrics to help you stay cool and dry during your workouts.
You can also consider buying versatile gym equipment at home like DMoose adjustable dumbbells or kettlebells for a quick shot at weight training when you are too busy to attend your gym class.
8. Eat Healthy and Stay Hydrated
Exercise is important, but what you eat plays a big role in your overall fitness as well. Make sure you're eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to fuel your body and help you reach your fitness goals.
Drink plenty of water. It's important to stay hydrated before, during, and after your workouts. Drinking water will help your muscles recover and prevent becoming fatigued too easily.
This most basic nutrient has a wide range of health advantages, as you might expect. But it's also important because it's vital for one's health; water is the body's lifeblood, and staying hydrated is critical for every organ, cell, and system to function properly. Water makes up roughly 60% of our bodies' weight. It isn't surprising that women who are always in shape drink water constantly.
Related Article: Here’s How Hydration Supplements Supercharge Your Summer Workouts
9. Warm-Up and Cool Down Properly
Warming up and cooling down are essential for preventing injuries and improving your results. Make sure you take the time to warm up with some light cardio and dynamic stretching before starting your workout. Then, cool down with some easy cardio and static stretches
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10. Mix Up Your Workouts
Doing the same thing every day will quickly become boring and may even lead to quitting altogether. Change up your routine often to keep yourself challenged and motivated.
We are doing a lengthy and cumbersome task and we don't want to get bored doing the same thing over and over again. So add new exercises to your routine to stay interested.
11. Track Your Progress and Reward Your Success
Keeping a food diary, taking weekly photographs, and monitoring aspects such as body fat and weight are all good ideas. Weekly weighing yourself is not advised. The fact that we focus on the scale too much is one of the causes of our downfall. You expect the scale to go down when you're doing well, and it doesn't always happen.
If you consider your body fat and weight in terms of gaining lean mass, you'll be better off.
It may be challenging not to reward yourself with food treats for achievements you have made. Some better choices for rewards are things like new outfits, makeovers, mani/pedis, massages, spa days, vacations, or even something as small as a bubble bath every night.
12. Own It All
Shopping for food, planning meals, cooking meals, and scheduling exercise times may be a chore in and of itself. Keep in mind that this is your own venture and no one else's. You can't expect your significant other, family, or friends to comprehend how difficult it is to commit time and effort to something.
Don't get upset if someone isn't helpful; unless they're on the same fitness journey as you are, they won't understand what you're going through.
Remember, getting in shape takes time and effort, but it's worth it! These 12 tips will help you get on the path to the best shape of your life.
Conclusion
Getting in shape is a great goal to set for yourself. It's going to be a long and demanding process. You will need to stick to your goal and follow some serious advice to stay on track and reach the goal. By following these 12 tips, you'll be able to defeat cravings and stay persistent until you have achieved what you set out for. Just remember to be patient, stay motivated, and have fun!
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5 Most Important Tips to Start Your Fitness Journey
