It’s that time of year again—the snow’s melting, the sun’s shining, and your thick sweaters are about to go into storage. It’s the perfect time to reignite your motivation and do something good for yourself by SPRINGING into something new with your fitness! Here are 10 simple tips to get you started:
1) Book a Physical
Did you know that only about 20 percent of Americans get an annual check-up? Be one of them! While you might look and feel just fine, it’s important to keep tabs on things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and vitamin deficiencies before designing your workout program.
2) Set a Schedule… but Be Realistic
If you haven’t been working out much this winter, don’t say you’ll exercise for 30-60 minutes a day, six days a week. You’ll only find yourself getting frustrated and will be more likely to give up. Start out a bit slower and work up to more aggressive goals. Post your exercise plan in places you’ll look frequently, like the calendar app on your smartphone or at your desk at work. Even better? Commit to a place that will put you into a workout routine – like Transform Fitness where the classes are scheduled and you can set your workout routine around them.
3) Team Up
You’re more likely to stick with your plan if you’ve got a partner! Choose someone who has similar goals and whose schedule fits with your own. Your best bet: Get together at the same time on set days a week, whether it’s before work or just before dinner.
4) Clean Out Your Pantry
Get rid of any leftover sweets that have been sitting around since the holidays or Valentine’s. Throw away other foods low in nutritional value, like chips, pretzels, sugary cereals, white breads and so on. Focus on WHOLE foods that come from nature – not from a factory.
5) Update Your Workout Wardrobe
Throw away your worn-out, boring, and sloppy workout clothes and replace them with new items in breathable, wick fabrics. Go for colors that will inspire you and find items that you FEEL GOOD in so that you want to wear them and you feel confident when you do!
6) Stay Hydrated
Help your body fight hunger, aid weight loss, improve your skin tone and avoid muscle cramping and fatigue by drinking two liters of water a day, and 17 ounces about two hours before exercising. Another general rule of thumb: The more you sweat, the more fluids you need to replace, so drink up after a vigorous workout. Be sure to use BPA free bottles!
7) Sign Up for a Race
Adding positive goals to your fitness routine will make you feel better and also give a purpose to your training. Look into local races—the 5K distance is perfect for beginners—and sign up with your fitness partner. It’s also a great way to get involved in your local fitness community!
8) Change Your Thinking
Instead of designing goals based purely on weight loss, concentrate on how you FEEL. If you are constantly checking the clock during your workout – chances are you need to find a workout or activity you actually enjoy. Exercise doesn’t need to feel like a horrible obligation or torture – it should be fun and worthwhile to you.
9) Step Off the Scale
The scale does NOT tell the truth about changes you are making with your workout efforts. Muscle is much more dense than than fat, so although you may look more toned, there’s a chance you might not be shedding pounds at the rate you’d expect. To get an accurate measure of your progress, use measuring tape once every two weeks to see where you’re trimming inches from your waist, hips, and other target areas.
10) Reward Yourself
Don’t forget to take care of your hard-worked body! A massage is the perfect way to pamper yourself, while alleviating toxins and speeding up muscle recovery.
Lindy Gault | Certified Fitness & Nutrition Coach & Owner of Transform Fitness Studio
Lindy is the owner of Transform Fitness Studios in Mahomet, a group fitness and training studio located on Commercial Drive. She is a graduate of Mahomet-Seymour High School and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Lindy has been a fitness professional since 2004. She holds certifications in 11 fitness formats as well as nutrition and personal training. Prior to opening her business in Mahomet, Lindy was the Director of Refinery health club in Champaign. She is also an online fitness coach who specializes in health & fitness coaching & training, leadership & business development, and is dedicated to inspiring others to change their lives through the power of personal development, faith, health, and fitness. You can find her online atwww.lindygault.com
For more great fitness and nutrition tips, follow Lindy on facebook or contact her to learn more about getting personal support to reach your goals.
