With the new year just around the corner, and holiday craziness in full swing – it is more important than ever to rely on TRIED and TRUE healthy habits to keep you fit through the month of December. It can be overwhelming to start a new diet or exercise routine right in the middle of the busiest time of the year. So forget that! Just stick to the basic habits of healthy people…and you will stay fit during the holidays no problem.
1. Do Some Type of Exercise Every Day
Having consistent workout habits is one of the secrets of always fit people. The key is to get your mind and body used to doing some type of exercise every day. Creating this fitness habit means making exercise a part of your every day schedule. Whether a fitness class, neighborhood run, hike with friends, yoga hour or 45 minutes on the elliptical, the important is consistency.
2. Drink 3L of Water a Day
Drinking enough water to stay hydrated is super important to a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to drink around 3L of water a day to give your body what it needs to function optimally. Keep a water bottle with you at all times to drink throughout the day no matter what you are doing.
3. Avoid Workout Excuses
It can be so easy to skip your workout because you are too tired, too busy, too stressed or too whatever. Make it a point to have a NO TOLERANCE policy when it comes to workout excuses. Once your set your goals, tell yourself that some type of exercise will be done each day – no excuses allowed.
4. Eat Real Food
Dieting is not as important as having a healthy relationship with the types of food that are good for you. Eat clean foods as close to their natural form as possible, and lots of vegetables (earth’s super food) to stay healthy for life. You can watch calories to achieve weight loss – but always fit people know that you want to FUEL your body not just with the right amount of calories, but with QUALITY calories.
5. Focus on How You Want to Feel – No Obsessing About the Scale
Always fit people know that working out is more about FEELING good and less about looking good. So often we get obsessed with the number on the scale instead of enjoying the feeling of being strong, fast, fit and fearless in your exercise routine. Focus on the feeling and the number on the scale will take care of itself!
6. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is so important for staying healthy for life. Our bodies need rest in order to function optimally, and sleep deprivation can cause increased hunger, stress hormones and an overall run down feeling. Make sure you are getting enough sleep every night to help you stay fit and healthy.
7. Mix Up Your Workouts
Keep your workouts interesting and change in order to keep seeing results and avoid plateaus. Try doing 3 days a week of strength training, 2 days a week of cardio, one day of yoga or pilates and a day of walking or hiking. This variety will keep your body guessing, avoid overtraining and emphasize different skills on different days.
8. Practice Positive Self Talk
Half the battle is a mental one…and always fit people know this! You need to set positive goals, have a positive mindset, and say positive things to yourself in order to have the strength to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Avoid negative, or self deprecating thoughts that can discourage you and keep you from being your best self.
9. Find a Workout Buddy
We all work better with people to keep us accountable. Find a workout partner that will meet you at the gym, attend fitness classes with you and join your on a weekend hike. Fitness is so much more fun when friends are involved so find a workout buddy and improve your friendship while improving your fitness!
10. Don’t Wait for An Occasion To Get In Shape
Always fit people know that it is not about fitting into that cocktail dress for your brother’s wedding, or squeezing into your skinny jeans for your high school reunion – it is about being fit ALWAYS and for life for YOU and no-one else. Don’t wait for an occasion to remind you to get in shape, but recognize that life is about being healthy and fit so you can live every day to it’s fullest.
Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season. Stay tuned for news about our NEW 2016 fitness challenge coming soon! If you have any questions about healthy habits of always fit people leave them below for SummerGirl Fitness.
xoxo,
Your Personal Trainer
Marielle Collins