Weight loss or getting fit is not easy, but it can be achieved. First of all, it requires commitment and a lifestyle change. The first step of commencing a weight loss journey is your willingness to change. Our habits determine and shape our lives, and if we want to bring about change, we need to change our focus, set some goals and then take it one step – and one day – at a time.
Here are 8 habits to get you back in shape:
1 Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal. It is the first thing your stomach digests. If you fail to take breakfast, you will have sugar cravings, followed by unhealthy meals.
Weight loss leads to skin glow and healthy skin. If you start your day with a cup of coffee and want to enhance the health of your skin – and increase energy – during the day, you could add collagen to your coffee every morning.
2 Branching Out
Working out regularly is something our body actually craves! Diversification in your work-out will keep you from getting bored and allows you to learn new techniques and skills. New work-outs will also specifically target your personal problem areas, and are a great addition to your regular workout.
An easy hack to diversifying your work-out is introducing new exercises weekly, such as dancing, swimming, or hiking.
3 Drinking More Water
Water keeps the body hydrated and healthy. Researchers suggest eight glasses of water every day for a normal person, and extra glasses if you are working out. Working out drains moisture from your body; therefore, it is very important to drink enough water.
For people who do not like water, you could consider tea.
The best hack for attaining the maximum number of glasses of water is to have a jug of water near you throughout the day, so that you can easily refill your glass.
4 Sleeping Habits
Have a nighttime routine. Make sure you get enough sleep and develop a bed-time routine that will help your body ease into coming down from the day’s business and fall asleep. Night-time routines help in assuring a good night’s sleep, as well as achieving a fit body and becoming naturally beautiful.
Some people suggest that you avoid using your smartphone right before you go to sleep, and rather read for fifteen minutes.
5 Snacking
Many people are prone to mid-morning snacking or hunger. It is normal but avoid eating sweets and chips; instead, you can carry a healthy snack with you, such as almonds, hummus, and veggies. Creating a habit of snacking on healthy foods builds a healthy eating routine, and it reduces the urge to consume empty calories.
A life hack for snacking healthy meals is preparing a ‘compartment kit’ with different healthy meals. The kit should be portable. so that you can take it to work, on a road trip, as well as having it at home. Here are some great ideas to include in the kit:
· Pistachio nuts
· Dark chocolate
· Granola
· Granola bars that are homemade and have no sugar or artificial sweetener
· Trail mix
· Dried fruits, such as mango or blueberries
6 Prioritizing
Make a weekly schedule and include an hour for the gym every other day. A work-out routine helps in creating a normal and fit body. Workouts make you look and feel beautiful and confident, and consistency makes you feel proud of yourself, because you are accomplishing your goals. Exercising is not just vital to our health but also the only way to have a normal and fit female body. And it is sticking to a daily schedule that creates a healthy lifestyle change.
7 Cooking at Home
A healthy lifestyle change begins in the gym and in your kitchen. It may take some extra time to prepare, but homemade foods are delicious and allow you to substitute ingredients with healthier and less fattening ones. Preparing food yourself allows you to become more prudent with food choices, and you will know exactly what – and how much more healthy – you are eating.
Preparing and planning meals can become part of your daily schedule. Proper planning helps to increase productivity and decrease stress levels. It will make you feel good about and proud of yourself and will keep you from grabbing fast food and other intake of unnecessary calories.
8 So, what should a girl do to get and stay fit?
Many women share the same fitness tricks in order to get – and stay – fit and in shape … here are 20 things they do:
Regular workouts
According to certified trainers, a fit woman breaks sweat 5-6 days of the week. They mostly alternate dance cardio, resistance training, and running; they also do some exercises to build up their muscles.
Thoughtfulness about meals
The key to any fit woman’s success is preparation. Most stock their pantry or portable kit with ‘to-go snacks’ that are healthy and nutritious. For example, veggies, almond butter, Greek yogurt, avocados, gluten-free oats, and hummus.
Consuming a lot of protein
Protein is the best medicine for recovery and vital for building up muscles. Fit women will drink a protein smoothie in between 30 minutes of workout. Proteins also help to fend off food cravings.
Consuming high fiber carbs
If you love carbs, eat carbs with a high fiber content, such as pasta, rice, and bread.
Drinking ASAP in the morning
Always start out the morning with a glass of hot lemon water, or a cup of green tea, with maybe a taste of coconut. You can then choose to add a healthy breakfast, such as a banana, egg white, and gluten-free oat pancakes.
Front Loading their food
Many fitness experts have heavy meals during the day and fewer meals at night. Consider eating a more heavy breakfast and lunch, and less for dinner.
Eating carbs before working out and adding protein afterwards
Grab some carbs that do not cause any nausea while working out. After a workout, refuel with high-protein meals, like fish and protein shakes.
Eating regularly and snacking
Many fit women will make sure to always carry some healthy snacks. They do not wait to eat the next meal, but snack in between meals, should they get hungry or be delayed because of their work schedule. Some even snack every hour, which is perfectly fine, as long as these are healthy snacks.
Feeling free to consume unhealthy food when dining out
To keep from being tempted, a healthy woman’s kitchen won’t have any candies or cupcakes; instead, they choose to indulge when dining out or brunching with another person. When eating unhealthy food then, they take the opportunity to satisfy their cravings. And they can still feel good about themselves, because their ‘splurging’ is not a regular thing.
Deciding on their meal of choice before arriving at the restaurant
Always scan the restaurant menu while at home and see what they offer. That way, it will be much easier to identify and order a healthy meal, when you have arrived at the restaurant.
Moderate intake of alcohol
During week nights, leave that bottle of wine on the shelf – and maybe opt for lighter cocktails on weekends, like, for example, tequila soda.
Organized classes
Fit women swear by attending classes at the gym. They train their minds to know the time to attend a class and then give it all they have. Many times, they also take some classes with a personal trainer, in order to enhance and personalize their work-out.
Trying new things
To get back in shape and look more attractive, fit women are willing to try new workouts from time to time. This allows their muscles to adapt to new exercises, helps shape their figure, and is also a mental challenge that benefits their mind.
Working different body parts on different days
Fit women choose to work out different body parts when weight training. It is a great technique for muscle recovery and build-up, because it allows the sore part to rest and also prevents excess training.
Time management
When working out on their own, women who regularly work out, set a clock timer. They also make sure to take short breaks in between sets, in order to breathe – and have amore effective work-out.
They avoid messing with their cellphone while working out
It is very tempting to film your workout in this new world of social media influence. However, it does your body and soul good to sometimes put away the phone and concentrate on having a good and intensive workout. If you are a content creator, dedicate a specific time to shoot part of your workout, and then put the phone aside.
Using anything to workout
Whether you are a fitness enthusiast or not, it is very easy to use everything and anything for a work-out, even when you’re not at the gym. For instance, when you are at the grocery store, you can start to train your bicep by using the grocery bags, or hold your baby while doing squats.
Do not let busy days turn to rest days
On days that you are very busy and have no time to work out, eat healthy foods.
Do not rest on rest days
It might not sound very effective, but even rest days can be training days. Fit women will be running around the apartment or house, getting things done, and that also counts as exercise!
Do not freak out when you cannot work out
Mental health is equally important as physical health. If you cannot work out, do not feel guilty – instead choose that day to protect your mental health by spending quality time with your partner, friends, and family.
Some final questions you may ask yourself:
How can I get in shape at home?
To get fit at home is definitely another option … it’s also less expensive, and you will achieve the desired results, if you stick to your work-out! Fitness centers are quite expensive, and if you have a busy schedule, a home workout might be the best option for you. Remember, the most important thing is not where, but that you work out!
A home gym also does not require much effort; make sure you have some exercise bands, push-up bars, fit balls, and dumbbells.
What are the 5 elements of fitness?
· A warm-up – for example, a walk around the house, garden, or neighborhood; using a treadmill, or using a stationary bike.
· Cardiovascular workout – get your heart rate up, by walking, dancing, or pedaling faster, jumping rope, or doing anything that accelerates your heart rate.
· Resistance exercises – for instance, push-ups, abdominal crunches, and squats. For these exercises, you can incorporate small dumbbells, bands, or weights.
· Flexibility moves – for example, yoga and floor stretches.
· Cooldown – it is similar to warm-up. It is a cardiovascular exercise that brings the heart rate down into a resting state, by doing slow movements and stretching your limbs and body.
What should I do every day to stay fit?
Here are some tips for women working out at home:
· Challenge yourself and avoid boredom, by alternating and integrating new exercises regularly
· Try to find an exercise partner
· Schedule and have a plan to work out
· Journal to track your progress
· Set attainable goals
· Integrate working out into your daily activities
How do I become super fit?
Attaining a trainer will help you in getting super fit. It is quite expensive though, since you either have to be a member of a fitness center or hire a personal trainer.
Fact is, whether you work out at home or at a gym, being super fit requires a proper diet, a regular, very strict and intensive work-out, and sleeping more than eight hours a day.
The Bottom Line
Fitness goes together with health. Fitness enhances your beauty, inside and out. Workouts can happen at a fitness center or at home. Find what makes you happy and go for it! And remember to snack healthily and eat whole foods.