Simplifying weight loss with one tip at a time!
Beginning a fitness journey can feel daunting and overwhelming. I think most of us would agree that we’d be open to trying any and all methods that could potentially make the process easier. The following 25 ways to get fit and stay motivated will prove invaluable to you along the way. While getting into the best shape of your life is not going to be easy, it will most definitely be worth it.
These tips and tricks will benefit every aspect of your life. From diet and exercise to lifestyle choices, these tips will help you build healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Keep in mind that making and maintaining progress requires consistent effort and focus. If you practice these habits every day, you can and will reach any goal that you set!
25 Ways to Get Fit and Stay Motivated
Plan and Prioritize
One of the most important ways to get fit and stay motivated is to commit to a specific fitness plan. This includes scheduling workouts (and actually following through with them). Also important are planning your meals, meal-prepping ahead of time, and getting your priorities straight! If you truly want to change, you must put in the effort.
Check out: 7-Day Healthy Living Plan for Beginners
Set Goals (Write Them Down)
Setting goals is a vital part of getting fit and maintaining motivation. Your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. goals, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Create detailed, short-term goals that can be achieved within 30 days. Make sure they’re actually obtainable and you’ll have something to work towards without overwhelming you. Don’t forget to write them down as a reminder of what you’re working towards!
Be a Rebel, Start on a Tuesday
There’s no time like the present to start getting healthy! Your healthy lifestyle doesn’t have to begin on a Monday or a new week. Start today, and reach your goals faster! Don’t put it off a minute longer.
Refresh Your Wardrobe
Yeah, you heard us right. Head on over to the mall and pick up some new yoga pants, workout tanks, and cross trainers! A fresh, cute wardrobe can be extremely motivating!
Check out: Best Affordable Activewear for Any Budget
Build a Fun Workout Playlist
The right tunes can turn a boring workout into an absolute blast! Fun, upbeat music can make you workout faster and harder. So turn it up and get to work!
Related: The Top 3 Workout Playlists You Need in Your Life
Create a Dream Board
A dream board can include things like motivational quotes, inspirational images, new workouts and recipes to try, or anything else that may motivate you. The purpose of a dream board is to act as a constant reminder of what you’re working towards so you’ll never give up!
Clean Out the Kitchen
We’re not talking about dusting and mopping: we’re talking about cleaning out your pantry and refrigerator. Removing foods that can tempt you – like cookies and ice cream – can go a long way to keeping you on track.
Choose Whole Foods
A safe and easy way to make sure you’re eating healthy food is to focus on eating mostly whole foods. These are foods that usually include just one ingredient, like meat, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. For a full list of whole foods, check out the Whole Foods Shopping List.
Drink More Water
Water is proven as an extremely important and useful weight loss tool. It will increase your metabolism and help remove waste products produced during weight loss.
Related: 10 Ways Drinking Water Can Help You Lose Weight
Drink Less of Everything Else
While water is wonderful for your health, other beverages – like soda and alcohol – can have adverse effects. If you want to lose weight, avoid soda (even the diet kind) and abstain from alcohol in order to avoid cravings and consuming excess calories.
Just Do It
There will be days where you try to talk yourself out of working out. We’ve all experienced that. Honestly, the hardest part is just getting up and going. Regardless of whether you feel like it or not, just do it. You’ll never regret a workout but you’ll always regret skipping one.
Put Your Shoes On
If you’re having one of those, “I don’t feel like it” days, just put your shoes on. While it is not a proven fact, putting your shoes on will almost always convince you to walk out of the front door. Once you step out of the house, you’ll usually feel way too guilty to go back inside.
Ease Into It
If your fitness journey is just beginning, don’t go too hard too fast. Overdoing it often leads to injury and failure. Start slow, and progress from there. Try some of these beginner routines and plans:
- 10 Home Workouts for Beginners
- Beginner’s Low-Intensity Cardio Workout Plan
- Running Program for Absolute Beginners
- 7-Day Weight Loss Workout Challenge for Beginners
Grab a Workout Partner
A workout buddy can not only convince you to hit the gym, but they can also push you to work harder once you get there! Doing it alone can be hard, but when a friend or family member is there to hold you accountable, you’re way more likely to succeed!
Practice Yoga
Getting fit isn’t just about changing your physical appearance. It also has a lot to do with your mental and emotional health. A yoga routine will improve flexibility and balance, clear your mind, and re-energize your spirit! It is an absolute must to getting fit and healthy!
Try: 10 Yoga Poses for Faster Weight Loss
Switch It Up
Performing the same old workout can get real old, real quick. Keep this from happening to you by switching up your routine every now and then! Don’t focus on just one form of training. Combine HIIT, weight lifting, various forms of cardio, and yoga for a fun and exciting exercise regimen!
Related: 28-Day Get Fit Workout Program
Do What You Love
While you shouldn’t just focus on one form of training, you can still do what you love! If you enjoy running, go for it! If you’re not a runner, choose a different form of exercise, like HIIT. When workouts are fun and you look forward to them, success is inevitable!
Sign up for a Challenge
If you need a little extra motivation, sign up for an obstacle race or a 5k! This will reduce the chances of slacking off because you’ll want to make good time in the race!
Prioritize Sleep
Sleep is an extremely important weight loss tool. Being well rested is not only important for maintaining a healthy diet, but it’s also crucial to getting in a great workout. Studies have found that getting at least 6 hours of sleep each night will reduce cravings, help you make healthier choices, and get a much better workout in the following day!
Related: How Sleep Affects Your Weight Loss
Set Aside YOU Time
You can use this time for reading, relaxing in the bath, or watching your favorite TV show. Taking some time for yourself –even if it’s just a couple of minutes – can go a long way when it comes to your mental health, focus, and motivation level!
Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
This can be a fatal flaw to your fitness routine. What someone else is doing or what they look like has nothing to do with you. If you let negative thoughts creep into your head, they will take you down. Instead of worrying about others, focus on yourself and what you’re doing! You’ll be healthier and happier because of it, trust me.
Reward Yourself
This is one of the best parts of a fitness journey. As you begin to reach your goals, you should reward yourself (in healthy ways, of course.) This means, when you lose 5 pounds, instead of going out and eating a cheat meal, buy yourself a new pair of shoes! When you hit the 20-pound mark, go out and get yourself a new bikini! At 50, plan a weekend getaway with your friends! Rewards will, without a doubt, keep you motivated to succeed!
Practice Positive Reinforcement
There will always be those days where you’re feeling down. Maybe you feel like your progress has stalled over the last week and nothing has changed. Instead of beating yourself up and putting yourself at risk of quitting, write down all of the things that you love about yourself. Perhaps you didn’t hit the 10-pound mark today, but you’ve lost 8 and you feel healthier! Maybe your skin has cleared up and your hair and nails feel healthier. Find the positive in things and keep on working!
Be Patient
Weight loss takes time. You didn’t put the weight on overnight, in a week, or even a month, so why would you lose it that quickly? Make healthy choices day in and day out, and the results will come. The time is going to pass anyway; make it count!
Hire a Coach
If all else fails, and you constantly find yourself slacking on your workouts (or diet), hiring a coach or trainer may be the way to go. They can help you with diet and exercise and work through any other issues that may be affecting your weight loss.
There you have it! The 25 ways to get fit and stay motivated! Obviously, the more of these that you can apply to your daily lifestyle, the better off you will be. Remember, consistency is the key to success. Work hard every day and reach your goals in a timely manner.
Which one of these do you find most helpful? Are there any tips that you want to share? Let us know in the comment section!
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