Summer is just around the corner. Here are some tips to help you physically prepare!
Summer is just about here, and we all know what that means: it’s time to get in shape! But getting in shape can be easier said than done. In fact, we’re not afraid to admit we’ve set goals early in the year, only for those goals to have fallen through by time the summer months roll around. So no, it’s not easy, but there are a few keys to getting into that summer state of mind and body. Here are a few things you can do to reach your goals and stick to your routine!
1. Set Measurable, Realistic Goals
The first key to achieving nearly any goal is making sure it’s both measurable and realistic. That gives you something concrete to work toward while also ensuring it’s achievable and within reach if you put in the proper effort. For example, maybe you want to lose a few pounds. While losing weight can make you feel better both in your brain and your body, it’s crucial to have a starting goal. Instead of starting with a mission to lose 50 pounds, move in 10-pound chunks. Additionally, work to maintain that weight, as it can fluctuate based on dietary and exercise behavior in addition to thousands of other factors that vary from person to person. Watching yourself progress can be inspiring, and hitting those small checkpoints can drive you to reach the next ones.
2. Start in the Kitchen
They say abs are made in the kitchen, and while you may not be going for the Mr. Universe look, any healthy body starts with a balanced diet. And it makes sense if you think about it. What’s easier: consuming 1,000 calories or burning 1,000 calories? It’s no contest. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, get stronger, or enhance your internal health, well-rounded meals filled with fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and healthy fats can contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Furthermore, eliminating processed foods or calorie-dense food with no nutritional value can be a boon to your goals. It can be helpful to start cutting just one thing detracting from your objectives. Soda and alcohol can be a great place to start, as both offer little in the way of health benefits, weight loss or muscle recovery. Replace them with water, which speeds up your metabolism and hydrates your body.
3. Develop a Consistent Workout Routine
Introducing exercise into your daily routine can be a great way to jumpstart your summer fitness regimen. Prior to developing your routine, however, it’s important to remember your goals. For example, if you’re looking to lose weight, a good balance between cardio, strength training and core exercises can be key. If you want to gain muscle, a heavy focus on strength training can help, but it’s still important to incorporate some sort of cardio exercise to help strengthen your lungs and improve circulation. Additionally, remember to only do what you feel confident and able to do. Pushing yourself beyond your current capabilities comes with the potential of injury, which only sidelines you and hinders your progress. A better idea can be gradually building to where you’d like to be, whether that be in your weight training, your cardio exercise or your overall fitness goals.
4. Get the Proper Amount of Sleep
While pushing your body to the limit might sound like the best way to speed up your fitness goals, sleep and rest are also crucial. In fact, they should be a priority, as the recovery period is essential for muscle repair in addition to regulating mental functionality and strengthening your immune system and metabolism. Obviously, the necessary amount of sleep will vary from person to person, but getting anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep per night can help you be more functional, both physically and mentally. Proper rest can also help you stay motivated by giving your body the chance to replenish everything it has burned over the course of a day. Burnout is a real thing, and pushing yourself beyond what’s possible without giving yourself ample time to recover can actually be detrimental to your goals.
5. Never Give Up
We’ve all been there. You consistently eat well, you dedicate yourself to your fitness goals, you get the proper amount of sleep. Then, you step on the scale, and it’s the same number as it was a week ago. Remember, progress takes time, patience and commitment. Additionally, plateaus are normal, but you can’t bust through them by giving up on your goals. Even when hope seems lost, don’t forget about your mission. And don’t forget about the bigger picture, or the reason you started working toward a healthier lifestyle in the first place. Furthermore, it’s not always about what’s on the outside. Working out and eating right might actually be more mental than it is physical, and sticking to your routine to overcome obstacles for the sake of your own happiness and confidence is the true sign of success.
