Top 10 Fitness Tips

from FC 2019

The Winter Wonderland of Clemmons, NC

BY CAROLYN S. PETERSON

Whether you want to admit it or not, at some point in 2019, the thought may cross your mind, ‘How did I do with my healthier lifestyle resolutions for 2018?’ For most, the answer is the same…you started off on the right foot, going to the gym and cleaning up your diet, but things got off track and you didn’t make the changes you wanted. Well, guess what? You don’t need New Year’s Day to make a new start – jump in any time and, with the right tips, 2019 can be the year of the new you!

1. EXERCISE EVERY DAY!

If you think back to the last time you got a really good workout in, didn’t you feel better? Daily exercise builds the endorphins, pheromones, testosterone and adrenaline, and all are ingredients of the best addiction…getting healthy! If you only exercise two to three times a week, it is harder to establish it as a lifestyle change. Once exercise becomes a daily habit, you will miss it if something gets in the way.

2. CHOOSE AN EXERCISE BUDDY & GROUP ACTIVITIES

This may sound a bit dramatic, but ‘friends don’t let friends get out of shape!’ When you have a workout buddy or participate in group activities at a gym, you are more likely to show up and get your workout. It comes down to accountability; if you know there’s a friend or a group who are going to miss you and follow up with the text, ‘Why aren’t you here? I saved you a place in class!’ you’re more likely to get your rear in gear and get to the gym.

3. FOCUS ON DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS

We all have activities that we like better than others. For me, I love cardio, but weight training isn’t a time that I enjoy. However, for a wellrounded workout, you need cardio and weight training to achieve the results you want. There are positives in pushing yourself to think outside of the box when choosing your workouts.

4. IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

If you consider yourself a cyclist, then you probably excel on the bike. You’re strong in your legs, but if that’s all you focus on, the rest of your body won’t achieve its potential. A swimmer can stay in the pool and swim until they grow gills, but they may not be able to lift a weight. Balance your workouts; do what you love, but add an activity that can strengthen areas your favorite exercise doesn’t.

5. CHANGE YOUR DIET

Let’s face it, most of us have our go-to meals; hopefully they aren’t all fast foods, but we have our favorites at restaurants and meals we x at home. Put some thought into what you eat and how those choices give you the energy to do what you need to do, including working out. Change things up and maybe try a high-protein diet, with low carbs, or just clean up what you are eating.

6. CHANGE UP YOUR TIME OF EXERCISE

I have friends who get up every day at 4:30 am (no, that’s not a typo) to get their workout in, but if you aren’t a morning person, don’t try and make yourself one. You will quickly get defeated because that’s not your time of day and you will probably make everyone else in the gym miserable with your not too pleasant attitude. Try getting in a workout on your lunch hour or right after work before you go home and get settled. Once you hit the sofa, the chances of going back out aren’t good.

7. QUIT ALCOHOL

Okay, don’t go off the deep end after reading ‘quit alcohol’; try it for a speci c amount of time. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, yet people don’t recognize the effects of alcohol on the body. Alcohol slows metabolism, increasing weight gain; it reduces activity levels and interferes with sleep.

8. START OUT STRONG

Before you start your day, as soon as your feet hit the oor, do something to get your day going. Do 25 sit-ups, 15 push-ups or a oneminute plank. Engage your abdominal muscles rst thing in the morning to get that good endorphin feeling going and build a stronger trunk which will help you, whether you sit at a desk or are on your feet all day.

9. GET MORE SLEEP

Studies show that close to 90% of people don’t get the sleep they need. If possible, take naps, go to bed earlier and don’t watch TV in your bedroom. The light from the TV or your phone keeps your brain active not allowing you to wind down.

10. DON’T TAKE LIFE SO SERIOUSLY

No matter how much you work out, you ain’t getting out of this life alive. Every day, nd the blessings in life. Even in the darkest times, there are things to be thankful for… family, friends, pets, the stranger who held the door for you when your hands were full of groceries, the birds singing outside your window; expressing gratitude can change your mindset and get you on the right course for the new year.