It's on everyone's mind... "What will my New Year's Resolution be this year?"
Statistics show that 95% of New Year's Resolutions are fitness related. While it is important to think about improving our health, we need to set realistic, achievable resolutions. Here are some facts and tips to consider when setting your new goals:
If your resolution includes weight loss, remember that diet AND exercise together are crucial to your success.
Exercise to be healthy, not just to lose weight. A healthier you will lead to a better quality of life.
Focus on being strong rather than being skinny and consider ditching the scale. Being strong has long term benefits and if excess weight is a current threat to your health, strength training is sure to bring weight loss. Stop focusing on what you think you are supposed to look like and start focusing on how you feel.
Cardio and strength training are equally important.
Strength training DOES NOT mean you will look like a body builder! So many people say to me, "I can't lift weights because I don't want to have big muscles". Strength training provides overall body strength, improves stability and functionality, helps burn more calories when you are not exercising, lowers your risk of injury, provides more body definition, promotes brain health... and the list goes on.
Cardio helps you burn more calories per session and strength training helps you burn more calories every day.
HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) can help you achieve the same cardio results in less time.
PLAN...PLAN...PLAN... Planning is one of the most important contributing factors to your success. Keep a gym bag or at least tennis shoes in your car, plan your exercise each day, plan your meals each week, keep a food and exercise journal.
Incorporate physical activity into your "Fun" time. Plan a hike or 5k walk/run with friends. Join a group step challenge. Try a new sport for date night; tennis, dancing, basketball, swimming, group fitness class, yoga, etc... Surround yourself with healthy habits and encourage others to join you.
Ask for help and don't give up if you hit a plateau. This is not a short-term band-aid, it's a long-term solution.
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