Whether you’re just beginning your fitness journey or want to gain more information, here are some tips for building a healthy, sustainable routine. Now, obviously, I am no expert, so take this lightly.
Food
The most important part of fitness also stands as the most challenging. Food. It sounds simple; we eat every day. But when prioritizing your health and fitness, food holds the most value. Start by using a calorie calculator to determine how many calories you should consume. If you’re looking to lose weight, look into a calorie deficit. Simply meaning, reduce your maintenance calories (the amount you need to keep the same weight) by about 200-500. If you want to gain weight, then of course, eat more. It’s important to remain mindful of calories when working toward a fitness goal. Now remember, I said to be mindful. Do not limit yourself. Do not starve yourself. Do not overeat. If you’re not careful, tracking calories can become a dangerous game and lead you to spiral out of control. Maintaining awareness of calories stays important throughout your journey. Letting it consume your thoughts and choices creates an unhealthy and unsustainable mindset. When it comes to food, it’s all just a formula. At the end of the day, only you know your body and what’s best to reach your goals.
Style
Oftentimes, people think of fitness as directly correlating with going to the gym. However, many styles of exercise exist to ensure you enjoy it. If you don’t enjoy your routine, you’re less likely to stick with it. Barre, pilates and yoga classes create an environment for those who want to focus on improving flexibility and fine muscle groups. The short movements and calm nature enhance balance and serve as a stress reliever for many. A staple for all routines, no matter your goal, stands as cardio. Whether that’s walking, running, biking, swimming, hiking, or dancing, cardio strengthens your heart and improves circulation. Always try to incorporate cardio into your daily life. When focusing on growing large muscle groups and appearing “buff”, weight lifting serves as the perfect solution. Progressive overload assists in strength training, but it’s important to listen to your body and not push to the point of exhaustion or injury. It’s important to develop a routine that works for you and your lifestyle. Map out your goals and how you realistically plan to achieve them. Take it slow and learn your body.
Mentality
Although fitness focuses on improving the health of your physical body, upholding a positive mindset allows for a healthy route to seeing progress. Don’t compare yourself to those on the internet. Everybody is different; nobody’s eating habits or exercise plan looks the same, so don’t compare yourself to someone you see on social media. Additionally, exercising can take a toll on your mental health. If it becomes too demanding or you start to view it negatively, take a break. Your mental health remains significantly more important than a fitness goal. Take a week off and see what adjustments you can make to ensure exercise remains a habit that fuels you, not discourages you.
