Why wait until January 1 to make a fresh start? Make those resolutions today, and start now.
Seven tips I would give to a newbie to get into a healthier regimen right now, instead of later.
Tip #1: Simplify your plate. Incorporate more fresh veggies into your daily meal plan. Making your plate as colorful as possible is a great healthy start. Red bell peppers, a bright green spinach salad, white boneless chicken breast, an orange sweet potato. Can you believe I only recently discovered how amazing cauliflower tastes? I tried it for the first time probably a year or so ago, and now I can’t get enough of it. I’m not afraid to pick up a new fruit/veg at the grocery store, and google it when I get home to see what the heck to do with it. Stir frys are always super fun and very fast to make if you’re a working girl. They don’t have to be boring, there are tons of varieties out there. The one’s that I like to make, and if they’re good they go on my recipe page. Like Pad Thai or even Lemon Pepper Chicken. Both are incredibly easy to make.
Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to explore new places alone. When the local climbing gym opened up in August I was afraid to go in and put my climbing shoes on. Bouldering by myself? No problem now! I’ve met a ton of great people and now any time I go in for a climbing session I know a handful of people! Climbers are very welcoming people, we’ll walk up and talk to you if you’re alone or if you are having trouble working on a boulder problem. Find something you love doing and you’ll be much happier. Climbing, and CrossFit are my loves right now. I get excited just thinking about going out in the evenings to do those “workouts” which don’t even feel like workouts anymore since I enjoy it so much. You gotta trust me on this one! Find something you love! :)
Tip #3: Don’t have off-limit foods. I’m trying to convince myself to not eat so much candy. Ha! So instead, I try to save it for indulgences once in a while. (psst, I really need to take my own advice.) Candy often has a lot of unnecessary sugars, and fats. Try replacing your sweet tooth with something almost as satisfying. Often I love to “crunch” on candy. I like to replace candy-crunch with cracker crunch and wash it down with a glass of cool water.
Tip #4: Being healthy doesn’t mean going to the gym all of the time. Start going for walks outdoors, get that heart rate a little high and push yourself. Go up a few hills! If you have a dog (or something else you can walk) bonus! Bonding time for the both of you. I personally don’t like going to a gym as I lose interest within a few months. Which is why I’ve started going to CrossFit, and also climb in my spare time. Unfortunately for me, walking or running to the locations is a wee bit too far.
Tip #5: Feel as though you don’t have enough time in your day to work out? Why not have a jaunt around the building during lunch time? Have fun with it! Handstands in the park. What!? Most people I know have a full 60 minutes for lunch. Most of my day is spent sitting on my butt at work. I don’t want it to become flat and square from sitting for 50 years before I retire. I like to move-it move-it.Â
(Reel 2 Real reference anyone?)
Tip #6: Set aside some time for yourself. Feeling stressed? Take a back seat and relax. Pour yourself a luscious warm bubble bath, do nothing for one evening after work, veg out, hang out with your girlfriends. I have tons of ideas to de-stress!
Tip #7: Lastly, get a good nights sleep. They don’t call it beauty rest for nothin’!
That my friends are some of my FitFluential tips for you on how to get started onto a healthier lifestyle! Boom!
