Do you feel like you need to make a change to improve your overall health and fitness? Many people reach a point now and then where they suddenly feel like they are not at their best. Maybe your clothes are feeling uncomfortable, or you are feeling more tired than you usually would. Sometimes, people feel like this as a result of their lives getting out of balance. Too many late nights, being under stress, and comfort eating can all lead to not feeling at your best, and can take their toll over time. If all of this sounds familiar to you, then these tips should help you to break free from being stuck in a rut, and get your health and fitness back on track.
Getting Started
The decision to make a change can seem like the easiest part. However, making a start and sticking with it can be so hard. There are many reasons why it is hard to commit to a healthy lifestyle, but one of the main issues is that people often take an ‘all or nothing’ approach. Trying to go from being a couch potato to a marathon runner in one day is never going to happen. But, training steadily and consistently making healthy lifestyle choices could mean that running a marathon is possible. The key to getting started on a journey towards health is to take it one step at a time and not to put yourself under so much pressure that you set yourself up to fail. Taking smaller steps in the right direction will help you to make a change to your lifestyle without feeling overwhelmed by it.
Before you get started on your new diet and exercise regime, it is advisable to consult your doctor first.
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Overhauling Your Eating Habits
If the word diet strikes fear into you, then you have likely had bad experiences trying to follow various eating plans in the past. Often you will see some initial weight loss, but life gets in the way, and then you regain the weight lost plus a little extra too.
There are lots of ways to change your eating habits, and luckily, they don’t all involve lots of calorie counting. Finding a diet that best suits how you like to eat is an effective way to feel the benefits of weight loss. If you don’t want to be on a ‘full-time diet,’ then intermittent fasting may be the right choice for you. Using this weight loss method means that you can adapt it to best suit your lifestyle by choosing how and when you fast. Some people fast two days a week, while others fast every other day. This makes it a pretty flexible option to fit into your life.
Making sure that you are hydrated is also essential. Drinking the right amount of water can help you feel fuller for longer. Staying hydrated means that you are less likely to mistake being thirsty for hunger. Of course, drinking enough water is also great for achieving clearer skin and brighter eyes too.
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Get Moving
Getting more exercise is not only great for helping with weight loss, but it is also a perfect way to get out and about in the fresh air too. If you are not someone that enjoys working up a sweat at the gym, there are still plenty of ways to fit more activity into your life. Simple things such as taking long walks, or getting off the bus a stop or two earlier can help to up the amount of physical activity that you fit into your day.
Finding an exercise that you enjoy is crucial for making it something that you will enjoy doing as part of your routine. Why not try something completely different such as trampolining or dance classes?
Stress Less
Stress can take a toll on your health and fitness levels. When you are stressed, you probably won’t feel like exercising, and you may comfort eat. As well as weight gain from comfort eating, research suggests that stress itself can lead to weight gain. This is because stress elevates your body’s cortisol levels, which in turn increases your hunger – making it yet another incentive to find ways to relax.
Finding ways to relax and reduce your stress levels can benefit every aspect of your health. If you are looking for practical ways to reduce stress, practicing mindfulness can help, and if you want to destress while exercising yoga could be beneficial for you.