1. Drink more water– Cut out soda & energy drinks and aim to drink a gallon of water each day. If you need something with a bit more flavor, you can add some lemon, mint, or a couple pieces of fruit to change it up!
2. Eat more frequently. Yes, I said MORE! Try to eat every 2-4 hours to keep your blood sugar levels balanced and metabolism kicking. That being said, make sure to fuel these meals with QUALITY food and smaller portions. Quality foods include: lean proteins, fresh veggies, fresh fruit, healthy fats, whole grains (a good rule of thumb is to pretty much ignore the center of the grocery store). Cook with real ingredients- if you can’t pronounce the ingredients on the back of the package…they’re probably not that great for you.
3. Lift weights and include cardio! Challenge yourself while lifting weights and make the last 2-3 reps of each set more difficult. You’ll be building muscle, losing fat, and sculpting a great body. In terms of cardio, include high intensity cardio intervals into your training. You will get the max results in a smaller amount of time- yes please!
4. Take a day to rest. When you’re training hard, your body needs a day off. Muscles recover and grow when you give them some time to rest, so as tempting as it can be to train seven days a week, allow your body at least 1 off.
5. Have fun & never give up! Find an exercise routine that you enjoy and healthy foods that you like to cook. Get family and friends involved as well. Having fun and support from family and friends makes life more enjoyable, and makes you more likely to stick with your healthier ways. Never forget: if you have a bad day, start fresh the next, move on and keep pushing. No one ever said it would be easy, but it will be worth it!
Author Bio:
Elspeth Polt serves as Fitness Ambassador for LeaseQ, one of the leading providers of fitness equipment leasing and financing in the United States. Polt is also an ISSA certified personal trainer, AFAA certified group exercise instructor, national bikini bodybuilding competitor, fitness model and published writer. To learn more about LeaseQ and its free financing platform, visit www.leaseq.com.