Being physically active and staying fit has multiple benefits to both your physical and mental health. To keep you motivated and help you along the way, we’ve put together our top 5 tips for keeping fit.
1. Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is so important to keep your body healthy and encourage progress. Your body may signal hunger but more often than not it is dehydration, making you reach for a snack when you should be having a glass of water. Research states that the average person should be drinking a minimum of two litres of water a day – so grab that water bottle and get started!
2. Get quality sleep
Getting a good nights sleep is so important to keep you feeling strong, awake, and ready for the day. Poor sleep can drive insulin resistance, disrupt your appetite hormones, and reduce your physical and mental performance – making it easier to reach for that chocolate! Try to keep to a consistent sleeping routine to reduce the chance of broken sleep and fatigue, and improve your overall performance.
3. Consistency is key
Move every day. The key to keeping consistent is being disciplined instead of relying on motivation. Motivation can come and go, however discipline will hold you accountable and keep you on the right track to achieving your goals and seeing progress. Don’t focus on the end results, make small goals and be consistent with them. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day!
4. Energy in, energy out
Dependant on what you are trying to achieve will alter your focus. If you are an active individual you should focus on eating high protein foods giving you more energy and stopping those snack cravings. However, if you are looking to lose weight you will need to maintain a calorie deficit whilst ensuring you are eating energy foods – it’s all about balance and giving your body the fuel it needs!
5. Don’t compare
It’s your journey, everyone is different! Nobody is judging how much you can lift or how far you can run, everyone is focused on themselves and you should be too! Stay focused on your own goals and remember that your fitness journey is unique to you, and what works for some people may not always work for you! The less you compare the happier you’ll be with your own progress and small goals along the way.
BONUS TIP!
Talk and share
Be proud of what you are going to achieve and share your progress; making yourself accountable often helps to stick with it. Talk to people about your achievements and share your own tips with them – you never know who you may encourage and motivate along the way!