Bodywork Buddy Blog : Staying Healthy and Motivated Throughout the Year

Staying Healthy and Motivated Throughout the Year

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January has come and gone, and maybe your resolution to lead a healthier lifestyle has gone with it. Whether you’re just hitting a roadblock or if you completely fell off the train, you can still get back into gear. It’s important to implement a plan you can upkeep throughout the year. It’s all about finding the right balance of exercise routines, resting and recovering, and listening to your body.

Caring for Your Body

Instead of setting monthly goals, set goals for two or three month at a time. You can still set small target goals to reach so you’re motivated by seeing progression. Taking small steps is important because trying to take steps that are too big can be overwhelming, demotivating, and keep you from reaching your goals. Once you’ve reached your two or three month goal, do it all over again. If you don’t succeed, try setting even smaller target goals, like every week.

Many people search for a certain diet trend to try to achieve their weight loss goals, but those trends sometimes eliminate things our body really needs, such as carbs or fats. Instead, aim to eat as clean and balanced as possible. Consume non-processed foods, low amounts of sugar, foods that are naturally low in fat, and small amounts of good carbs. Carry these choices over when you eat at restaurants too. Also, be sure to eat in moderation and don’t overeat at meals.

When planning your daily meals, include plenty of fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods. Eat a variety of foods to ensure your body gets all of the nutrients it needs. Don’t forget to stay hydrated. This doesn’t just apply to working out; it’s important to drink water throughout the day. Lastly, getting an adequate amount of sleep is crucial. A lack of sleep can reduce your energy levels and affect the way your body grows and repairs.

Switch It Up and Cool Off

Regardless of how long you workout, exercising three to five days a week is enough for a healthy lifestyle. Remember to keep your exercises balanced by switching up the type of exercise, as well as the volume and intensity. This is to prevent over reaching and causing injury, and it’s especially important if you decide to workout more than five days a week.

For example, walk your dog (or if you don’t have one, take on some dog walking clients) on the weekend, lift weights on Tuesday and Friday, and go for a swim on Thursday. These different exercises work a variety of muscle groups and change up the intensity. Yet, they all offer you healthy training to help you reach your goal. Remember that participating in outdoor activities is great but depends heavily upon the weather, so have a plan for indoor activities in the summer when it’s too hot or in the winter when it’s too cold. You don’t want rain or snow sabotaging your exercise regime.

When you’re working out, be sure to listen to your body. If you need to rest, take a break. This also means taking a day off if you need it. Taking a day off doesn’t mean sitting on the couch and watching TV. Instead, practice yoga or get a personal massage. Personal trainer Tyrone Brennand says yoga has provided him with unbelievable improvements, mentally and physically. It’s also helped him improve other aspects of his training.

Worth It

Sticking to an exercise routine and practicing clean eating aren’t always easy, but the rewards are definitely worth it. To avoid getting bored or burnt out, challenge yourself with different routines. After a few months, you’ll be surprised and inspired by what you’re capable of achieving, which is the real beauty in becoming a healthier you. Enjoy your new healthy lifestyle and feel good about healing your mind, body, and soul.