6 Tips on Starting to Exercise and Keeping Your Promise to Yourself

We all have had something we are trying to achieve, and realize it was harder than we though. When it comes to exercise, it is very important and we need to keep the body healthy. We know it takes more than just saying you promise on Monday you are going to start going to the gym – we all need to be accountable!

· Find a workout buddy – It helps having someone besides yourself to keep you accountable when you try to avoid your workout. Plus, when the workout gets hard, they have your back!

· Look up gym classes – If you start scoping out classes and trying them, you can really find something you truly enjoy. Plus, when you find a class you really like you are more likely to go. Your group fitness instructor will even remember your name – you bet they may call you out if they notice you’ve missed a class!

· Always pack a bag – You never want to use the “well, I don’t have my bag,” excuse. If you always keep a change of clothes with you, the second you have some spare time you can get a couple minutes in at the gym. Who knows when your friend may ask you to join them at the gym!

· Set realistic and attainable goals – We all know it takes time to put weight on, just as it does to lose weight and gain muscle. Setting realistic goals helps you achieve them more successfully. You can always tack goals on, but you want to set yourself up for success. You can do this!

· Be positive – You are making a change, and you can stick to it. You are doing something for yourself that will help keep you healthy. It is worth it, and so are you.

· Stick to it – It takes at least a week to make a habit of something. Keep your workout time part of your schedule. You will get used to your designated time, and the day you miss you will feel thrown off. It just takes time!

Learning How To Eat Well…and Love It At The Same Time!

In order to reach your fitness goals, you need a good steady and consistent workout plan, but that doesn’t stop there. We also all need to change the way we eat. Now living in San Antonio, I myself know it’s hard to do with these great Tex mex restaurants all over the city. Your workout maybe for an hour or so but food is everywhere and all around us for the next 23 hours of our day...correct?

We know from experience that diets do NOT work! Maybe for a little bit but then what happens after all is said and done…rebound! It has to be a complete lifestyle change!

We all need to get to a place that we are comfortable enough to have BALANCE! No counting macros, no binge dieting, or no counting calories. Learn what you need to know to lose the weight, or gain muscle to buckle down when needed, and then give yourself the freedom to eat as normally as well too. It is possible to pair your workouts with a doable nutrition plan to really help you reach your goals for good.  Let’s stop crash dieting and really make lasting changes for yourself and your family.

But how do you eat in order to look great, feel great, AND still enjoy life? Learning the basics is key as well as allowing yourself some leeway.

3 BASIC WAYS TO EAT RIGHT AND STILL HAVE BALANCE

1. Learning what to eat and start making swaps. (example…my family loves spaghetti, so instead of making pasta with beef, use squash for the noodles and swap the beef with lean turkey)
2. Learn how many calories to eat. There are tons of apps out there that can help with this. Download one, then insert your food intake and it does it for you! Easy enough…right!
3. Become protein minded. It’s always good to have protein with every meal. Even if it’s just for a snack

     Lisa Medina 

     IFFH Trainer