When it comes to our health and fitness, there are a number of hurdles (get it?) in our way on the path to the perfect body. But, I think we can all agree that it’s worth it to pursue better health and fitness. After all, poor health leads to a shorter life and a lower quality of life, so it’s literally a matter of life and death. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. While it can be hard to maintain our health and fitness in a world that sees fit to kill us with kindness, the main thing to remember is that all your really need is the right knowledge and some discipline in order to overcome these luxurious vices in order to get fit and healthy. Here are some tips to help you along the path to health and fitness.
First and foremost, let’s talk about exercise. Where exercise is concerned, you’ll first need to assess your body’s own unique strengths and weaknesses so that you can find the right workout to address your specific needs. For example, if you’re not getting enough of an upper body workout, you may need to spend more time on the Bowflex at the local gym, but if it’s a leg workout you’re need, jogging might be a more pressing matter. Then, it’s all a matter of sticking to your workout regimen. It can be frustrating to be unable to breeze through your workout, and you may perceive it as a failure, but know that this is the whole point of working out. “No pain, no pain,” as they say. In other words, it’s only by pushing yourself to and then beyond your limits that you can improve.
Then, there’s diet. Where diet is concerned, the modern American diet is one rich in processed foods that offer convenience and a low price point, but this comes at a greater cost. These foods are chock full of additives that rob them of their nutritional value, so you’re much better of going with home cooked meals made with fresh ingredients. The extra time and money you’ll spend on this diet pays for itself when you start to have more energy, lost excess weight, and generally feel better.
Please keep in mind that these nuggets of advice require lifestyle changes, they aren’t one and done actions. You can work hard for the next year at exercising adequately and eating right, and then cave in for a month and undo all of your hard work as if it never happened. This is really where most people fail. I’m sure you are familiar with the New Year’s Eve effect?!? The beginning of the new year always sees an upward surge in gym membership purchases, and overall gym attendance. This typically only lasts a month or two until those New Year’s resolutions go be the wayside. That doesn’t mean that you can’t buck this negative trend. With a little positive thinking and can-do attitude you can accomplish anything.
