Fitness Tips

It is almost the end of the year. If one of your new year’s resolutions is physical fitness, I have a few tips that can help.

1) Focus on positive thinking. When you can keep up with your physical fitness plan, you should congratulate yourself every time. It is not easy to keep up with fitness plan. You really need to have a strong will. Be proud of yourself.

2) When you fall back from your fitness schedule, you should not berate yourself. Some people are too hard on themselves, and they never start over again. Your physical fitness New Year’s resolutions are the promise to yourself. They are not the test of your willpower.

3) You should stay away from unhealthy temptation as much as possible. If you are on the diet, you do not want to keep a huge bucket of ice cream in your refrigerator. It can only make your life harder.

4) Be realistic. Some people expect to achieve physical fitness over night. They make fitness plans that are impossible to keep. Realistic physical fitness plan must fit into your lifestyle. You must ask yourself, “Can I really go out for a run every evening?” If the answer is “No”, you may want to rethink your new year’s resolutions. If you know that you can not do them every evening, you may be able to do them twice a week.

5) Try to keep your resolutions with a friend. You can help encourage each other. A good friend will make your fitness resolutions fun.

5 Tips to Get Fit This Fall

Fall is the best time of year to begin a fitness routine. After three months of extended sunlight and increased outdoor activity, our energy levels are higher than ever before. Pair this with the beginning of our regular school and work routines and we have all the elements needed for fitness success. Take advantage of the best time of year to get fit with these 5 fall fitness tips:Make a plan: no matter how much you wish to get fit, it just won’t happen unless you have a strong plan in place. Set yourself up for success by creating a long-term goal that lasts 6 months to one year. Once you know where you want to go, create three or four mini goals. Although the numbers on the scale measure how far you’ve come, it’s better to focus on accomplishments that aren’t attached to numbers. Fitting into an old pair of pants, or finishing a learn to run clinic gives you a great sense of achievement and a more accurate idea of how far you’ve come.Schedule your fitness routine into your day: schedule every workout into your day planner. To remind yourself just how important your fitness schedule is to you, make the note in your planner very personal. Write out messages such as “THIS IS FOR YOUR HEALTH!”, or “FITNESS TIME!”. This will make you think twice about rescheduling your fitness for a later date or time. If you’re using your technology to keep your appointments, set a reminder on your phone for 15 minutes before your workout. This way you get mentally prepared to get fit.Take advantage of the weather: The heat waves and humidity are left behind with summer. The crisp cool weather that fall offers makes this season the perfect time of year to take your fitness outside. Enjoy an outdoor run, take a hike or join a walking group. The fresh air and outdoor activities will increase your enjoyment for fitness.Create a back-up plan: Many people plan their fitness programs only to fall off the wagon when something derails them. Get ready for the unexpected. If you planned to join an outdoor activity, have a backup indoor option ready. If you know your ankle bothers you, trade in a lower body exercise routine for swimming, or ride your bike instead.Ask your friends for support: Ask your friends or family members to join you while getting fit especially if your fitness goal includes weight loss. How many friends or family members do you need for social support? According to The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, three is the magic number (1). When participants were paired with three friends or family members 95% completed their weight loss program. Your friends and family hold you accountable, create an added element of enjoyment and motivate you during your weakest moments.(1) Rena Wing, & Jeffery, R. (1999). Benefits of recruiting participants with friends and increasing social support for weight loss and maintenance. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 132-138.