With the new year comes resolutions, and with resolutions comes fitness goals. Transitioning to a healthy lifestyle is not the easiest change, but it is the most valuable when it comes to having good quality of life. Below, you’ll find some easy tips for making and sticking to your health goals for 2018.
1. Track what you eat
Tracking your food can help you visualize what you are putting into your body. Setting a reasonable calorie intake can help you make sure you are giving your body the best nutrition possible. It also can help ensure that you don’t overeat, which can derail fitness goals. A great resource to use is the Myfitness Pal app that makes keeping a food log simple and customizable.
2. Find a workout buddy
People are more likely to adhere to a workout routine if they have someone to go with. If you can’t coerce a buddy to join you, give group fitness a try! The HLS facility has numerous options to help meet your personal goals and make breaking a sweat more enjoyable. Group fitness is a great way to connect with people with a common goal.
3. Set attainable goals
Setting attainable goals means making sure that you are not pushing your body too hard, too fast. Be patient with your body and take time to rest, especially if you’re a beginner. You may or may not see results as soon as you lift the first weight or run the first lap, and that’s OK! Make sure to keep in mind that the goal of any fitness endeavor is to be healthier and that health encompasses more than just physical appearance.
4. Meal Prep
Meal prepping does not mean going out and buying every healthy thing you can find at the grocery store. Meal prepping simply means preparing your meals ahead of time. I’ve found what works best for me is to pick one day to spend cooking for the rest of my week. This ensures that I don’t eat as much fast food during the week and if I get hungry at any point, a good meal is only a few seconds away in the microwave.
5. Reward yourself
Fitness goals can sometimes be very difficult to stick to. One thing that will make that easier is rewarding yourself. If you really push yourself in the gym, it is totally OK to treat yourself with a small brownie or a cookie. The trick to reaching a fitness goal is everything in moderation, which includes indulging occasionally. Another option would be to have one meal a week that is your “cheat meal.” That way, you can have your greasy hamburger or some Chinese food and still feel good about sticking to your goals!
Trying to stay fit in college can prove to be a chore; however, the benefits of being healthy far outweigh the challenges. A healthy lifestyle now will repay you in dividends for the rest of your life and you will thank yourself later! Have a happy and healthy new year, Argos!