One of the top New Year’s resolutions for many people is to get in better shape. It’s often thought that you need to spend a lot of money or exercise for hours a day to improve your health. That’s not necessarily the case.
Here are 12 simple ways to get this year that most anyone can follow.
Table of Contents
Have a Goal
As with any resolution, having a concrete goal is essential to guide your direction. Think through what you want to accomplish and map it out with your goal.
It’s best to set yourself mile markers to reach your goal to help build momentum. For example, if weight loss is your goal, create monthly or quarterly goals to simplify it.
Try HIIT Workouts
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts can be an incredibly impactful way to get fit. The goal is to boost your metabolic rate in short bursts.
Even if you only do HIIT exercises for 25 or 30 minutes five times a week, you can create a significant difference.
Use Netflix
Do you have a Netflix subscription? If you do, they have numerous workout videos you can use to get fit. They even have beginner videos.
What if you don’t have a Netflix account? Tubi, a free streaming service, has similar videos you can use at no cost.
Work With Someone Else
It’s proven that working with a partner is a way to increase effectiveness. A friend or family member can be there to encourage and challenge you to push forward.
You can do the same for them. Joint workouts can include anything from walking together during the week to going to the gym together.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
While some types of alcohol have lower levels of carbohydrates, alcohol is largely empty of calories. Eliminating or limiting your intake of alcoholic drinks is one of the best ways to get fit.
Eat Nutrient-Rich Foods
A key part of getting fit is to lower your caloric intake. Consuming nutrient-rich foods is a fantastic way to do this. Such foods are dense but low in calories.
Options include vegetables, whole grains, fish, non-fat and low-fat dairy.
Don’t Eat After Dinner
There’s no magical time to stop eating in the evening. However, choosing the wrong foods can be problematic and also largely turn into fat when you sleep.
If you’re still hungry after dinner, opt for foods rich in fiber and protein. Yes, eating sugary foods and snacks is fun but they can derail your goals.
Track Your Progress
As with any important goal, monitoring your progress is important when you’re trying to get fit. When you create your goal, determine how often you want to check in on your progress.
Checking in weekly may be best when you start, then monthly. Don’t forget to celebrate your progress either, as that motivates you to continue.
Opt For the Stairs
Taking the elevator at work or anywhere else, is a convenient way to get where you need. However, it’s also keeping you from realizing health benefits.
Taking the stairs is good for your heart, improves muscle strength, and it burns calories. Best of all, it can be a stress reliever.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key to any goal you want to reach, especially exercise. It may be painful or no fun in the beginning.
However, continuing through that helps you develop the discipline until it becomes a habit. Once you do that, you’re bound to find success.
Drink Plenty of Water
Your body needs water. Increasing your water intake to at least 64 ounces daily is an easy way to aid your health-boosting efforts.
Water improves your energy levels, flushes your system, protects your spinal cord, and so much more. That’s not to mention that drinking water helps you feel fuller, likely leading you to eat less.
Talk to Your Doctor
Before you begin any exercise regimen, it’s wise to speak with your doctor. They might have some tips to help improve your efforts.
That’s also not to mention they can make you aware of any risks they find in your plan.
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I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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