My Top Five Tips for Living a More Active Lifestyle
1. Small Changes that Make a Huge Difference
Taking the stairs, choosing the farthest parking spot from the door, taking a brisk walk over your lunch hour, or even doing body weight exercises while you get ready in the morning (try doing squats, lunges, or walking in place while you curl your hair!) are just a few small changes that will make a big difference in the amount of physical activity you’re getting throughout the day! You’ll hardly notice these small changes in your daily routine, but they add up in a huge way. I use my Apple Watch to track my daily steps, and I always notice a difference in number of steps achieved when I stick to these habits!
2. Schedule Adventurous Weekend Activities
Now more than ever, we’re having to find new, creative ways to keep ourselves entertained. With no baseball games, concerts, or social gatherings, Chris and I have found ourselves to be surprisingly more physically active on the weekends! We often take long walks around our neighborhood, go running around a nearby lake, and have even explored outdoor parks in surrounding communities. We’ve come to love these activities and plan on sticking to them, even when things open back up!
3. Do What Works for YOU!
Working out doesn’t have to feel like a chore, and if it does, you’re not doing what’s best for you! You don’t have to take the 5:00 a.m. cycling class, or train for a marathon, or lift heavy weights just because it feels like that’s what everyone else is doing! You don’t have to follow someone else’s fitness plan in order to be fit, and you probably won’t stick with it if you don’t enjoy it. It might take some trial and error, but find an activity that you find fun and motivating, and that keeps you coming back for more. For me, that’s running outdoors or group fitness classes, like Orangetheory Fitness. If you’re passionate about the activity, it’s more likely that it will turn into a lifestyle.
4. Invest in Cute Activewear
I don’t know about you, but when I put on activewear that I actually like, I am instantly inclined to be more active! It sounds silly, but it’s so true. My motivation to stay active increases dramatically when I look in the mirror and feel confident in my appearance. You know when you get a new outfit and you can’t wait to do something fun just to show it off? The same thing goes for activewear! If you love it, you’ll be more excited to get it sweaty. Workout clothes don’t have to cost a fortune, and when I invest in pieces that are functional and cute, I notice a huge shift in my focus and motivation!
5. Focus on Nutrition
Last but not least, it’s important to fuel your body with nutritious foods that support your active lifestyle! Personally, I notice a huge improvement in my energy level and confidence when I minimize my intake of sugars and processed foods. I completed Whole30 last January, and continue to implement the rules of this program into my diet on most days. I try to live by the 80/20 rule, especially during the week, which means 80% of the foods I consume are foods with a simple or recognizable list of ingredients, or no ingredients at all because they are whole (e.g., meat, seafood, fruits, veggies, natural fats, herbs, spices, and seasonings), and treat myself with the other 20%! Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water!
I hope you learned something new or at least feel a little more motivated after reading my tips! Thank you for stopping by and happy near year!
XO, Marie Suzanne
