Say hello to your checklist for a healthier you. Follow these fun, practical strategies, and the results you’ve been after are in the bag!
- Stick to It for 3 Weeks: If motivation is your hang-up, change your exercise routine every 21 days. A University of Florida study discovered that people who modified their workouts twice a month were more likely than to stick to their plans compared to those who changed their regimens whenever they wanted to. Boredom didn’t appear to be a factor; it seems people simply enjoyed the variety more.
- Never Skip the Most Important Meal: For once we’re not talking about breakfast but rather the recovery meal after your workout. So many women skip post-exercise nutrition because they don’t want to ‘undo the calories they just burned. But getting a combination of 10 to 15 grams of protein and 20 to 30 grams of carbohydrates within 30 minutes of your workout will help to refuel your body, promote muscle recovery, amp up your energy, and build a leaner physique.
- Hang Tight: Not being able to do a pull-up doesn’t mean you shouldn’t step up to the bar. Simply hanging on for as long as possible can improve your upper-body strength.
- Be True to Form: It doesn’t matter how many pushups you can do in a minute if you’re not doing a single one correctly. Perfect your technique, then later add weight and/or speed. This is especially important if your workout calls for performing “as many reps as possible” during a set amount of time. Choose quality over quantity, and you can stay injury-free.
- One Day at a Time: Long-term goals are imperative, but they can make you feel overwhelmed or discouraged at times. Instead of thinking about how many dress sizes smaller you want to be in four months, focus on small everyday victories.
Emily Parsons
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