*This is a collaborative post*
If you're anything like me then you'll no doubt have read many an article on how to get beach body ready or how to drop a dress size. Not that I'm knocking these articles but I'm currently more focused on my health and fitness levels. Our bodies our machines that need taking care of, so how can we do this?
Exercise And Dedication
You knew I was going to say this right? If you're really serious about upping your fitness levels then of course you're going to need to exercise. You'll also need an element of dedication, the right sportswear and a local gym. You don't have to join a gym if you prefer to do your own exercise routine at home. Just make sure you're committed and will stick with it.
Speaking of sticking with it - or not as the case may be! In the wake of every new year, resolutions made and Christmas weight in tow, hoards of us join one of many gyms nationwide to take advantage of the January join up offers. But according to the Fitness Industry Association, of the 12% gym members who do sign up in January, most have quit after the twenty four week mark. I also read an article on Credit Donkey that said 80 percent of those who joined a gym in January 2012 had quit within five months! Clearly many of us are lacking in the dedication department so why is this?
There are several reasons but for the most part it appears to be down to a lack of time and motivation. To get around this you should sit down and write a list of all your commitments and daily activities. If you really want to get fit then you'll need to perhaps re-prioritize. Yes this might mean skipping an evening of watching your favourite soaps or taking an evening off blogging, but where there's a will there's always a way!
Going to the gym with a friend is also an excellent idea. It's all too easy to not bother with the gym when you go it alone, after-all, the only person you'll be letting down is yourself. However, choosing to go with a friend means you're much less likely to quit as you won't want to let them down. The friend will also help to spur you on providing muchly needed encouragement and motivation and you can do the same for them.
Don't Forget To Wear The Right Sportswear
Once you're committed to getting fit and have joined a gym or have simply set aside time for regular exercise, you'll then need to invest in the right sportswear. Do your research to see which clothing is best recommended for your planned activity. Consider factors such as performance, comfort, and protection. Look for clothing that allows more breathability and for moisture wicking fabrics which will draw any sweat away from the skin.
There are of course hundreds of sportswear retailers out there and one of the most popular brands has to be Adidas. According to Latest Deals, Adidas actually has a legacy that spans almost seven decades and the world famous David Beckham himself is indeed an Adidas brand ambassador!
Before you part with any cash you would be wise to check out the offers on Latest Deals. Their community of deal hunters (regular folk like you and me) will find and share the best bargains around so that you can save yourself some money. It'll also save you hours of perusing the net comparing prices.
If you pop along to the website now you'll find some absolute steals such as the Adidas Men's ZX Flux Trainers down to £34.99 from £79.99 saving you £40. The Adidas Originals Alphabounce EM Trainers which are lightweight with breathable mesh and cushioned support are now £44.99 down from £84.99. And it's not just footwear where you'll find bargains, there's a whole host of items ranging from hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, tracksuit bottoms and sports bras, to backpacks, beanies, sunglasses, body sprays and water bottles.
Change In Lifestyle
A poor diet can lead to ill health, obesity, sleep problems and a whole host of other issues. Smoking and excess consumption of alcohol can also contribute to all of the above. By eating a healthy and nutritious diet you can actually lower your risk of developing particular diseases. According to Dr. Alessandro Menotti, there are three factors linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease, other cardiovascular diseases and cancer. These are; remaining physically active, being a non smoker and sticking to a Mediterranean diet.
You should try to ensure that your diet includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and low fat, low dairy foods. If you want to make sure you're eating a healthy and balanced diet then visit NHS Choices and download The Eatwell Guide.
Of course a lifestyle change doesn't just mean amending your diet and cutting down on alcohol. It's about looking at every aspect of your life, reducing your stress levels where possible, making time to actually relax and ensuring that you get enough quality sleep.
It's about taking the time to enjoy the simple things like catching up with friends. Healthy relationships and staying connected can reduce the feeling of loneliness thus boosting our emotional well-being.
Do you get job satisfaction or do you despise going to work? Perhaps consider a change in career if you're in a position to do so.
If you think your current lifestyle is wreaking havoc with your health then sit down and really focus on what you can do to change this.
If you put just some of these suggestions into practice then at the very least you should see an improvement in your energy levels. Like with most things, you won't see results straight away but this doesn't mean you should give up! Stick with it and in time you'll see a vast improvement in your fitness levels, in your overall health and in your mood.
Images sourced from Pexels
N.B: Please note that offers on the Latest Deals website will vary and will change from time to time as new bargains are uploaded. The information and prices in the post above were correct at time of publication.
Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteI signed up to the gym 3 weeks ago and have been going to most morning classes, and have been trying to eat healthily.
Until last week when I put my back out! So annoying, I've had to miss a few classes, and I hope it doesn't affect my drive to keep going.
Thanks for sharing this post.
Debs @ tiger-mint.com