Get Moving!

Exercise is so important in living a healthy lifestyle! It's not just for losing weight or "gains." It should NOT be something miserable that you dread everyday. It should be something you think is fun and you look forward to! I mean it's inevitable that some days you just really don't feel like hitting the gym, but if you push through those days and complete your workout, it makes you stronger and feel so much better in the long run! It's all mind-over-matter! 

Do you find yourself getting bored with your workout routine? If so, try something new!! I love running, but I need to do more than just run (especially in this heat!!) For me to become a stronger runner, I cross train... I lift weights, I go to spin classes (which I LOVE), and recently I took a couple of boxing classes at Title Boxing! I never imagined myself enjoying that, but it was SO much fun! It was a great workout, and a great way to release lots of energy! PLUS.. Burns LOTS of calories! Of course that all depends on how hard you push yourself too! 

And remember this (for those trying to lose weight)... the 80/20 Rule! 80% diet. 20% exercise. 80% of weight loss is what you are eating; if your body isn't getting proper nourishment, then weight loss will be harder to achieve. Second thing to remember, less is NOT always more! Eating less does not necessarily mean you will lose weight. Eating smaller, more frequent meals is the BEST way to achieve weight loss. Starving yourself will only make weight loss an even tougher challenge! Your body will go into starvation mode and want to hold onto its stores because it has nothing to replenish those store with once they are used, making you retain the weight instead of losing!
If you are just trying to maintain weight, then remember, calories in need to equal calories out! You need to burn as many calories as you are fueling your body with that day in order to avoid weight gain. Keeping track of calories can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you have a hectic schedule. There are great, easy to use apps for this to help (I use MyFitnessPal and love it).

My advice... find an exercise or workout routine that works best for you and that you enjoy! Even if you are running short on time one day and only have 15 or 20 minutes, it's better to take advantage of that than do nothing at all! Something else I recommend is working out in the morning. That can be challenging for people who have to be at work super early, but if you can get up 10-15 minutes earlier and try to get a very short workout in (or even just some stretching!) to just get your blood flowing and wake your body up, you will be amazed at how much more awake your body feels throughout the day. And it helps give a little boost to your metabolism too! 

It doesn't matter what type of exercise you like, just as long as you get moving!!