5 Steps to a Healthier You

Every year around this time we stop and think about January and all of the New Years resolutions we heard: lose weight, get fit, make healthier choices…but how many of you actually kept those promises to yourself? At Fitness 2000, we believe that resolutions don’t have to be strictly made at New Years. In fact, the middle of the year is a perfect time to re-establish healthy resolutions.

Being a healthier you starts with these five steps:

1. Get moving

You don’t have to go straight from the couch to running a marathon, but any extra movements you add in the day will benefit you. Go outside and play with your kids or pack a bag to hit the gym on your way home from work. When you make exercise a non-excusable part of your schedule, you’ll see the results you want. We suggest joining a class where you’ll have other people around you to keep you motivated. If you have no idea where to start, think about working with a personal trainer.

2. Eat better foods

Take some time and think about what you eat. If it doesn’t come from nature (or as close to nature as possible) it’s probably not the best for you. Pick foods that have more than one health benefit, like almonds that have fiber, protein, heart-healthy fat, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals or avocados with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, vitamin C, E, potassium, and lutein.

3. Follow the basic nutrition rules

Read the label of your food, do you understand it? If it looks like a foreign language, put it down and pick up something you can understand. A good tip when in the grocery store is to shop in perimeter first, the areas that have fresh fruits and veggies, dairy, and meats, and then go back around to the packaged foods in the middle.

4. Find a buddy

Things are always more fun when you have a partner in crime. Enlist your best friend to come to the gym with you or spend some girl (or guy!) time together grocery shopping. Not only will this person help keep you accountable, but you’ll have more fun if you’re enjoying it with someone else!

5. Give yourself a break

No one is perfect; even we eat our share of ice cream. You shouldn’t think of your health journey as being a restrictive rule, but a flexible plan. If you want dessert, by all means, eat dessert! Just put in some extra time at the gym that week. We’re human and we make mistakes. If you fall off the health wagon, don’t be too hard on yourself. Acknowledge where you went wrong and start from there.

No matter what time of year you decide to make a change in your life, if you remember these five tips, you’ll be on the right track. If you don’t know where to start, let Fitness 2000 help! The energy you find in Fitness 2000 group fitness will help you stay committed on your personal fitness journey for all ages. Check out our classes and schedule to find one perfect for you.

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