No money but need to get in shape
If you want to lose weight or reshape your body and heading to the gym isn’t possible right now, you have several other options. In fact, according to research, body shape is changed by 20% exercise and 80% diet. This means you may want to focus on changing your diet more than worrying about working out too much. You deserve to take control of your life by having a healthy fitness routine, believing in yourself, and changing your life for the better.
Be Mindful of Eating Habits
Changing your eating habits makes it easier to lose weight. In fact, commit to small changes each day, and you’ll be making progress. For one, eat small portions by using a smaller plate. Other changes you can make are chewing slowly and taking smaller bites. Old habits may be difficult to break, but give your body the time it needs to adjust.
Avoid Unhealthy Foods
Unhealthy foods such as ice cream, candy bars, hamburgers and others can contribute to dangerous health problems. For this reason, it’s wise to find simple ways to avoid these. At first, you may crave junk food, but eventually you’ll likely adapt to a healthier diet. For one thing, you can hide junk food from family, toss it in the trash before you can eat it or just don’t buy it at all. Every time you feel weak, remember the benefits of healthy eating. Become educated on what types of foods will help you sleep better, think more clearly and make you feel energised.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting an adequate amount of sleep is essential to better health, happiness and weight loss. Eating healthier, exercising and avoiding stress can significantly improve sleep quality. Moreover, you can download a calming app that plays soothing nature sounds to help you calm down. You can also have a positive mindset throughout the day. Before bedtime, you can do activities to wind down such as reading a book or meditating. Avoiding technology and the TV an hour before bed time helps calm the brain down and helps you sleep once your head hits the pillow!
Changing small habits can have a huge impact on your mindset.
Hydrate
You can’t survive without water. It makes up nearly two-thirds of your body and is essential for you to function properly. As a basic guide, most people need about 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid a day, which is about eight to 10 glasses.
You can get this from water and other drinks, such as milk and fruit juice. Water in food also counts – fruit and vegetables contain lots of water. Cucumber and lettuce have the highest water content of any food – a massive 96%.
Tomatoes area also packed with water – about 94%. Keep your hydration levels topped up by adding them to a salad or a sandwich.
Water is the best choice when it comes to meeting your body’s needs for fluids. It doesn’t have any calories and is free if you drink tap water.
If you find it tough to drink just water and want a tastier drink, then squash, milk, fruit juices or teas will also top up your fluid levels. It’s a trade-off though, because these contain calories, usually from sugar, and they can damage your teeth.
Try and avoid fruit juices, fruit based smoothies and fizzy drinks due to their high sugar content unless you select the low sugar variation of the fizzy drinks.
Get More Active
You can get the exercise you need by living a more active lifestyle. Firstly, find activities you genuinely enjoy doing. This may be hiking, walking a nature trail or skiing. Additionally, volunteering improves mental health, positivity and fitness. Volunteer opportunities to consider are planting trees, joining a community garden, walking dogs at a local shelter, participating in a charity walk and many more.
Try Yoga or Pilates
Forget about the gym because yoga and Pilates can help you maintain a healthy weight, and possibly even lose weight. Remember, these aren’t a replacement for exercise though. You can enroll in a yoga or Pilates class with a friend or by yourself. A few benefits of both are increased muscle strength, flexibility and tone. You may also find Pilates and yoga classes online. So grab a mat, find a quiet spot and commit to fitness.
Exercise at Home
You can find ways to have a fitness routine indoors or outside at home. For example, a few simple exercises you can try are lifting dumbbells, walking or push ups or leg squats. If practical walk the children to school or go jogging with the baby in the buggy.
Consider including vigorous exercises like running, jumping rope, jumping jacks or aerobic dancing in your fitness routine.
You won’t have to waste money on expensive exercise equipment or gym memberships. Plus, you won’t feel guilty for skipping gym workouts.
Feel energized to start your day by genuinely immersing yourself in your home workouts.
Eliminate Stress
If you suffer from anxiety or stress, you can benefit from eliminating anything that stresses you out from your life. Consequently, for your own sanity, toxic people may have to go as well. You can find ways to avoid people who you can’t completely cut out of your life. Further, if city life stresses you out, consider moving to the country or spending more time in nature. Spiritual techniques like meditation or yoga can be highly beneficial by calming your mind, body and spirit.
Take a Day Off and have an eating cheat day
Being too harsh on yourself may cause you to go back to former bad habits. For this reason, take a break for a day sometimes by eating a piece of cake or cookie. You can also do a hobby, read a book, or just relax and watch the sunset. After this, you’ll probably feel recharged enough to go back to your regular routine. Finding time to participate in positive activities you enjoy is far from selfish. Always remember how special you are by staying positive and being healthy.
Taking care of your health and well-being is the right way to live a positive lifestyle. Consider the benefits of loving yourself so you can be the best mother, friend or wife to loved ones. Besides this, take the time you need each day to enjoy your own life.