It’s hard to believe, but you’re nearly halfway through the year already, and you’ll finally be coming out the other side of the freezing cold weather. Surely this should be when all the resolutions and lifestyle changes should be made and implemented, right? It’s so easy to get sidetracked into staying indoors (where it’s warm) and eating comfort food in front of Netflix in the winter months, and after what feels like the longest winter ever, it’d be no surprise if your health and fitness have been last on your list of priorities.
But hey, it’s crucial to a long and happy life that you look after your body as much as you can. You’ve only got one after all. And, with spring (kinda) here, and summer just around the corner (fingers crossed); there’s no better time to take on some fresh changes that will give you a much-needed boost and kick-start into the warmer months (to avoid ended up looking like this 👇 #guilty!)
Fortunately, there are plenty of small changes that you can make and things you can enjoy that will ensure you’re leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Nobody’s here to tell you off for eating chocolate when you have a craving, or tie you to the treadmill for hours a day; it’s about enriching and enhancing your life with great things.
You’ll love the way you feel when you’re fit and healthy, and you’ll reach a point where you can’t imagine not having those healthy choices in your life, which will see you through the colder months again at the end of the year (sorry for mentioning them). The following are some ideas, inspiration, and advice for those who want to make some positive changes to their lifestyle so that they’re as happy, fit, and healthy as they can be.
Plenty of hydration
It sounds so simple, but so many women are forgetting to stay hydrated throughout their day. Drinking the odd coffee at work and enjoying a glass of wine on a Friday doesn’t count towards flushing your toxins away, and ensuring that all of your organs (including your brain) are able to function efficiently. Caffeine and alcohol can contribute to dehydration, which is why they can cause headaches, migraines, and even UTIs.
Your liver and kidneys need plenty of water to flush out those nasty toxins and drinking plenty of water every day will help to prevent diseases of your organs, and keep lesser-known conditions like anasarca at bay. Simply make sure that you’re getting into the habit of drinking a glass of water afterwards and throughout the rest of your day. Eight 500ml glasses, evenly spaced through your day will not only keep your insides in tip-top condition; you’ll have fresh, youthful skin to look forward to as you’re glowing from the inside out.
Nourishing food
Pack your plate full of colourful and nourishing ingredients and forget about sad salad leaves and a soggy tomato (nobody wants to eat that regularly, or ever). When it comes to your vegetables; the more colour, the better. Finding fresh and seasonal produce to add to warm salads, stews, and soups will ensure that you’re able to satiate a large appetite and will know that your nourishing your body with plenty of vitamins and fibre.
Doing a bit of research now will ensure that you can kick your bad food habits and fill up on tasty alternatives for the rest of the year, so check out some simple and delicious recipes online and get inspired. It’s not about starving yourself or going hungry, as this will only make you reach for the sweet stuff; it’s just time to enjoy more of the good stuff (that will definitely fill you up).
Fitness fun
For you to stick to your exercise and fitness plan, you’ll need to find something that you enjoy and look forward to. If you hate running and have bad knees; it’s no use telling yourself that you’re going for a run every day, as you’ll go out once and do a U-turn, before giving it up completely. I ran a half-marathon a couple of years ago and pushed myself a little too far weeks before the race, and although I ended up completing it, I did end up with an injury that’s still with me today. It’s cost me a fortune in therapy to resolve it and it’s getting better but I’ve been looking for different ways to exercise that are low-impact and only using my treadmill occasionally.
I absolutely love the sea, and in the summer you’ll find me in the water almost every single day. Whether I’m out on my kayak or hiring a stand up paddle board, I could easily spend hours out on the water. Even in the winter, I try and get out in my winter suit at least a few times… my partner thinks I’m 100% crazy even I drag him into the freezing ocean on a random Thursday evening. Living just 2 minutes from the beach, getting back on a surfboard and investing in more lessons was an obvious choice for me so I picked up a 7′ 6 NSP SurfBetty last month.
Surfing isn’t for everybody, especially if you’re not near the coast. You don’t have to get in the sea to exercise – it’s worth looking into the latest fitness trends and signing up for some classes near you. Look at it as another way to socialise, and get your health and fitness levels up in the meantime; it’s a win-win. Other people will always encourage you to keep going back, even when the weather sucks, so keeping your fitness light, fun, and social is the best way to start your new way of life. And, who knows what exercise it could lead to next!
