Longer days, shorter nights and the ice-cream vans catchy jingles are a good reminder that summer is fast approaching.
With that couch potato attitude (which you now abide by), your New Years Resolutions have become merely a figure of speech.
The countless number of Instagram ‘inspiration’ pages that you follow have tricked you into believing it is YOU behind the screen of your smartphone.
But Fear not! Here are TMacLife’s top 10 guidelines to help you on your way …
1. Firstly establish that this ‘Summer Body’ transformation is not a temporary gain.
The same way a dog is not just for Christmas – your health regime should become a way of life!
2 . Consistency is key!
Signing up to the gym is NOT the hard part. Don’t catch a case of ‘gym fever’ that will soon fizzle out, instead pace that enthusiasm & drive so becomes a habit and lasts for longer than a week!
3. Eat clean, Train dirty
You’ve heard it before and now you’re hearing it again. ‘ You are what you eat '– quite literally. If its crap & unhealthy , then you’re bound to feel crap and unhealthy.
So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not ruin all that hard work by scoffing down a takeaway immediately after your workout session. It completely defeats the point. You are literally taking 1 step forward, then 2 steps back!.. keep moving forward 🙂
*tip: Create a nutritional meal AND snack plan. With this you can even incorporate cheat days ( not more than 1 per week please), that way you won't feel so guilty when you pig out, plus it gives you something to look forward to.
4. Have a plan!
There’s nothing worse than walking around the gym floor thinking ‘hmm maybe I’ll try this’ or ‘I wonder if this machine will help’ this will only demotivate you and subsequently lead to an inefficient workout. Trust me, I’ve been there, we’ve all been there.
Instead, walk into your work out session with confidence. Own it, be certain of what it is you’re doing, then get it done! simple.
If Wednesday is Leg day, then be damn sure you’re working those legs. Don’t let anyone/thing come in between that.
*tip: Speak to an expert such as a Personal Trainer for advice if you feel you may need a bit of help on getting started.
5. Switch up the style
Don’t just make it about the gym floor, that treadmill view becomes a bore after a few sessions. Discover what this weird and wonderful world has to offer. Parks are a good place to start. There’s also boot camps, classes or how about the ‘insanity’ workout from the comfort of your home, that just happens to be on the top floor? :/
My point is, be imaginative.
6. Sign up for something!
Whether it be a 5K charity run or a bodybuilder bikini model event, once you’ve signed up and put your money where your mouth is there’s very little chance you’ll back out. So get training!
7. Make time!
‘ I don’t have time’ has got to be in the World's top 10 most annoying excuses list.
Think about this, there are 24 hours in a day, that’s 168 hours /10,080 minutes in a week. Do you mean to tell me you can’t find a minimum of 90 mins from that a week?!
That’s 0.89% of your week… not even up to 1%.
There are 24-hour gyms at next to nothing signing up prices or if you are reallyyy skint, turn off Netflix, pick up two cans of baked beans and start squatting. You’ve got to start at some point.. and time waits for no man! (or woman)
8. Challenge yourself.
Once you’ve finally changed out of your onesie and your starting to look (and train) the part, why not challenge yourself to something you would have never done before.
There are so many challenges that could really help you stay motivated throughout the course of your health and fitness journey.
For example, Veganuary or Meat Free May, this challenge will encourage you to find other sources of protein and explore different foods.
9. Water !water !water!
Water has 0 calories!
It not only has ZERO CALORIES, but it also has sooo many health benefits.
And if you’re one of those people who ‘don’t like the taste of water’ or ‘find water boring’ then switch it up a bit; try adding fruit to your water bottle, coconut water, loose flavored decaf tea’s or even Watermelon (Beyonce voice)- watermelon is 92% water, Yum!
Whatever the case, just make sure you’re getting your 2 litres a day. Or start a water challenge (see the previous point)
10. Don’t be lazy it's as simple as that.
Finally, whether you like it or not you’re going to have to actually GET UP! Just remember something is always better than nothing.
Summer is around the corner and it's taking no prisoners, there’s no filter that can save you this time. So what are you waiting for, get your bum off that sofa and get your heart rate up!
