How to be Healthier
10:18 PM
2014 is coming to an end, which means we're all busy scribbling in our notebooks our new year's goals, and I'm ready to bet that the majority of us have written down "be healthier". But that's easier said than done. I know from personal experience that as soon as February rolls around I'm back on the couch with my chocolate in one hand and no intention of getting outside. This year though, I really mean it (okay, I say this every time, but I swear 2015 is the year!). I've decided to gather up some tips I've learnt from my previous mistakes to make my journey (and maybe yours) to a healthier lifestyle easier.
Number One:
I am not a sporty kinda gal, never have been and probably never will be. During my life time I have tried a lot of different sports, but none of them have ever worked out. When balls are thrown my way, my first instinct is to duck or scream (like a little girl I might add) or just run away; so this already rules out most athletic activities. I also don't like swimming, I can't do gymnastics (trust me, I've tried) and I have the worst sense of rhythm in the world. So the first tip is: find an activity that you like (or at least that you don't hate). This is a trial and error process and it can take a long time, but it's crucial. Don't do something only because it's convenient or because everybody is doing it. Do something that you aren't going to 100% hate. Personally, I've discovered that going to the gym works best for me, because I really couldn't get into sports, but everybody is different.
Number Two:
If you have a good friend with a similar goal, buddy up and start exercising together! But be careful; be sure that your friend is serious about this and that they're not going to abandon you or drag you down with them. Also make sure that you have compatible schedules and taste, so that you can do the same activity at the same time. I'm going to the gym with my best friend, and so far it's been really good because we just chat and gossip the whole time and it doesn't even feel like a chore anymore!
Number Three:
I'm one of those people that loves to buy gym gear as soon as I decide that I'm going to start being active, and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it's not very smart and actually just a waste of money since I often end up giving up. So my advice is to buy one thing only, being it shoes, a shirt, or those cute yoga pants, but nothing more. This way you'll get excited about using your new purchase, but won't have wasted money.
Number Four:
If you're anything like me, after a month or two you'll get bored of your "new" running shoes, and going out to exercise will become a bigger chore. A good idea would be to set little goals and little rewards to keep you motivated. Say, for example, that you go to the gym for a whole month without skipping more that 'x' days: boom! You can buy a new shirt! This way you get to buy something cute (which in my opinion is always fun) and be motivated to keep working hard.
Number Five:
At the start of a new year, we often end up setting unrealistic goals, which can result in the worst outcome. When choosing how often to exercise check your schedule and be realistic, this way you'll be more consistent. It's better to go twice a week every week, than everyday of the week only once a month.
Number Six:
I've mostly focused on exercising in this post, but there's other aspects of being healthy. To just generally improve your lifestyle try spending more time outside, preferably in parks or other green places where the air is fresh. Clean air can make a ton of difference to both the body and the skin, and it can be a good change from the pollution of the city.
Number Seven:
Obviously a huge part of being healthy is eating healthy. I didn't really say much about this because it's something I really struggle with, and so I don't really feel capable of giving tips on it. The only thing I will say is that you should allow yourself to have a cheat day, but don't overdue it. Cheat days can be great, but if you use them to completely pig out, it can mean taking a step backwards, because it will make it harder to go back to your "diet".
0 comments