10 Tips for Getting (and STAYING) Fit!

Candy's Top 10 Tips for Getting (and STAYING) Fit!

No matter where you start, or how far you have to go, getting fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be a bit of a process. But, it doesn’t have to be! Below I have listed 10 simple tips to help you stay on track and reach your health and fitness goals.

1. Love yourself *at ALL stages* 
Whether you’re just beginning, you’ve fallen off the healthy horse, or you’ve been on the gainz train for years; you have got to learn to love your body for all that it is. Nobody is perfect; we all have our flaws and things we want to change. But, you can be a work in progress and still be proud of who you are and what you know you’re capable of. Self-love is the number one!

2. Do it for YOU – Not for anyone else
The decision to get fit has to come from within. Sure you may want to be healthier for your spouse or kids but if you don’t have a strong desire to do it for YOU, it probably won’t last. You deserve to spend time on taking care of yourself; body, mind, and soul.

3. Don’t compare!
So you see these beautiful models with chiseled bodies on social media and you think, “Wow, if only I could have her butt or his arms…” STOP. Hold it right there! You are special. You’re unique. No two people are the same in this world and that is such a wonderful thing! It’s nice to be motivated by people’s stories but we all struggle and everyone has their own journey to reach their individual goals. Quite comparing your life or progress with anyone else. It is always you vs. you and guess what, either way you win because you’re awesome and working hard towards becoming a better person.

4. Listen to your body
What works great for your friend, co-worker, or some fitness model on IG may not work for you. Learn YOUR body. Find out what works best for you. Maybe you need more carbohydrates in your diet. Or possibly you find that you enjoy running long distances. Hey, maybe you’re exhausted from training so you need to take a rest day. Don’t burn yourself out. Rest when you need to because recovery is super important for muscle growth. Bottom line is, take the time to get to know your body and be mindful of what it’s trying to tell you.

5. Minimize the S word (STRESS)
Stress is a silent killer. It can wreak havoc on you mentally and physically. Make sure you practice being patient and don’t sweat the small stuff. People will annoy you, problems will pop up at work, family and friends can create drama; that’s life! Become a spiritual warrior and count your blessings every single day. Take regular breaks when you’re feeling overwhelmed and make time to pray and/or meditate daily.

6. Set SMART Goals
In order to succeed, you have to hold yourself accountable. A great way to do this is to set SMART Goals. Here’s an awesome pictograph explaining each step. (Insert photo) Now right down your SMART Goal!

7. Be Consistent
Know that good things take time. You will have awesome days, terrible days, and all kinds of days in-between. But the key is not giving up when times get tough. I have had my fair share of setbacks during my own fitness journey but every time I veered off track, eventually, I found my way back. Daily failures are like red lights during a road trip. When you’re driving a car, you’ll come to a red light every now and then. But if you maintain a good average speed, you’ll always make it to your destination despite the stops and delays along the way. Just keep driving!

8. Celebrate your progress
No matter how big or small, progress is progress! Be proud of your accomplishments and take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments. I personally like to buy a cute new outfit or upgrade my gym gear as a reward for reaching a goal.

9. BALANCE is key
Seriously. I am sure you hear this all the time but it is so freakin’ true! You have to learn to have a healthy, balanced life. Spending all your free time in the gym instead of making time for family and friends is NOT healthy. Cutting out your favorite foods forever and eating 100% “clean” is entirely unrealistic. Turning down invitations out and missing important events because you can’t track your food is just insane. You can be healthy and still enjoy a glass of wine, ice cream, pizza, and bagels. Moderation, not deprivation. Restricting yourself too much creates and unhealthy fixation. Learn to make smart choices and don’t sacrifice other parts of your life just to be fit.

10. Be Positive!
Your mindset is everything. Once a negative thought enters your mind, you have to be aware of it, and endeavor to replace it with a constructive one. If the negative thought returns, replace it again with a positive one. It is as if there are two pictures in front of you, and you have to choose to look at one of them, and disregard the other. Persistence will eventually teach your mind to think positively, and to ignore negative thoughts. If you expect only favorable results and situations, your circumstances will change accordingly. Stay focused and remain positive!