A body is for life, not just for summer!
A puppy is not just for Christmas and a body is not just for summer. Too often are we focused on achieving the short term goal of having a ‘perfect bikini body’ in time for our summer getaway. We cut too many elements from our usually vibrant lives: calories, cakes, cocktails and even colleagues as we opt to spend every post-work evening at the weights bar instead of the wine bar. Attempting to be uber-healthy for a short, concentrated period of time – while admirable – is unhealthy and unsustainable. Ditch the summer body and start working towards your body for life (it won’t feel like work this way, promise!)
Work out where you are and where you’d like to be
Before we start, let’s be clear about one thing: these are long term goals. They’re there to help motivate you on your life-long journey rather than act as signposts that must be hurtled towards with great pace within a week of setting off.
Now, we get it – working out your weight and BMI and body fat and reading up on what BMI even means can be such a tedious process that you’re ready to give up before you’ve begun. Weight x height x not enough fingers left to count on = serious frustration. Weighitz can weigh you, work out your BMI and recommend healthy and sustainable weight loss or gain goals all in one go. That was easy wasn’t it?
Enjoy creating new healthy recipes
Opening the fridge door when attempting to eat clean can induce a variety of different emotions. Confusion, for example. Perhaps fear or apathy. Which of these foodstuffs is healthiest? What can I combine it with to make something that in some way resembles a meal? What does a moderate portion of that meal even look like?
Having logged your goals, the Weighitz app is already one step ahead of you. It’ll let you know what your daily calorie requirement is, as well as what delicious recipes will help you hit your goals. Just like that puppy, turkey is not just for Christmas! Turkey mince makes for amazing low fat burgers. Serve with carrot and sweet potato mash, a great alternative to carb-heavy creamy potato mash. Et voila, go forth to the fridge and feel nothing but excitement and confidence.
Learn to love water
On starting a new regime many will stock up on so-called superfoods with names they can’t pronounce. The harder the name is to pronounce, the more expensive it’s likely to be. Not only is water free, but it’ll do your body a lot more good than those fancy foods ever could.
Drinking water throughout the day can help stop you mindlessly snacking, a) because often we mistake thirst for hunger, and b) there’ll be no room for that square of chocolate because your mouth will be otherwise occupied. It’ll also aid your new fitness regime; if your cells can’t maintain a balance of fluids they shrink, which’ll cause your muscles to become fatigued quicker.
Add ice, add frozen fruit, add (sugar-free!) cordials. Do whatever you have to do to learn to love water.
Find an exercise regime that works for you
Don’t start a hardcore regime you obviously can’t keep up. Exercising should be a treat not a chore. If you were always the school kid who happened to be ill on the day of the big cross country race, the thought of having to run on a treadmill three times a week for the rest of your life isn’t going to fill your heart with joy.
Invest time in trying out different types of exercise until you find the one that you know you’ll look forward to after a long day of work. It might be yoga, spinning, HIIT, or our new obsession barre corre. Whatever it is, just keep moving!
Wear work out clothes that make you feel good
Yes yes yes, you know you’ll feel re-vitalised and will radiate health once you get to the gym, but for many of us it can be difficult to find the motivation to even get to the there in the first place. Don’t underestimate the power of gorgeous work out clothes to get you off your soon-to-be buns of steel. You’ll look so good in Varley’s fashion forward leggings that you’ll want to go for a run even on your day off, and Nike’s classic sports bras will support you on your new adventure.
Don’t forget to have a laugh
This is what it all comes down to really. The whole point of working towards maintaining your body for life is that you’re never stressed by food or exercise or pressures of societal expectations.
Discover new places in your city, indulge in a coffee at your favourite coffee shop, seize the moment and eat outside as soon as the sun appears. It’s these little moments that’ll make up the rest of your life, so just don’t forget to enjoy them.
Want to kickstart your body for life with the help of Weighitz? Support their Kickstarter campaign!
