GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Like peanut butter and jelly, or soup and sandwich, food and fitness go hand and hand, if you're aiming to live a healthy lifestyle.
It's time for Motivation Monday, and fitness expert Chris Freytag, shared four ways to improve your relationship in both areas.
Get hooked. I have met plenty of people who have told me that they don't enjoy exercise, but after I encourage them to try different types, they get hooked. If you think exercise is drudgery than you haven't found the right exercise for you. Try a form of exercise that's totally new to you, whether that's a workout DVD, a spin class, hot yoga or ballroom dancing. Don't let your age impact what you try. Every exercise can be modified for various fitness levels and for safety. Imagine if you tried swimming laps this year and love it so much that you start doing it daily. (Ok, so that will never happen for me because I know that I don't love swimming laps...but on my bucket list of activities I want to try is ballroom dancing.) Just know your favorite exercise awaits you!
Don't fear food. You may feel like temptation is everywhere you look and you begin to fear food or fear that you will eat everything you want and lack control. A good way to avoid overindulging is to know you can always have your favorite foods, just not as often as healthy food. If you don't feel deprived, you won't be as likely to have a weak moment where you give up and overindulge. Another way to avoid overeating is to portion out your food on a plate instead of putting all the food on the table. Or always operate with a game plan. If you like to snack at night, know exactly what that healthy snack will be ahead of time. Make it your mission to find healthy food and recipes you love. Nutritious foodcan still be delicious.
Create an environment that supports you. There are all sorts of ways you can create a supportive environment, from asking your family to exercise with you to refraining from buying food you have a tough time regulating. Put healthy food front and center in the fridge. Cut up fruit and veggies and having them in easily accessible containers. Tell someone your goals. Write your goal down and post it somewhere you will see it each day. Give yourself a reward that you can look forward to if you achieve a goal-like a new pair of jeans. Post up a motivational quote or photo that makes you want to exercise. Buy a yoga mat, small hand weights or a jump rope. Designate an area in your house for fitness so you will be inspired every time you see it. Buy a calendar and those star stickers kids love and give yourself a star on each day you exercise. You can brainstorm endless ways to have a more supportive environment for your health!
Recognize there's a solution for every problem. You just ate half a bag of M&Ms (the big size) and you are in a panic. You were doing so well before that transgression, you think to yourself. Don't let it derail you. You don't have to give up, just realize there's a solution. If you've overindulged, then acknowledge it and overindulge in exercise. Spend some more time or amp up your intensity when you exercise to balance out those extra calories. If you are worried because you took two weeks off from exercise, don't beat yourself up, just make today different. Jump back into it.
Your body is a reflection of the relationship you have with yourself-so make it a good one!
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