Seven ways to start a healthy routine… AND STICK TO IT!

We live in the age of the fitness blogger, the instagram fitness celeb, we are totally bombarded with unrealistic images of perfection in every available media channel.

Everybody seems to be drinking milk alternatives, going on yoga retreats (and obvs posting them on their stories!), meat seems to have become a dirty word and it feels like we are all trying to “out fit” one another.

How can you adopt and embrace a healthy lifestyle without becoming obsessed?

The key to finding a happy fitness balance which nourishes your body and brain is to stay motivated, try not to get sucked into a fitness competition with instagram, avoid dangerously strict diets and find a style of exercise which is varied and gives you pleasure!

Don’t let healthy habits become detrimental to your wellbeing and allow yourself the odd treat.

It’s important to move well, eat well, live well and allow yourself some rest and recovery time too. Learning to listen to your body is the key to achieving a happy and healthy brain and body.

Framework for success

What do you want to achieve…?

Find your exercise purpose. Pick a goal, be it running 5 ks or smashing 10 pull ups. This is measurable and will keep you on schedule.

Prepare…

Don’t freewheel it. You will just end up doing the same stale workouts day in, day out. Have a clear purpose and organise every session, pop it into a weekly planner to make sure you make it happen and hold yourself accountable.

Baby steps…

“I am going to run a marathon…” If you have never jogged around the block, this could be an overwhelming, demotivating goal.

Be the tortoise not the hare… Slow and steady.

Going off like a rocket invariably ends in injuries and niggles. Incremental progress increases the chance of you remaining injury free and improvements will happen over a sustainable time period, maximising both physiological and pschycological effects!

Keep switching it up…

Keep your body guessing by regularly switching up your workouts. This will stave off boredom and accelerate aesthetic improvements which should keep you motivated! So HIIT, Pilates, Swimming, do it all.

REST…

Sleep, relax, allow your body to repair between workouts. This should keep you feeling energised and enthusiastic.

Put the bottle down…

Hangovers are the ruination of positive routine.

Try to have 5 booze free days per week to establish positive routines, better sleep and perkier metabolisms.

Be proud you are fit, strong and active…

Don’t allow negative behaviour from the people in your circle derail you. You are in charge of your destiny and direction and make no apologies for choosing a positive path. Enjoy how much more capable your mind and body have become. Embrace and enjoy it!