this-deadly-touch:

Nothing can make me feel any worse.

I’m really really.. I can’t even talk.

fitnessinprogress:

1. Set Reachable Goals

  When it comes to getting healthier and fitter, there are many ways to measure success and the scale is just one of them. But don’t let the number on the scale deter you from going forward with your plan to make this your healthiest summer yet. Take time to update your goals for the spring season and don’t attempt to do too much at once!!

Ex. make it your goal to work out 4 times a week, try a new vegetable or whole grain to cook with every week or fitting into your favourite sun dress or eating breakfast everyday.  Oh and be sure to also celebrate your successes—no matter how big or small. Rewarding yourself (but not with food!) will keep you motivated to reach your goals

2. Develop Some New Tools

The key to losing weight, body building and trimming down is changing your lifestyle. This includes reinventing the way you track the foods you eat, where and how often you exercise, and the way you measure success.

 

•  Keep a food and fitness journal to ensure you’re eating 3 well-balanced meals and 2 protein- and fiber-rich snacks daily and that you’re getting regular exercise. If you notice that you are eating the same foods every day, swap them for other seasonal foods, cook them using a different technique, and add some herbs and spices you haven’t tried before to season your dishes. 
• Also write down when you exercise during the week and the kind of workouts you do. Be sure to alternate interval and core exercise on different days

3. Spring Clean Your Eating Routine

 Swap your hearty winter dishes for crisp salads, veggie stir fries, and grilled poultry, lean meats, and fish (for non-vegetarians + vegans). Artichokes, asparagus, avocados, spinach, fiddleheads, fava beans, and sugar snaps are coming into season, as are strawberries, apricots, and cherries. Experimenting with new foods will keep your eating plan fresh. 

4. Take a Break from the Gym

  Does the sea of treadmills, elliptical machines, and free weights at the gym make you feel unmotivated to work out?

If so, it could be a sign that you need to switch up your exercise routine along with the place you do your workouts. Spring is the perfect time to take a break from the gym and head outdoors. You can do interval walking, in which you alternate periods of intense activity with periods of recovery.

Ex. at a school track or around your neighborhood. If you have a dog, play Frisbee at the park to burn some extra calories.

5. Get More Quality Sleep

  If you got less than 8hrs (adult) 9hrs (teens), then you’re not catching enough zzzz’s, and it might be impacting your health! Studies show that being sleep deprived is essential for reaching your weight-loss and health goals, for combating a host of ailments from diabetes and heart disease to colds and flu, and for leading a healthy lifestyle in general. Getting the recommended minimum of 8hrs of quality sleep each night is the place to start.

 Be sure to stick to a regular sleeping schedule, in which you go to bed at about the same time each night (try your best) and wake up at about the same time each morning. 

6. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

  Once you’ve adopted all these strategies, remember to keep your goals firmly in mind and don’t allow small setbacks to get in the way! If you slipped up on your healthy eating plan and ate a cookie or two, or missed a day or two of exercise, don’t beat yourself up over it! Instead just get right back on track and be confident in your ability to reach your goals.

Tip:  Posting visual reminders of success and inspiration can be beneficial too, like hanging a picture of a coveted bathing suit on the refrigerator or a slightly too small dress by their closet door, or following healthy tumblrs can help you stay positive and think twice about giving in to temptation.