Cindy’s Top Fitness Tips; Part 2

    

     1.      Be Strong. There are going to be enablers around you 24 /7, trying to wreck your healthy eating habits and your workouts. You’ll hear, “Just take a bite, it won’t hurt you.” YES, IT WILL. “Skip a workout and let’s go grab dinner.” But that dinner will still be there AFTER A WORKOUT! Holiday times are the worst. Misery loves company and if everyone is eating bad foods and feeling guilty they want you to do the same. You need to refrain and have self-control to make the right choices during these times. 

    2.      Set realistic goals. You did not put the weight on overnight, so don’t expect it to come off overnight. Slow and steady wins the race. Make small goals every week and work hard to achieve them. 

    3.      Journal. There are many online nutrition journals where you can log your food daily or simply get a notebook and keep a daily log. There are even apps on smart phones for your convenience now. I think you make better choices when you write down everything you eat and drink. I feel most people don’t realize how quickly the calories add up. This helps you become more aware of what you are putting into your mouth. 

    4.      Get moving! You must have a good exercise program that will keep your heart rate elevated for the duration of your workout. My workout consists of 30 to 45 minutes a day, 6 to 7 times a week of cardio and exercise that consist of using my own body weight of up to 5 lb. dumbbells. With having rheumatoid arthritis, the cardio helps keep my joints nice and loose through the day and the light weight exercise keep my bones strong and help in building muscle tone. 

    5.      Attitude! If you don’t have this one down, you will not reach any goal that you set for yourself. Your attitude will MAKE OR BREAK YOU! A positive attitude will take you further than you can imagine.