4 Fitness Rules To Live By

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performance crop top, windbreaker, salutation high rise leggings, Nike running shoes

If you read this past Friday’s Simply Smitten then you would know that I have finished the Body Conception’s fitness challenge. Now that is it over I am have major withdrawals. I was working out 5-6 days a week, sometimes twice a day. My body was getting used to the rigorous schedule. I do think it is good to take a break and try other workouts, but I want to get back to the high intensity workouts.

Fitness is something that I am pretty passionate about. I love the way it makes me feel. I love the chance to get out any frustration or built up energy. I love the way it makes me look or at least have a more positive body image. Working out will always be a big part of my life. I realized the other day that I have been active since I was 3 years old– dancing, playing sports, cheerleading, working out. That is over 20 (cough) some years of putting stress on my body. With that being said I have picked up a thing or two about working out–what works, what doesn’t work, how to be smart while working out, etc. And by no means am I an expert or some fitness guru, these are things that I know that works best for my body.

performance crop top, windbreaker, salutation high rise leggings, Nike running shoes

Since working out has become second nature to me, I sat down the other day and really thought about what fitness tips I live by. Maybe it is better to call them rules instead of tips.  Whatever you want to call them, these are things that make working out more efficient, safer, and motivating. I came up with 4, but would love to hear if you have any rules you live by?

Listen To Your Body

Listen to your body, listen to your body, listen to your body, listen to your body…. get it? It is SO important to know what your body needs and wants. The smartest thing I have ever done is finally learn how to listen to my body. I grew up dancing where I was taught to push through pain. So now even if I find my hip hurts or my knees are aching, I push through it to finish the workout. I learned  the hard way when I didn’t listen to my hamstring hurting and I ended up barley being able to walk without pain. Now I really listen to my body and know what exercises are good for me and what exercises I should modify. I am not telling you the second you feel discomfort or pain to stop, just know the difference between good pain and bad pain. Good pain is a burning sensation and your muscles will feel shaky. Bad pain is feeling like you are about to tear something, being out of alignment, or a sharp pain. I also listen to my body in what type of exercise it needs— whether I need to do more yoga, need cardio, or more strength training I will do it. Your body is always sending signals as to what it needs– you just have to learn to listen to it.

Modifications Are Good For You 

Jumping off of the last rule, there is no shame in modifying a movement if you feel like your body needs to. I am well-known for completely doing another movement if I think the movement that is given to the class is not good for my knees or body. I was in class the other day and we were doing awkward positions with 3 lb weights on our ankles…. not smart. I could feel my knees and hips completely out of alignment and tugging at my joints.  It does not matter who or what fitness program you are attending, know that when your body is out of alignment and you truly feel like this isn’t right, don’t do it. Especially if the instructor is not going around correcting placements. Modify the movement– go on your knees instead of a plank, don’t use weights at all, don’t do the jump instead hop, or do as I do and completely dismiss the movement and do whatever the heck you feel like. I am not saying to disrespect the teacher and namaste the entire time while everyone else is killing themselves, I am simply saying there is no shame in modifying your movements. In fact I think some modifications are a little harder to do.  As long as you are moving you are working out!

No Excuses

There is never a good enough excuse to not work out everyday. Even if you do not belong to a gym there are plenty of at-home workouts you can do on YouTube and given by fitness programs. Even if you are someone who does not enjoy lifting weights or HIIT workouts or even doing yoga, go on a walk. Walk to work instead of taking the subway. Park farther away from the store so you have to take a longer walk. Take the stairs. Walk the dog or play outside with your kids. If you are someone who likes to workout, get up earlier to hit the gym or go during lunch time. Find something that you love. Exercising should be fun– something that you love to do, not something you feel obligated to do. It is a chance to take a half hour to an hour for just you. No work obligations or kids to take care of, only you. So do it for you– no excuses to skip.

Food Is The Key, Exercise Is For Fun.

Unfortunately you can’t only exercise your way to weight loss, you have to change your eating habits. And unfortunately you are what you eat. I think of food this way– something that nurtures us, gives us energy, grows us, and helps us. And I think of this when I get a craving for junk food: “why waste so much time in the gym if I am going to ruin it by eating this crap”. I never feel good if I eat unhealthy, processed, greasy foods. Never have. I realized that I only feel great when I am eating healthy foods. Food is the real key to weight loss and a healthy body. Sure you should have balance, please have balance– have a margarita, plunge that chip into the guac, but also spend the rest of the week eating clean healthy meals. Eating whole foods and exercising daily are the keys to a happy and healthy mind, body, and spirit.