The human body is an amazing thing. It has the ability to adapt and change in response to the demands we place on it. However, sometimes we can get stuck in a rut, feeling like we’re not making any progress. For many of us, one of the most common goals we set for ourselves is to lose weight, get in shape, and improve our overall health. But these goals can be difficult to achieve, especially if you don’t have a plan or are unsure where to start.
If you find that you’re not as successful in achieving your body goals as you’d like to be and you are looking to improve your health and fitness, here are ways to help you achieve your body goals before the end of the year!
1. Set realistic and achievable goals
It is difficult to make wholesale changes to your lifestyle. To be successful in making significant improvements to your health, it is important to set realistic and achievable goals. When your goals are realistic and achievable, you are more likely to stay motivated and stick with your healthy habits long-term.
Here are some tips for setting realistic and achievable goals:
- Set small, manageable goals. Instead of vowing to lose 50 pounds, set a goal to lose 5 pounds.
- Make a plan. Once you have set your goals, develop a plan of action. This will help you stay on track and reach your goals.
- Set a deadline. Giving yourself a timeframe will help you stay focused and motivated.
- Share your goals. Telling others about your goals will help you stay accountable and on track.
- Be flexible. Life happens
2. Find a workout buddy
When trying to achieve any sort of goal, it’s always helpful to have someone to help you along the way. This is especially true when it comes to working out and getting in shape. A workout buddy can help motivate you, push you to your limits, and keep you accountable.
But how do you find a workout buddy that’s right for you? Here are a few things to consider:
- What are your goals? Make sure your workout buddy has similar goals to you. This will help you stay on track and motivated.
- What’s your schedule like? Choose a buddy who has a similar schedule to you. This way, you can easily find time to workout together.
- What’s your personality like? It’s important to choose a buddy whose personality meshes well with yours. You should be able to have fun together, even while sweating and pushing yourself to your limits.
- What’s your fitness level? Ideally, you want someone who is at a similar fitness level to you. If one of you is just starting out, and the other is a seasoned gym-goer, it could be challenging to find workouts that work for both of you.
- Where should you look for a workout buddy? You can ask a friend or coworker who you know enjoys fitness. You can also join fitness classes or groups and find someone there who shares your interests. Additionally, there are several apps that can help you find a workout buddy, such as PumpUp.
Once you’ve found a workout buddy, make sure to set goals together and hold each other accountable. Consistency is key when trying to achieve fitness goals, and having someone to push you and support you can make all the difference.
3. Incorporate strength training into your routine
The human body is designed to move, and when we don’t use our muscles they can weaken and atrophy. Strength training is a great way to keep your muscles healthy and prevent injuries. It can also help you achieve your body goals, whether you want to build muscle, lose fat, or improve your athletic performance.
There are many different ways to strength train, and you can find programs to suit your individual needs and goals. If you’re new to strength training, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and volume of your workouts. You should also focus on using proper form to avoid injuries.
Strength training is an important part of a well-rounded fitness routine. It can help you achieve your body goals and maintain a healthy body.
4. Set yourself up for success by prepping your meals
If you’re looking to achieve your body goals, one of the best things you can do is prep your meals in advance. This will help you to make better choices when it comes to food, as well as to stick to your diet more easily.
Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Simply choose a day of the week to do your cooking, and then make enough food to last you for a few meals. You can cook a big batch of roasted veggies, for example, or make a big pot of soup or chili. Then, portion out the food into individual containers and store them in the fridge.
Whenever you need a meal, simply grab one of your containers and you’re all set. With meal prepping, you can make healthy eating easier and more convenient, which will help you to achieve in the long run.
5. Make time for defunding
As we all know, achieving our body goals requires time, energy, and consistency. And one of the best ways to make sure we’re consistently putting in the work is to create and stick to a schedule. But sometimes, life gets in the way and our schedule gets thrown off. That’s why it’s important to have a few defunding strategies in our back pocket.
Defunding is the practice of making time for yourself and your goals by cutting out activities that don’t serve you. It can be anything from saying no to social invitations to skipping your weekly Netflix binge. Whatever it is, defunding gives you the time and space you need to focus on your body goals.
6. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
As we all know, water is essential for life. But did you know that it’s also essential for achieving your body goals? Whether you’re trying to lose weight, gain muscle, or just look and feel your best, proper hydration is key.
When you’re properly hydrated, your body functions at its best. You have more energy, your skin looks better, and you’re less likely to experience cravings and unhealthy hunger pangs. Plus, when you’re well-hydrated, you’re less likely to experience joint pain, headaches, and other common ailments.
So how much water should you be drinking? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including your age, activity level, and climate. But a good rule of thumb is to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.
7. Get enough sleep
Most people know they should be getting around eight hours of sleep per night, but few actually achieve this. If you’re serious about achieving your body goals, whether that’s losing weight, building muscle, or simply improving your health, then you need to make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
Sleep is essential for recovery and growth, and it also plays a role in regulating metabolism. If you’re not getting enough sleep, your body will not be able to recover properly from your workouts and you’ll be more likely to store fat instead of building muscle.
So how can you make sure you’re getting enough sleep? Here are a few tips:
- Establish a regular sleep schedule and stick to it as much as possible.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed.
- Avoid working out too close to bedtime.
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath or reading a book.
- Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet.
- Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows.
It’s also important to listen to your body and give it the rest it needs. If you wake up feeling tired, try to adjust your sleep schedule or habits to see what works best for you. Remember, consistent and quality sleep is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle.
8. Manage stress
No matter what your fitness goals are, reducing stress should be part of your plan. That’s because when you’re stressed, your body goes into survival mode, which can make it harder to lose weight, build muscle, and generally feel your best.
So how do you reduce stress as part of your fitness journey? Here are a few tips:
- Set realistic goals
Trying to do too much at once is a recipe for stress. When goal-setting, be realistic about what you can reasonably achieve in the short and long term.
- Make time for yourself:
When you’re trying to juggle work, family, and fitness goals, it’s important to make time for yourself. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, going for a walk, or just taking a few minutes to meditate, find an activity that helps you unwind and prioritize it in your schedule.
- Get enough sleep:
Adequate sleep is essential for reducing stress levels. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to help your body recover and function at its best.
- Practice mindfulness:
Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation techniques can help lower stress levels and improve overall well-being.
- Surround yourself with positive support:
Building a supportive social network can help reduce stress and keep you motivated on your fitness journey. Surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you.
- Take breaks:
It’s important to give your body and mind sufficient breaks to rest and recover from exercise and other stressors. Incorporate rest days into your fitness routine and take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge.
By making stress reduction part of your fitness plan, you’ll not only feel better overall, but you’ll also be more likely to achieve your fitness goals in a healthy and sustainable way.