The Lazy Girl’s Guide
to achieving fitness goals easier
If you want to lose a few pounds and get in shape but don’t really like working out, or simply can’t find enough time for it, you’ll be happy to know that there are ways in which you can achieve your goals without hitting the gym every day or jogging every morning. With a couple of tips, a bit of effort, and some patience, you can look just as good as any Instagram model ‒ and here’s how.
• Find an Activity you Enjoy
Working out doesn’t necessarily require going to the gym. On the contrary, if you associate getting fit with going to the gym, you might fail to see other possibilities that are just as likely to help you get in shape. For example, if you love nature, you can go on hikes or start rock-climbing; if you love swimming, you can do it for fun at your local pool.
In other words, if you find something you love, you won’t see it as an exercise but as a hobby that you enjoy (and that just so happens to help you look good).
• Change your Lifestyle
Small alterations to your lifestyle can do wonders for your physique. For instance, take the stairs instead of the elevator, cycle to work instead of drive, and get up from your office chair from time to time.
Even the way you sit at work can influence your physical appearance; sitting up straight and taking deep breaths can improve your core strength and keep your blood flowing.
• Get Plenty of Sleep
This will probably be your favourite tip on this list ‒ get your beauty sleep. Sleeping can help you burn calories, while sleep deprivation can slow down your metabolism and make you crave sweets and carbs. In other words, more sleep = less easting. In general, adults should be getting between seven and eight hours of sleep every night ‒ but there are also those lucky few that need less than that (but you’re probably not one of them).
• Wear the Right Clothes
Sometimes, it is what you wear that makes you less motivated to be active. If you are constantly in your skinny jeans and sweatshirts, of course, you won’t feel like stretching your legs. So, get some quality women’s gym singlets and see how you feel about getting active then.
Also, just because they are called “gym singlets”, it doesn’t mean you have to actually hit the gym ‒ everything previously-mentioned still counts, this just means that you should be “dressed for the occasion”.
• Stay Hydrated
One of the most common tips that you’ve probably heard before ‒ but nevertheless has to be mentioned ‒ is that you should drink plenty of water. The thing is, your body can’t burn fat properly if it’s dehydrated, and drinking lots of water can also speed up your metabolism. Furthermore, if you think water is “boring”, there are also many healthy replacements ‒ and you can always spice it up with fruits and let it sit overnight for healthy and delicious flavoured water the next morning.
• Be Realistic
We often discourage ourselves by setting unrealistic goals. Instead of aiming to lose ten pounds by the end of the month, aim to walk to work every day or drink water regularly. By setting more realistic goals, you are more likely to stay motivated in the long run. Therefore, be patient (but persistent), and go easy on yourself ‒ you will get where you want to be sooner than you think.
You don’t need to go to the gym every day or run five miles every morning in order to be fit. What you do need to do, though, is be active and take care of your metabolism. So, find an activity that you enjoy doing. Get plenty of sleep every night. Adopt a couple of healthy habits, stay hydrated, and set realistic goals. If you manage to set up a healthy routine and stick to it, have no doubt that the results will show. It will definitely be worth the effort.
by Peter Minkoff
fashion stylist & chief editor @ highstylife
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