Diet tips for fitness goals

image courtesy: exerciseforweightloss

Getting fit seems to be the craze right now, and for all the good reasons. Not only is it a great way to improve your health, but also to stay happy and lead an active lifestyle. We all strike for fitness goals and would love to be as fit as any sports personality. However, it is equally important to go about it the right way. Sharing with you few do’s and don’ts.

1. Don't Be Afraid to Build Muscle

Many women believe that the only way to build muscle is through lifting weights. Simply put: that's not true. Resistance training using tools like your body weight, resistance bands and medicine balls is a great way to not only build muscle, but sculpt and re-shape your body with lean muscle. The best way to begin re-shaping your body is to begin a resistance training workout three times per week.

2. Set Realistic Goals

When you start on a new fitness regime, it's very easy to get influenced by others around you. Whilst it's good to use others for motivation, it's extremely important to not get sucked into setting unrealistic expectations of yourself. Setting a goal and not achieving it, especially when you have given your all can be extremely demoralizing. Ensure that you set achievable goals and make subtle progress rather than push yourself to meet great expectations.

3. Don't Obsess Over Scales This is lot more relevant to people who are trying to lose weight. Your goal should always be to lose body fat, and not just weight. Focus on losing centimeters and not your weight. Access your stamina, ask yourself if you are able to run faster and longer, hold a plank or lift harder. Sometimes you can lose a few centimeters but the scale won't reflect it. So, don't let the weighing scale rule your life.

4. Have Fun

There's no law that says exercise has to be boring. Most trainers and everyday people who have lost weight and kept it off know that exercise should be fun. Work out by doing what you love. If you love dance, Zumba is a great way to get your blast of cardio. If you seek a challenging workout that involves interval training and resistance workouts, then an outdoor boot camp is for you.

5. Manage Stress

This one is often under rated, but is extremely important. Stress can impact your fitness goals negatively. Learn to have fun in your life, and try to add some structured activities in your schedule, so that you have something to look forward to each week. Sleep is a very powerful tool in managing stress; make sure you get adequate sleep every night. Don't let the trial and error way of thinking derail your attempts at sculpting your body and making lifestyle changes that will last a lifetime.

6. Build a Healthy Relationship with Food

There is no good food or bad food. Every food has its place in your diet. You just have to pick the right time and right quantities. If you are actively looking to lose few kilos, then you have to watch the intake of your junk food or sugary treats.

These tips are tried and true and brought to you so you don't have to experience all the common fitness pitfalls that can slow your progress.

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