There’s so much more to looking good and feeling fit than just building up your muscles. Fitness starts, for many, from the inside of the body. They see it truly as a combination of connecting fitness with the right mindset. The western culture has lost this connection between the mind and body. We typically take on the latest fitness craze and fad diet, only to fail a few weeks later. Reconnecting your mindset with your fitness goals will help you maintain a lifelong regiment of good health.
To really focus on your fitness goals you need to think about health and fitness from the inside out. You also need to feel good about yourself. If there is anything you can change do it! Perhaps you’re feeling stressed at work or in a relationship, which as a result, can cause some to choose unhealthy foods or drink excessively looking for that quick fix.
Here are five tips to help you develop a healthy mindset in order to meet your health and fitness goals, and most importantly, help you stick to them!
Regular Health Checkups
Make sure to attend all of your regular health checkups to get your latest blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar checked. This will ensure you have a clean bill of health before starting any exercise routine and in turn will flag any potential health issues. Make sure you raise any concerns that you have with your physician.
Eat Healthy
The old adage of “you are what you eat” is true and not just an old wives tale. If you eat foods that are considered healthy, you will automatically feel healthier. Try to avoid processed foods, added sugar, alcohol, caffeine and unhealthy fats. Include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet. Eat whole grain foods, adequate protein and keep hydrated with plenty of water.
Sleep
Sleep is the bodies opportunity to regenerate. Getting too little or too much sleep can affect our physical and mental health in a major way. A lack of sleep can affect the whole body, causing lack of concentration, reduced motor skills, impaired immune system and even our cardiovascular health. Feeling exhausted will tempt you to eat unhealthy foods as your body will crave carbohydrates and sugar to give you energy.
Try to get into natural daylight during the day. Artificial lights and darkness doesn’t provide us with a clear definition between night and day. Avoid looking at your smartphone before bed and don’t drink any caffeine after 2 pm. If all else fails visit your medical practitioner.
Exercise
The combination of exercise and a healthy diet are what ultimately enables you to reach your version of optimal health. Set clear goals and start gradually before progressing. Mix up your routines for variety so that you don’t become bored. Seek expert advice from a qualified personal trainer as to how to develop the best routine customized for your needs. Most importantly, use Jefit app to help track and stick to your goals.
Be more consistent and make small changes to your lifestyle. Once you have formed the habit of keeping yourself healthy – you are on your way. The habit becomes “ingrained in your brain.” Exercise will help to reduce stress in your life, in addition to keeping you healthier, both mentally and physically.
Work More on Your Mobility
Mobility refers to the ability to move freely around a specific joint. When you have healthy range of motion (ROM) in all the joints, your body is free to move and adjust to its position in the most efficient way. As a result, activities and movement are more natural and less restrictive. When you have sufficient joint mobility you also get more out of your workouts at the gym. As a result of inactivity, chronic stress, and aging, your ROM and mobility begin to decrease. It is important that a regular mobility routine is incorporated into your exercise program. Specific areas should be addressed to improve joint mobility such as the hips, shoulders and lumbar and thoracic spine as a start.
Hopefully you can incorporate some of these tips into your lifestyle and exercise routine as you improve your own fitness level from the inside out.
Stay Strong Together
Jefit is a gym workout app that helps all gym goers and athletes keep track of their fitness goals. Not only does it give you the ability to update and share your workout log with the supportive community, it has the largest exercise library that covers both weight training and cardio.
