It’s the New Year, which means along with all of our well-intentioned, ambitious goal-making, we’ve also embraced some holiday weight, however begrudgingly. Right from that weekend leading into Thanksgiving till the weekend after the New Year began, we’ve been taking extra bites of pie, one too many cocktails, extra helpings, and definitely, extra naps!
According to USamp, more than 7 in 10 Americans listed “losing weight” as one of their New Year’s resolutions, even though 68% of us have failed at keeping that resolution before! So here are some exercises, tips, and tricks to keeping your resolution this year and getting toned.
1. Changing Your Mindset
The most important change you’ll have to make and maintain this year will be the determination to build a healthy lifestyle, not just change the way your body looks! Health isn’t about being skinny or fat; it’s not about getting rid of your thigh jelly or side-boob. It’s about living a life that makes you feel good, that decreases your risk of developing health conditions, and a mental state of mind that increases your confidence. This is possibly the most challenging goal.
Ways to achieve it: write positive sticky notes and stick them on all your mirrors; schedule impromptu 15 minute workouts every day; challenge yourself to make a new “healthy” meal off Pinterest at least 3 times a week; compliment one other person every day; exchange inspirational quotes with your best friend via text every day; and track your progress with selfie photo shoots every week!
2. Using Your Phone
Other than texting your bestie, tracking your body changes, and watching yoga videos a la YouTube, there are tons of weight loss apps that have helped women not only lose weight, but understand their bodies and how it reacts to lifestyle, diet, and behaviors. Some of the most highly rated weight loss apps are MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, Lose It!, Gym Pact, and RunKeeper. Most of these apps tie in critical elements for modern day weight loss – calorie counters, nutritional education, workout monitors, and social media sharing/encouragement from your networks.
3. Follow a Schedule & Keep Track of Your Decisions
When making changes that require constant effort over long periods of time, it’s easy to get frustrated and give up, especially when results take time to show. That’s why keeping a record of your plan will not only motivate you, but will also show you the small changes you’ve been making every day. If you switch in baby carrots for your mid-morning muffin, write it down! Next week, it may help you make a similar decision. Then, when you weigh two pounds less, you can put a smiley face next to your good decisions. If that isn’t motivation enough, find a way to set up a rewards system for yourself. Allow yourself a cheat snack on the weekends or an extra 20 minutes of TV for every 100 crunches. Find out what motivates you and work it into your plan! If you need help creating a plan, check out these guides written by Women’s Health Magazine.
4. Watch YouTube for Free Workout Videos
No, not the Vevo music videos (although these are great if they get you off the couch and moving your booty), but instructional videos. It is mind-boggling how many people pay for Yoga classes, Zumba and Bhangra workouts, and personal trainers when there are hundreds of great videos for free online, that let you slim down and tone up in the expanse of your own home. Don’t worry about looking cute for the gym or whether you can’t find clean socks — lay down a mat in your living room and search for videos by
5. Wii, Games, & Competition
If you don’t have a Wii or none of your friends will play (with) you, try grabbing some friends and playing a game — whether it’s Twister or a competitive round of Duck-Duck-Goose, you’ll get a workout and have fun! If your friends are too busy, try joining a sports league in your neighborhood or city! Sports leagues offer fun competition, friends, and a great way to release some of your work frustration!
For other tips and tricks, follow us on Twitter or tell us your methods of losing weight or keeping your New Years Resolutions!