Fit for Life: The Mindset that Changes Your Health Journey
Hey there, fitness friends! If you find yourself bouncing between the hottest fitness fads, trying to follow complex diets, and feeling guilty for missing workouts here and there, you are definitely not alone. We have all been there. But as I said at the beginning of this article, it doesn’t have to be this way. The beautiful, freeing idea of “fit for life,” changes the game! Being fit for life is not about working out every day in the gym or counting every calorie you eat, it is a more comprehensive approach to your health and wellness that takes into consideration balance, sustainability, and fun. So let’s explore what it means to be fit for life, and how to start your fit for life journey today!
Adopting a Comprehensive Mindset
When I first began my personal fitness experience, my interpretation of being fit was solely about how you present how you look or about following a rigidly defined approach. In reality, being fit for life means paying attention to your overall health and wellness. As far as being fit is concerned, it can involve your physical, mental, and your emotional health. Here are a few aspects of your wellness to consider:
1.Physical Activity: Find Your Joy!
No two ways about it—grinding through an exercise regimen you hate is the perfect equation for getting burnt out. Rather put an effort toward experimenting with a variety of activities until you find something worth doing. Perhaps it is dancing, hiking, or yoga. Personally, Zumba is my favorite! An entertaining way to get the heart rate up, while dancing and giggling like no one is watching.
2.Mindful Eating: Nourish, not Deprive
Be done with thinking on your diet emergency built around “no carbs” or “no sugar.” Take care of your body by preparing and eating whole foods with color! Again, a key factor to make your experience successful is to enjoy preparing food and being open to new recipes. I remember the first time I tried a plant based meal and thought, wow! This was so good and filling! Remember to be fit for life you have to check in with your body, and feed what it wants (with pleasure and without guilt).
3. Rest and recovery: your best friends
Rest is not just a luxury, but a must! Your body needs time to recover and restore its energy, whether this is MO for a good long weekend and book reading session or embedding their practice of ‘taking things slow’ – having some downtime. I always find that some of my most interesting ideas emerge during this quiet time.
4. You’re not alone, the uplifting support of others can make all the difference:
The ability to connect with others who are on a similar journey provides you with the opportunity to share your goals, laugh about hard days, and enjoy victories and accomplishments regardless of size. I joined a local fitness community, and it changed my entire journey! to interact and discuss experiences with others who are just as passionate, and enthusiastic is uplifting and motivation is contagious.
5. Community support:
just the fact that you are engaged means you are making progress while the goal of perfection is not the focus: More importantly, every little step counts. Your goal may be as small as drinking more water at work; or a brief walk after lunch; and every small step accumulates confidence and motivation with follow through! I personally began with just a commitment of five minutes of movement per day, and I easily achieve 30 minutes of activity now!
The Fit for Life Lifestyle: A Daily Practice
Having a “fit for life” mentality is a process—not a destination. It takes commitment, reflection, and very very importantly, patience. As you explore new methods of becoming a healthier version of yourself, pay attention to how those methods makes you feel. Do they give you energy? Do they take energy away from you? Do they create happiness within you or create stress? You will eventually find the things that support you and help to create a better you.
Ultimately, your goal should be to develop a lifestyle you love that supports your health and allows you to thrive. Are you ready to commit to being fit for life? Let’s support one another and cheer each other on in making this world a more healthy and happy place.
Remember – fit for life doesn’t mean fit for now – it means being fit for life! Here is to living our best lives, one step at a time!
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