Look, we know not everybody is into cardio. While your bff might be trying to drag you to her Zumba class, we all know it may not be your thing.
If you’re just not into it, don’t worry, you have options. Does your goal involve losing fat and simply getting in shape? Well then guess what, it’s not entirely necessary to spend hours sweating your buns off.
Instead, you just need to work these strategies into your weekly routine. Not only can you skip the cardio, but there’s also a good chance you’ll see better results anyway.
You know your friends that have Fitbits or Bellabeats that are always trying to get their steps? That should be you, too.
Setting a daily step goal for yourself means ensuring that you keep moving throughout the day. Try to aim for at least 10,000 steps, or more if you can. (While you can use most smartphones for this, a fitness tracker may prove more accurate.)
Not reaching your goal? A quick 30-minute walk can help you get in a lot more steps than you might expect. So, go get some fresh air.
Yeah, you knew it was coming. Healthy eating is incredibly important to losing weight and staying fit.
We know you already know to avoid refined sugars and processed carbs. Put the sugary snacks or the donut down. Instead, you should be eating nutrient-rich foods like vegetables and fruits.
Additionally, you should make sure you’re getting plenty of protein, too. Typically, you’ll want to aim for around 0.8 grams of protein for each kilogram of body weight. However, this can be increased if to 1.2 grams you’re aiming to gain muscle.
If you’re trying to trim down, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit. This is so you’ll burn more than you take in. You should not be restricting your food intake below 1,000 calories a day, however. Not only can this actually slow your metabolism, but it also has a lot of other nasty side effects, too.
A dietician can help you determine just how many calories you should be eating per day.
We said you could avoid cardio, but we didn’t say to skip the gym entirely. Not only does strength training help you gain muscle, but it also helps burn fat.
About three to four times a week, you should incorporate weights into your routine. Feel free to use whatever equipment you prefer and don’t worry about gaining bulk. Trust us, even if you lift heavier weights, you aren’t going to suddenly turn into the Hulk overnight.
Stress may have a bigger impact on your weight loss goals than you might imagine. When stressed, your body releases the stress hormone cortisol, which is – unfortunately – an appetite stimulant.
Yeah, that’s why many of us are prone to stress eating.
This is why it’s crucial to find ways to relax, be it meditation, reading, or taking a walk. (Hey, you can get those steps in!)
Poor sleep also leads to increased cortisol production as well. So, it’s also important to practice good sleep hygiene and aim to get about seven hours of sleep a night.
