Start On Your Fitness Goals Before Saying Goodbye to 2020

Have you felt the sudden motivation to get fit while under lockdown? And yet at the same time, despite several attempts, you still can't manage to make steady progress? If this is what you've been experiencing so far, you've found the right place to get the answers you need.

The early months of quarantine gave us a stark realization of the time we could have for ourselves. Taking away commute and travel from our daily routine meant we're given an extra couple of hours of leisure or more time to do productive work. Still for some, like yourself, it meant finally having the opportunity to pursue your fitspiration. But staying committed to a routine is a feat, even while under house arrest. You could go for a week following an exercise regimen, and by the next, you're picking up old habits.

You're only a couple of months away from the new year, and here's your last chance to fulfill your fitness goals. Here are some tips to help you out.

Personalize your regimen

Keep in mind that settling for a one-size-fits-all exercise routine might not give you the same results as it did others. We're all built differently. And that's why the methods to tone and shape our bodies should also vary. More importantly, you need to acknowledge that your body will need time before it's ready to take on more advanced workouts.

Dance workouts could be stimulating and fun cardio to try out. Grooving to your favorite beats could ease the physical drain and may even motivate you to last longer. But at the end of the day, what matters more is making positive habits out of these practices. Don't worry if you've yet to see the desired results. You'll get there. For now, it's about making a change that you want to stick with.

Find an accountability partner

Avoid going astray with a workout buddy that holds you accountable. It may be challenging to keep yourself motivated on your own. With a partner by your side, they can help you keep track of your progress and make you less likely to skip the day's exercise. They can be your daily reminder of why you're taking this journey in the first place.

You may also opt to start a fitness journal to see how far you've come. You can write down what has worked so far and what hasn't. This will make it easier to see what else you can work on and what techniques you can further try.

Fuel up and recover the right way

The key to successful fitness is knowing how to supply and replenish your body's nutrients. Being smarter about the food you eat can open more doors for your performance.

For serious athletes, workout nutrition plays a crucial role to achieve their specific goals. Whether it's to build muscle or improve their endurance, the amount of nutrients they consume as well as the timing of their meals matter in optimizing their energy levels, fat burn, muscle strength, and recovery.

There are several factors to consider in forming an effective pre- and post-workout meal plan. And these considerations will mostly depend on your intended goals. But even if you are just beginner, you can already take this practice into your exercise regimen. A key note to remember is that you would want a combination of high-quality carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats before and after your workout. Here is where you can start.

Before your exercise, you'd want to eat a meal concentrating on carbohydrates with a moderate amount of protein, and minimal fat. Carbohydrates digest rapidly in your system which provides you with a ready energy source. Meanwhile, protein can reduce muscle damage and the fat assists in maintaining your sugar levels. These won't just be the key to a more efficient performance, but it's also going to lessen the feeling of fatigue during exercise.

Whole-grain cereal with non-fat milk can be an ideal choice as a pre-workout meal. Gullon's Vitalday Yogurt Crunch Biscuits can also be a quick snack before diving into your regular session.

After your workout, focus on rehydrating yourself by drinking plenty of water. Food that is high in water content is also an ideal choice. Make sure to consume carbohydrates after your exercise to help you refuel, along with a higher amount of protein that will aid in muscle repair. Peanut butter on apple slices and brown rice can work as post-workout meals. You may want to check out NutriBrownRice as a convenient after-workout drink. Each cup offers an abundant source of protein, dietary fiber, and calcium for your support.

It's challenging to stay true to your fitness goals, especially when you can think of many excuses to dissuade yourself. But now that you're just a few moments away from bidding goodbye to 2020 why not finish it off with a celebration of what you've accomplished? We're rooting for you. — (TGM)