some of the most important health & fitness tips I wish someone told me when I started out:
modify your moves. Don’t worry if you can’t squat down all the way or can’t run for too long, you can only get better from here!
I don’t care what your hyperactive fitness instructor tells you - drink your water and take a break if you need it. you are not a machine. don’t destroy your health trying to get fit
protein and carbs are your friends
don’t ask random blogs on tumblr serious health questions you could look up or ask a doctor
don’t try to match your instructor’s pace during a workout. It’s form, not speed. Do not compete with them. 10 good lunges > 20 sloppy ones
don’t have weights? Find something heavy - a textbook, water bottles, whatever works for you
IF YOU ARE HURT DO NOT WORK OUT
IF YOU ARE TIRED AND EXHAUSTED DO NOT WORK OUT
PUSHING YOURSELF TO “THE LIMIT” DOES NOT MEAN WORKING OUT UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO THROW UP
Always do a quick warm up and cool down
Treat yourself often
forget workout clothes. You don’t need Nikes and expensive yoga pants. An old tee shirt and some cheap gym shorts will do just fine
Stay hydrated
Trial and error. Success is a bumpy road
Do not compare your chapter one to someone else’s chapter 10
Fitspo posts and before & afters are great but remember you can be the same height & weight as someone and never look like them. You never know the full story behind that picture
Try not to measure your progress in strictly numbers
Calories do not reflect nutrition.
Peanut butter is higher in fat but are healthy fats
Fruits have natural sugar in them that your body needs DO NOT AVOID FRUITS
1200 calories is barely enough to survive
Please do not do just cardio alone
Quality over quantity. A 30 minute intense workout will always beat a half ass 2 hour elliptical workout
Try different things. You may like running, you may not. Maybe yoga, swimming, dance, hiking, etc. Try things out.
YOU WILL NOT BULK UP NO ONE ACCIDENTALLY BULKS UP
All you need is your body to work out. Don’t stress over gyms
Do it for YOU. Not the boys and the crop tops and the “stares”
Rest days are essential. Take as many as you need. Never skip a rest day, your body needs to heal
Losing weight does not guarantee happiness. It never does. Don’t put your other problems on hold to focus on your body, they’ll catch up with you ten fold later and it’s not fun
