Many people ask me how to quickly and easily get fit. While I know they are hoping for a simple answer, the reality is that getting and staying fit is a lifestyle, not a quick fix.
So what do fit people do in their “healthy lifestyle”? Take a peek with the following 7 Habits of Highly Fit People…
Fit Habit #1: They Don’t Buy Junk
Fit people know that if they keep junk food in the house they will eat it sooner or later. So they don’t buy any. Even buying junk food for your kids or spouse is not advised since 1) you’ll likely eat some of it eventually, and 2) your loved ones shouldn’t be eating that junk either. It’s called junk for a reason.
Rid your home of chips, cookies, candy, baked goods, pre-packaged snacks and anything else that belongs in a vending machine. Replace the above with fresh fruit, veggies, nuts and other healthy whole foods snacks.
One of the decisions that have made the biggest impact on my fitness results this year is to stop buying ice-cream on weekends. Even though I was able to get away with maintaining a lean bodyfat level while eating icecream every weekend, it wasn't until I stopped taking it home each week that I started to see significant changes in my physique. The best solution to resisting your cravings is to not have that food available in the house in the first place!
Fit Habit #2: They Have Priorities
Fit people make exercise a priority. Along with keeping a job, paying the bills and going to the doctor, exercise is an important part of their lives. What I’ve found is that fit people put exercise before leisure time. Sure, fit people enjoy leisure, but it is scheduled around their workout time.
Treat exercise time with the same importance that you would a business meeting or trip to the dentist. Some of my fittest clients, the ones who have made massive body transformations with me, were able to because they did not allow their health and fitness to fall below the top of their priority list. They made time to get enough exercise done every week and made the extra effort to stay on the ball with their nutrition, week in week out. In my own case, even with 20+ clients to take care of each week I still make sure I never miss a training session; in the past 4 years of 5-day-a-week training i've probably missed a total of 3 weeks. Not allowing your training time to be compromised should just become second-nature - this is really the attitude you need to approach your fitness goals if you are serious about achieving them.
Fit Habit #3: They Stop When Full
Fit people stop eating when they feel full. Sound simple? It is, but how many times have you stuffed yourself simply to clear your plate? Or how many times have you eaten another piece of cake despite being stuffed?
The next time you feel full, take it as a sign to stop eating. Yes, even if your plate isn’t empty.
Fit Habit #4: They Push Themselves
Not only do fit people make time to go to the gym, they challenge themselves during each workout. While it is easy to simply go through the motions while exercising, you’re cheating your body out of great results when you don’t push yourself. Exercise should make you sweat, make your muscles burn, and leave you with a feeling of accomplishment.
Find ways to make each workout more challenging. For competitive people, the best way to push yourself is to exercise with a friend of similar strength. Another great way to challenge yourself is to set small attainable goals. These goals could be to push heavier weight, to sprint longer, or to do cardio at a higher intensity setting.
Fit Habit #5: They Don’t Eat and Watch
Fit people know that eating in front of the T.V. is mindless eating. When your attention is on your entertainment and not on your food, then you’ll be less tuned in to what and how much ends up in your mouth. Eating in front of the T.V. is also very habit forming. Ever notice how you crave munchies just as a reflex of sitting in front of the T.V.?
Eat before or after your entertainment and pay attention to what and how much goes into your mouth.
Fit Habit #6: They Drink Water
Fit people drink lots of water. And not just in addition to other beverages, but instead of them. Water is their main drink, while other drinks are occasional treats. Calorie-filled drinks are one of the quickest ways to consume excess calories which quickly turn into fat.
Consider water your beverage of choice. Drink plenty of it each day and drink other beverages only a few times each week.
Fit Habit #7: They Are Accountable
Fit people don’t leave their motivation to chance. They know that if their personal trainer, boot camp instructor or workout partner is waiting for them, then they are less likely to skip a workout. It is so easy to hit snooze or to talk yourself out of the gym as soon as your behind hits the couch after work. Fit people take the option of skipping out of the equation. And one of the best ways to do this is to make yourself accountable - not only to yourself but to someone who will constantly check in on you and make sure you aren't bailing out. Having someone around who is just as invested in your fitness journey as you are is one of the most powerful steps you can take towards improving your results - it's almost like you now have the power of two (or more) people working towards your individual goal!
I hope that these habits have inspired you to make a change for the fitter in your own life.
If you already do some of these habits then congratulations – you are on your way to a better body. Make an effort to incorporate the rest of the habits to take your results to the next level.
If none, or very few, of these habits describe your lifestyle, then I’ve got good news – you now have 7 effective new habits to start that will get you some awesome results. Don’t try to tackle all 7 at once – pick one or two to add each week and gradually work up to all 7.
