How to mix up exercise and food to feel great!
Getting enough exercise and eating healthy can be a daily challenge. We are inundated with unhealthy choices at the supermarket and in our own cupboards. Yet when we do manage to get into a consistent workout routine or load up our plates with fruits and vegetables, it can be a struggle to keep the plan exciting. This is why you have to mix up your exercise and food to feel great, and here's precisely how to accomplish this feat.
Explore Different Exercise Grooves
Your body and mind need variation. Sticking to the same type of exercise each day can be tedious and repetitive. It also may not help you become as fit as you desire since you're exercising the same muscles each time. For variety, try one or more of the following exercise programs. Also, vary the fitness type each day to ensure muscle rotation and best physical fitness.
Yoga and Pilates
Stretching your mind and body can bring out amazing results. Yoga can be as challenging as you make it, and your body really does respond to stretches. The best part about yoga is that the asanas strengthen and tone your muscles while providing deep relaxation.
Pilates is similar to yoga in that it strengthens your muscles and burns serious calories. However, it focuses a lot on your core and can feel more like a cardio workout. Hot inferno Pilates adds heat to the room, making for an intense workout.
High-intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
If you love to hate burpees or squats, HIIT fits the exercise ticket. HIIT combines different exercises done in intervals to increase your heart rate, slow it down, and then boost it again.
For example, you can do one exercise for 30 seconds and then have a 10-second break before moving on to the next. For those who get bored quickly, HIIT provides the distraction you need.
Strength training
Building muscles and strength are essential for any kind of exercise regime. But don’t think you have to bulk up like a bodybuilder. You can try low impact modifications or even strength training with your own body weight. Adding a day or two of lifting weights provides a healthy respite from your cardio burn.
Walking or Running Outside
Getting outside to soak up the breeze whips out the cobwebs and gets your heart rate pumping. While running definitely burns more calories in a shorter amount of time, walking can be equally as healthy. Map out different routes in your neighborhood for variety and make sure you wave to the neighbors.
Play Around with Different Apps
In the last few years, there's now an app for everything. This is especially true for food and exercise. One way to mix up exercise and diet is to have fun with the latest health app.
Invest in a heart rate monitor to discover how much you can burn in 15 minutes. A lot of apps are free and help you monitor your routines. Some popular choices are MyFitnessPal, Fitbit Coach, and Blogilates.
Delight Your Taste Buds
Diet fads come and go, but what is certain is that a plate full of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins keeps you healthy. These superfoods for men and women help you lose weight, balance hormones, and maintain a positive outlook. But don't fall into the rut of believing that eating healthy can't be fun and exciting.
Explore Different Cuisines
One way to mix up your food choices is to explore different kinds of food. Meditteranean cuisine is healthy but packed with flavor. Some typical dishes include eggplant parmesan, shrimp with feta, tomatoes, or olive oil walnut cake.
Or perhaps travel further east to Japan and try your hand at sushi. We live in a diverse world, and indulging in new cuisines is an exploration of culture and taste buds. You'll be surprised by how much fun it can add to your meal.
Make One New Dish a Week
It can be easy to fall into the rut of cooking the same dishes each week. You tend to repeat what you know and love. Yet you can challenge yourself to cook one new food or meal each week.
Break out the cookbooks or explore the myriad of blogs and websites dedicated to food. It can be challenging to find the time to try something new, but it will help you deliciously switch your diet.
Have Food Delivered
Sometimes you don’t have the time to shop or cook. The explosion of food delivery apps in the last few years makes solving this problem pretty simple. Food delivery services run the gamut from family favorites to vegan keto options.
While the cost is more than if you bought the ingredients yourself, the convenience can't be beaten. You can also choose from having ready-made meals delivered or a box of the ingredients with a recipe. Some recipes may make you feel like a Michelin starred chef.
Explore Smoothie Recipes
Did you think smoothies were passé? Think again. Smoothie recipes provide a sweet or savory touch to your diet. You can pretty much add anything to a blender and make it into a smoothie.
The whipped up goodness can also fill you up. You can add peanut butter, dark chocolate powder, or egg whites for added protein and flavor along with your fruits and vegetables.
Maximize Your Workout Routines
You’re putting in all this time and effort to mix up exercise and food to feel great, yet you can maximize your workout routines to shed the pounds faster. You can do this by keeping the following tips in mind.
- watch portion size
- drink plenty of water
- eat a healthy breakfast
- snack wisely
Maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise takes a daily commitment. It's essential to forgive yourself for the occasional cheeseburger and remember it takes one step at a time. What will help is changing foods and routines so that your mind and body believe each day is as exciting as the last.