Are you sick of being overweight and feeling self conscious? Do you find that you don’t really feel like socialising and you can’t remember the last time you went shopping since buying clothes is such an involved process?
You’re not alone. Most of us set a New Year’s resolution to get in shape this year, and now that we’re halfway through the year, most of us have already fallen well off that wagon.
The problem? Humans are results orientated. We often start with super restrictive diets, and while we may see some progress, we quickly end up starving and unhappy and fall off the diet wagon with a massive binge. Or, we begin eating healthy, and when we don’t notice immediate results we end up giving up and throwing in the towel- often right before we were going to begin seeing results.
Here are some ways you can get in shape this year:
Hit the gym
Hitting the gym doesn’t need to mean hours of cardio each week. In fact, most people can think of few things they’d like to do less than slog it out on the crosstrainer. But combining diet with exercise can give you faster results, and a toned bod as you begin to lose fat and build muscle.
The answer? Strength training. By lifting heavy, you’ll begin building lean muscle which actually burns even more fat (even when you’re sitting on the couch). And if you’re a woman, you don’t need to worry about the “bulking up” myth- we simply don’t have the hormones necessary to pack on a lot of muscle without doing specific training and eating a specific way.
Luckily, Groupon has partnered with a bunch of stores, and is helping us make healthy choices without breaking the bank. One of these partnerships is 24 Hour Fitness, so check it out if you’re looking for a new gym.
Make smart choices
Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? The fact is, you’re not going to eat perfectly healthy every second of every day. But if you eat healthy foods 80% of the time, you’ll be able to see some serious progress.
Groupon has also partnered with a number of other brands and stores, so you can make some great changes this year. Need a new smoothie maker? Check out Best Buy. Desperate for some cute workout gear? You can even get a Groupon voucher for Nike.
If you’re not sure where to start with your eating, consider trying IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros). The idea is to eat a certain amount of calories every day so you’re in a deficit, while eating the correct amount of protein, carbs, and fats based on your body type and activity level.
If you’re ready to change your body this year, implement these tips and get healthy without breaking the bank.
