5 Ways to Stay Fit

Sophia Belnap

To be fit and healthy, you don't have to commit to working out for hours every day and eating just chicken and steamed broccoli for every meal. In truth, there are some more effective (and less painful!) practices you can start now that will both help you get in shape quickly and help you stay in shape over time.

These habits are simple to include in your daily routine and will help you stay healthy and fit for life.

1. Nourish Yourself

Although it may appear paradoxical, attempting to be "perfect" with your eating on a long-term basis is not a smart method to get or stay in shape. Depriving yourself of dessert and other things you enjoy will just lead to a binge of those same items when your willpower fails.

Instead, try implementing the 80/20 rule: Eat healthily for around 80% of the time, then indulge in a few pleasures here and then. Just make sure they're exceptional!

Vegetables are not to everyone's taste. Although you currently enjoy vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale daily, there may have been periods in your life when all you wanted to eat was mac & cheese).

Vegetables, however, are high in critical nutrients that keep your body healthy, and their fiber content keeps you full. So, if you're not a fan of plain salads, try these ideas to spice up your veggies: Roast them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper; add them in a tasty stir fry, or put them into a juicer and chug them. You're considerably more likely to consume vegetables on a regular basis if you don't dislike them.

Getting the essential nutrients your body needs is important, however. Be sure that what you eat is balanced. Also, add supplements where your nutrition is lacking. A multivitamin or a Thrive patch is a good place to start. 

2. Cut the Excuses

You might be too busy to go to the gym, it's understandable. Packing a healthy lunch takes too much time, and finding something healthy to eat out is too difficult. You want to exercise at home but don't know how.

All of these justifications are reasonable in their own right, and many people have been there. But if you truly want to get—and stay—fit and healthy, you must learn to stop creating excuses and begin prioritizing your health and fitness today.

3. Exercise

Instead of continually going to the movies or sitting around for long lunches, try to come up with some things that you and your friends or loved ones can do together. Take a family bike trip, a picturesque trek, or set up a game of bocce ball for everyone to enjoy—the possibilities are unlimited! You'll not only get some exercise, but you'll also have more enjoyment.

Even if you hit the gym six days a week, being more active and walking more in your daily life is the key to long-term fitness. Make an attempt to walk whenever and wherever you can, whether it's to the grocery store, to get your afternoon coffee, or to take a family walk after dinner. Aim for a minimum of 10,000 steps every day.

4. Get Some Sleep

Many people overlook the importance of getting a good night's sleep, yet getting enough sleep each night is critical for long-term health. And if that isn't enough of a motivation, consider the following: Sleep deprivation can also sabotage weight loss efforts due to elevated cortisol levels. On a regular basis, try to get roughly seven to eight hours of sleep.

5. Try HIIT Workouts

It's not always feasible to go to the gym when you have to arrange an hour or more for a workout. When you compress your entire workout into a 10- to 20-minute HIIT workout that works your entire body and leaves you drenched in sweat, you won't be able to justify skipping your workout as often as you used to. Just remember to put forth the effort!