8 THINGS TO STOP DOING TO GET IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE

So you want to get in the best shape of your life?

Perfect. Then allow me to kindly pass along a quick list of things you should stop doing.

Yup, you read that right . . .  things to STOP doing. In the fitness + health space you’ll see a lot of headlines urging you to do things: “5 habits to get a summer body” or “do these exercises for killer abs” . . . sounds familiar, right?

While I’m sure those tips are informative, I want to shake it up a bit and view our wellness journey through a different lens.

8 THINGS TO STOP DOING TO GET IN THE BEST SHAPE OF YOUR LIFE

1.    DRINKING ALCOHOL

I know it’s summertime and your favorite poolside cocktail is calling your name so before you X out of this post let me explain. It is no hidden secret that alcohol can negatively affect your health in a numerous amount of ways so I won’t take up your time giving you a full health lesson. Instead, I’ll encourage you to enjoy your drinks in moderation. Creating boundaries when it comes to social drinking will not only change how you consume alcohol but in turn will change your physique. Instead of waking up on Saturday morning too hungover to move, you can now spring out of bed and go enjoy a hot girl walk. If you want to taste test non-alcoholic cocktails this post has over 25 recipes that are perfect to enjoy under an umbrella.

2.    STAYING UP PAST YOUR BEDTIME

 Do I sound like your mom yet?

“no drinking!”

 “it’s past your bedtime!”

L O L

It turns out our moms had a point. Sleep is wildly crucial for us to be the best version of ourselves. Missing out on the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep can have some serious backlash. From increased stress, mood swings, weight gain, weakened immunity and lack of motivation - just to name a few. If you are aiming to level up then I highly recommend gifting your body the sleep it needs. Establish a nighttime routine so you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready for another blessed day.  

3.    SITTING, WAITING, WISHING

 One of my life motto’s is to work smarter not harder. You do not need to get in an intense hour workout every day to get in the best shape of your life. Rather, you need to focus on the little shifts that will make a massive difference. For example – try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. If you are stuck in a cubicle then set an alarm so you can get up to walk around the block or do these stretches at your desk. The point being is to intentionally move your body whenever + wherever you are able to. Being sedentary is so last year ;) You will be amazed the power these small changes will have on your body.

4.    EATING PROCESSED FOODS

 Rule of thumb: if you can’t pronounce the ingredient there is a high chance it doesn’t belong in your body. Do your best to have your grocery list reflect items that are not in a box or in the frozen food aisle. All that being said, I’m not a fan of fully restricting yourself because I surely don’t!! Life is entirely about balance but make no mistake that you are what you eat. Fill your grocery cart with fresh fruits + veggies + organic high quality proteins and let those foods fuel your body.

5.    RELYING ON A DEVICE

 I’ve never been a numbers kind of gal. Math was by far my worst subject and I’ve wiggled my way around numbers ever since so it shouldn’t surprise you that I’m about to tell you to not rely on a scale or a fitness tracker for that matter.

 GASP

 Did I really just say that? Yup, sure did.

 Here’s the real reason why . . .  the only thing the scale is going to show you is a number, that’s it. It isn’t going to reflect how you feel and in my unsolicited opinion that is what matters most. If you want to use the scale as a form of motivation, then by all means you do you girl. Just promise yourself that you won’t get caught up on the number staring back at you, ok? Ok.

In terms of a fitness tracker, I’d rather you give your full focus to consistent workouts and intentional eating rather than the amount of calories your device told you that your burnt. You know what I mean? Mental health goes hand in hand with physical.

6.    SUCCUMBING TO SUGAR

 Sugar highs are so not in.

 Did you know that when you intake sugar it causes your body to release insulin and insulin causes the body to store fat. I would add “learn how to truly read ingredients labels” to your to do list because you will be shocked at how many products have hidden sugars in them. Once you cut down on your sugar intake your body will praise you, I promise.

7.    BEING DEHYDRATED

If you are reading this I need you to pause so you can go grab a glass of water.

Repeat after me: water is life

Did you know that water is in every cell of your body?  How cool is that?! Water flushes bacteria from your bladder, aids in digestion, carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells, regulates body temperature, and protects your organs + tissues . . . just to name a few.

Point being, DRINK YOUR WATER.

8.    CHEATING YOURSELF

Do you want to know a secret?

You can.

You can get in the best shape your life.

You can make the necessary changes.

You can make it a priority.

You can achieve your wellness goals.

The only person standing in your way is you. Stop cheating yourself and watch how your life changes.  It’s you vs. you – who are you betting on?

cover photo via Unspalsh