Thank you so much for stopping by my fitness lifestyle blog! You made the right choice and I want to make sure you get any and all types of information to help you along your fitness journey. If this is the first time you are focusing on your fitness CONGRATULATIONS and if you desire to restart a program because you fell off, no better time like the present – I want to help you succeed.
First let me do some housekeeping: Disclaimer – I am NOT a certified personal trainer or nutritionist. The information I am sharing below is based off of my personal experience. Everyone is different and what worked for me doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Before starting any fitness program it is advised you consult your physician first. Lastly, this post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I get a percentage of the sale. With that out of the way….let’s now focus on how I can help you as you embark upon your journey.
Sometimes it takes having a group you are accountable to to stay on your plan so join our online accountability fitness group. You can join us HERE and it is FREE! We are also a lot of fun. We share triumphs, successes, health eating tips, exercise routines and above all else SUPPORT. I hope to see you in there.
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One of the best ways to help you along your fitness journey is to stay hydrated. I created an Infusion Water Bottle with Drink Tracker that actually prompts you to drink and track your water throughout the day. It’s really cool. You can check it out HERE. #HydrationNation
I am a fitness enthusiast and as previously stated I am not YET a certified personal trainer or nutritionist but I LOVE any and everything about fitness. You can learn more about me and what I’m about HERE.
Are you excited? Are you ready to step it up on this fitness journey of YOURS? I am happy to hear you are – so keep reading to see how to get started.
Let me share some blog posts that I created just to get you started. They are short, to the point, quick reads and will help you get started or restart.
Where To Start?
Guide To Starting A Fitness Program – Introduction
Guide To Starting A Fitness Program – Mind Over Matter
Beginning Your Fitness Journey – Prepare for the Marathon not the Sprint
How To Burn More Fat During and After Your Workout
Top 5 Exercises That Burn The Most Calories
How To Lose Weight Without Exercise
What To Eat?
An important component of any workout or fitness program is eating the right things to fuel and repair your body after a tough workout with weights, sprints or anything in between like Pilates, Barre or Zumba. I run a lot and lift weights so it is imperative I put the right food fuel in my body so I can make sure I am properly fed before and after a workout since my body and muscles is restoring.
First things first – eat more fresh produce. By produce I mean fruits and vegetables. Raw, steamed or roasted are some of the best ways I like to eat my vegetables. Check out my Roasted Cauliflower recipe. Salads are another delicious way to get in your vegetables just make sure you aren’t loading down your salad with sugar-ladened, high-calorie, creamy dressings. You will counteract any of the goodness you are eating.
I like to eat my fruit raw at all times. I also like a variety of fruit such as apples, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, cucumbers, etc. Go to your local farmer’s market or Walmart Superstore to find affordable produce. Your body will thank you for it.
I also suggest superfood and protein powders to put in your smoothies, water, or juice. They help boost the nutritional value of what you’re drinking and helps with satiety. Here are my favs that I use on a regular basis.
Vega One Powder in French Vanilla ($53.52)
This powder is vegan-friendly and delicious. French Vanilla is my favorite flavor and I use 1 scoop in my morning smoothies. I typically purchase this at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Philosophie Green Dream Superfood ($20.00)
I recently purchased this back in early April 2015 and LOVE IT. It is very tasty and a perfect addition to my green smoothies. I ordered this online.
Jay Robb Whey Protein Vanilla ($32.90)
This was the first protein powder I used because it had 0 grams of sugar. That’s right, you have to read the package because just because it says it is a superfood or protein powder doesn’t mean it can’t be packed full of added sugar. I typically buy this at the Vitamin Shoppe.
Detoxes
I’ve received advise from my coaches and personal trainers that a great way to jumpstart a weight-loss program is to detox my body to get rid of all of the sludge and waste that may be trapped in my colon. Actually my coach recommends colonics but I just can’t get my head around it. I have used detox tonics and teas and both have been effective. I will say the tonic causes more of a reaction than the tea which tends to be more gentle. Here’s what I use and recommend if you interested in a detox.
I first learned of this tonic through Chef Ahki about 3 years ago. I tried it and while it does have a bitter taste, it was very effective. You basically take 1 oz of the tonic twice a day for 15 days and let it do its magic. I got used to the taste around day 5.
Naked Me Tea 14-Day Detox ($29.95)
I recently tried this 14-day detox tea after a holiday season of truly indulging and I really liked it. The tea tastes delicious and it didn’t have me rushing to the bathroom every 5 minutes. Below are my results from this tea. I have since lost additional weight after finishing up this tea too. You can also check out my review of the tea HERE.
Beginner Workouts
Now that you have an idea of how to start your fitness program it makes sense to share some basic workouts to get you started. I recruited my fellow blogger friend Sheila Simmons of The Frugal Exerciser to share some of her top beginner workouts since she is a certified personal trainer. You can find all of them by clicking on the graphic below.
