Fitness 101

Aside from reading books, I also love to work out daily. My favorite forms of exercise are running, swimming, badminton, zumba and circuit training. Whenever I have a busy week, I try to incorporate simple exercises in my routine like taking the stairs instead of the elevator and walking wherever and whenever possible. What really got me into exercise, is my abhorrence to excess fats because I used to be teased a lot by my siblings and peers. 

And with the holidays just around the corner, family reunions, cooking/baking special foods, and dining out will be occurring frequently. Diet and exercise will take a backseat, at least momentarily(I hope!), because let's face it, tremendous effort is needed to control yourself especially when lechon or your favorite food/s is sitting right in front of you and you'll most likely break what little restraint you have.

Fortunately, there are plenty of websites out there that taught me how to lose, maintain, and reach my goal weight. And after years of trying out different diets and exercise routines, I finally found what works best for me. So today, I would like to share some of them and I hope you'll learn a thing or two:

1. Watch some Youtube videos and read blogs. Here are my top favorites:

Blogilates by Cassey Ho

Annie Jaffrey

Zumba

Lauren Conrad

2. Motivational Money Jar

Each time you hit the gym or exercise put one dollar into your jar (if you can, slip $5 in there when you've had a particularly great week). Then, every few months cash in on your efforts. Treat yourself to a new top or even a relaxing spa pedicure. 

3. Create your own workout mix.

1. He is We - Pardon Me (Go Periscope Remix)
2. Lady Gaga - Electric Chapel (Two Door Cinema Club Remix)
3. Flo Rida - Good Feeling
4. Yelle - Que Veux Tu (Madeon Remix)
5. Friendly Fires - Hurting
6. Carousel - The Thrill
7. Drake feat. Rihanna - Take Care
8. SBTKRT feat. Roses Gabor - Pharaohs
9. Stronger - Kanye West
10. Burn - Ellie Goulding

4. Always exercise on Mondays. This sets the psychological pattern for the week.

5. I've learned that a sexy physique is the result of 80% diet and 20% exercise. So a healthy diet is a MUST in order to achieve your weight goal. Personally, I live by the 80/20 rule diet! It works like this: you eat healthy foods eighty percent of the time and the other 20 percent you treat yourself. Click here for a more in-depth explanation of the rule.

6. Focus on all of the amazing benefits of exercise.

 

Need more motivation? Read this.

7. It doesn't matter what time of the day you exercise just as long as you actually do. If you prefer working out in the afternoon or evening, then by all means go. It's absolutely your choice.

8. Enjoy! Working out need not be a chore, you must be able to enjoy it so find out whatever suits your fancy and stick with it.

Good Luck!