Summer will be here before we know it, and while swimsuit season typically motivates people to hit the gym a little harder, if we’re honest, there’s always a reason to slim down. Weddings, reunions, special events, and vacations all cause people to turn to fad diets to lose weight fast. At SWEAT in Dallas, TX, we know the importance of healthy habits, which is why we’re sharing five fitness hacks that you can turn into life-long fitness habits to maintain your goal weight long-term.
So many publications, articles, and magazine covers promise you can cut down or lose the last five pounds if you follow a few tried-and-true fitness hacks. However, once you reach that goal, it’s easy to fall back into unhealthy patterns. We’re going to give you five fitness hacks that you can turn into lifestyle habits so that the next time the special event, vacation, swimsuit season, or new year rolls around, you won’t have to scramble to get healthier or get in better shape in a short period of time.
1. Drink More Water
The fitness hack is to drink at least a gallon of water each day, but the better option is to make a new habit of drinking at least one ounce for every pound of body weight daily. If you’re not drinking enough water, you’ll retain water and won’t look as lean or cut as you could.
Plus, your skin, digestion, and muscles will suffer without adequate hydration. You don’t have to down a gallon of water every day, but you do need to give your body what it needs based on your metrics. Do this, and you’ll notice changes in how you look and feel within as few as 24 hours.
2. Cut Out Sugar
The fitness hack says to cut out all forms of sugar for one to two weeks to slim down to reach your goal. While doing so will get you results, cutting out sugar from your diet long-term will yield even better ones. Once you break your addiction to sugar, you’ll no longer crave it, and as a result, you will see improvements in your skin, energy levels, and body composition. Sugar creates chronic inflammation, so by reducing inflammation, you’ll also improve your overall health.
Start by cutting out foods with unnecessary added sugars, then slowly remove processed sugars from your diet. Once you do, you’ll be able to indulge now and again and eat that piece of chocolate without feeling like you have to eat the entire bar.
3. Do More Cardio
Adding extra cardio into your day is an easy way to increase your caloric burn and help you quickly reach weight loss goals. The fitness hack recommends adding another cardio workout to your existing routine. However, cardio can be tedious, and it’s not sustainable nor advisable to do excessive cardio every day, especially if you’re trying to build and maintain lean muscle mass.
Instead, do the right type of cardio. Perform high-intensity interval training exercises at least three days a week. You’ll be able to spend less time doing cardio, closer to 20 minutes instead of 60, and you’ll burn a significant amount of calories, preserve lean muscle mass, and keep your metabolism running efficiently throughout the day.
4. Hire a Trainer
The fitness hack is to work with a trainer in the short term to help you reach your goals quickly and accomplish the most gains in the shortest amount of time. The fitness habit is to work with a trainer long-term for even better results. Working with a trainer a few times a week, or even just once a week, can make all the difference in helping you achieve and maintain your ideal body long-term.
That built-in accountability will ensure that you not only show up but show up ready to work hard and allow yourself to be pushed in a way you may not be able to push yourself.
5. Cut Out Carbs
Cutting out all carbohydrates is another quick way to slim down, but you’ll quickly notice that decreased carbohydrate count coincides with decreased energy levels. Energy is key if you want to keep up with your workouts, so you must find the middle ground and turn the hack into a habit. One easy way is to trade in all of the simple carbohydrates you eat regularly for complex healthier options.
Swap white potatoes for sweet potatoes and white rice for brown rice, and if you want to cut something out completely, bread should be the first thing to go. Another way to turn the hack into a habit is to consume all your complex carbohydrates by lunch. Focus on lighter foods like proteins and greens during the latter half of the day when you are less likely to expend more calories.
Begin Your Journey Towards a Healthier Lifestyle at SWEAT
Once you get out of the quick-fix mentality, you will set yourself up to build a healthier lifestyle and maintain it long-term. That way, you’ll never have to turn to a fad diet to quickly lose 10 pounds in two weeks. You’ll maintain balanced blood sugar levels, you’ll be adequately hydrated, you’ll stay accountable to your workouts, and you’ll learn how to balance your diet. If you’re ready to create healthier fitness and diet habits lifestyle, we can help. Contact us at SWEAT in Dallas, TX, today to learn how to get matched with a personal trainer and begin a new lifestyle journey.
