Are there any fitness secrets?

Eat Right. Exercise. Relax. Those are the big fitness secrets.

Eat Right

Eating right is really easy, once you know the basics! To start, fill ½ your plate with fruits and veggies, ¼ of your plate with a lean protein, and ¼ of your plate with a starch, preferably of the brown variety (brown rice, whole wheat bread, and whole wheat pasta).

Exercise

Exercise is obviously important to becoming fit. Even if you are already within your recommended weight range, exercise will make your heart and lungs healthier. (If you are just starting to exercise, get your doctors okay.) Thirty to 60 minutes a day is ideal. Remember, you can break that hour up into small chunks and make it fun! Who wants to do something they don’t like?!

Relax

Relax, ME?! Oh yes, you! This is especially important if you believe you don’t have the time to relax. It is easy to fit in 5 minutes of deep breathing in the morning and 10 minutes at bedtime (or at any point during the day where you can steal some quiet time to yourself).

Relaxing is easy! Simply close your eyes, inhale deeply through your nose for 5 seconds, hold it for 3 seconds, and then exhale through your mouth for 5 seconds. You can concentrate on your breath, keep repeating one calming word such as “Relax”, or visualize your goals.

You will be amazed at what this simple relaxation exercise will do for you. And the even better news? It only gets easier and more beneficial with time!