Make or Break Your Fitness Plans

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

23 Aug 2006 08:47 AM

What are your fitness plans? Are they to lose weight? Are they to get in shape? Are they just to fit better into your clothes? Maybe you just want to reduce the stress in your life? Whatever your fitness plans are there are lot of make it or break it moments that you are going to encounter along the way.

Here are some clues for you to help you make it or break it where your fitness plans are concerned.

• Skip Your Morning Java - That's right, have hot cocoa or orange juice rather than coffee in the morning. Caffeine may give you an initial boost, but OJ and Hot Cocoa give you all the simple carbohydrates to keep you going all morning long
• The Munchies - Before you head to the pantry or the snack machine, have an eight ounce glass of water or more - most often our munchies are a reflection of the fact that we're dehydrated - not hungry
• Snacking After A Workout - Plan a healthy, balanced snack stop after you workout - that's right. You may think you want to skip the meal or not eat because it will damage your progress, but refueling is important, go for fruit or fiber or a combination of both
• Eat Before You Workout - A healthy snack before an intense workout is a good plan - they don't call it carbing up for nothing. While exercise can help you burn fat, working out on an empty stomach can make you sick to your stomach
• Eat a balanced dinner and/or snack before bed - It's important that you don't overeat right before you go to sleep - the best plan is to eat no less than 2 hours before your bedtime
• Work Out Regularly - Even if you can't manage an hour and can only squeeze in 15 minutes, do it - it's better to get some physical activity in every single day - whether it's a high intensity workout or just a walk around the block

What other healthy advice can you offer to help make it or break it on your fitness plan?

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Fitness Tips: Healthy Mistakes

Fitness Tips: Building Up Your Self-Confidence

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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