Back to the Basics
Tips for a Professional Athlete or Anyone Beginning Their Fitness Journey
By Tamra Trainer
I love sharing my fitness tips with everyone. After all, who doesn’t love a good fitness tip? No matter what level of fitness we have achieved, we always need to go back to the basics when trying to get or maintain a great body and overall health. Here is how to get started no matter what your goal is.
- Lift more Weights – You won’t look “Bulky” or get too big. Especially Women, it just doesn’t work that way. The only thing you WILL DO is get stronger. As Dr. Oz says, “Frailty is what KILLS us.” So, pick up those weights. Start out at a weight you are comfortable with and increase it by 5-10 pounds each week or two.
- Do Fasted Cardio – When you wake up you are already in a fasted state so if you do your cardio on an empty stomach your body has no other choice but to go to your fat reserves as your energy source.
- Join the Gym – If you avoid the gym because of the people and equipment being too intimidating, start with walking on the treadmill for a week while you scope out your surroundings and get used to where all the different equipment is located. You will have a much easier time moving to the weight room this way.
- Strip your Diet 30 days – Give your body a chance to reset and get rid of all the toxins that you have been putting in it whether it has been months or years. Grilled chicken breast, fish or vegetables, sweet potatoes, brown or white rice, hardboiled eggs (skip the yolk), oatmeal or cream of rice, protein shakes and unsweetened almond milk are examples of what a very clean, basic diet looks like. No processed foods, no sugar, sodas, heavy seasoning/salt or artificial sweeteners. You’ll also be closer to your goal weight.
- Cut out the Sugar and Diet Sodas – Sugar is one of the most widely abused drugs out there. Sugar and diet sodas stimulate your insulin response causing you to store more fat. Water should be your main source of hydration. Many think that because it says the word “Diet” that it is better for you but you might as well have the real thing.
- Meditate – Your mind is part of your body too. We have to keep it healthy. I have never met anyone that said, “I don’t have a lot of stress in my life.” Stress can cause many health problems and is even linked to Cancer. Go on Youtube and search “Guided meditation” for different videos to help you learn how to meditate.
