We all know the January “TO DO”—eat better and exercise…but many programs are beyond unrealistic and leave us mad at ourselves because they don’t give us the results we need. With over 50% of people NOT sticking to these programs, let Brooke Taylor of Taylored Fitness NY LTD… a fitness and nutrition guru, who is known as “the Sculptor”—show you “REAL” life meals and workout tips that you will actually stick with all year.
1. Exercise that fits you and your body. Start shopping around for a “type” of exercise that compliments you and feels good on your body. If you are forcing yourself to go to a certain class because you think it is “good for you” or it’s the “new fad” then maybe you have not found the right one yet. Exercise should not be a chore, but something you look forward to and enjoy. You should leave with a smile on your face.
2. Hire a trainer. If you need a little motivation and push then leave it to the experts. Find a trainer that “gets you” and motivates you to want to show up and do your homework just because you do not want to disappoint them or more importantly YOURSELF. Someone that pushes you outside of your comfort zone both mentally and physically and most importantly that you enjoy spending time with.
Real life workout tips from Brooke Taylor
3. Challenge your Palate or Add new variety to your diet. Start sampling new recipes to challenge your taste buds. After all we don’t know if we like or don’t like something until after we have had it. So force yourself to think outside the box and try new things. You may actually surprise yourself developing a whole new palate that helps you lose inches on the waist. It’s4. Find a partner in crime. It is proven that when we workout with a trainer, friend or in a group setting we tend to push ourselves more then we naturally would working out solo. We all have those days where we are feeling a little less motivated then usual and the last thing we want to do is go to the gym, but if we have someone that is relying on us or holding us accountable then you are usually thanking them afterward. It’s why I always say, “just show up and let us do the rest.”
5. Set realistic goals. The vast majority of people start their New Year with a fitness or weight loss resolution. However, many soon fall off the ban wagon 3-4 months after and then it becomes the next years “resolution” creating a viscious cycle. Notice the trend? With that being said how can you look at this year’s goal differently? How can you make this year different from all the other years? I want you to retrain your thought process and not look at this as an immediate gratification goal, but something that you are going to commit to for the rest of your life. How can you create a “LIFESTYLE CHANGE?” First and foremost, this is a commitment both mentally and physically. You have to start small and slowly progress. Pushing too hard, too quick results in either a total burn out or leaving you feeling discouraged.
6. Make YOURSELF a priority. I always say, “If it is important to you, you will make time for it.” If it is not then it will always take a back seat to everything else. We all have the same 24 hours in the day to use however we choose to. Everyday we have a choice to make small improvements. If it means waking up 30 minutes earlier to get a quick workout in then do it. Don’t give up. It takes 3 months to make something a habit so stay strong!
7. Switch it up. Make sure that you continue to change up your routine every 4-6 weeks. This way your body does not plateau and you will continue to see results. A lot of people will tell me that they love taking a certain spin class every Tuesday and a HIIT training class every Thursday, but wonder why they are not seeing results. When I ask them “how long have you been doing this routine?” and they say “1 year.” I immediately say to myself well that is why. You have to continuously shock your body by working it in different ways. Adding a little variety into your life is always a good thing.
Try this “eat clean recipe.”
This is one of my favorite wraps that leaves you feeling energized. It is packed with nutrients from the array of different vegetables and is satisfying on the taste buds. You can keep it VEGAN or ADD a little chicken to up the protein.
Real life workout tips from Brooke Taylor
Ingredients:
• 1 Bunch of Collard Greens
• Artichoke and Spinach Hummus
• Pea Shoots
• Alfalfa Sprouts
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 avocado
• 4 chicken breasts
• Durkee Steak Seasoning
Instructions for the Chicken:
1. Pre-heat the stove to 350 degrees and rinse off the chicken breasts.
2. Lightly coat the bottom of a pan with a light olive oil.
3. Lay the chicken breasts down side by side and sprinkle “Durkee Steak Seasoning” over the top of each piece. I am in love with this seasoning and use it on all of my meat. It is the perfect blend of spices and adds just enough flavor.
4. Cook for 40-45 minutes depending on the thickness of the piece of chicken.
Boil a hot pot of water. Rinse the collard greens well and lay aside.
