New Year, Better Me: Get fit, stay fit and spend less

Of all the new year’s resolutions, staying fit and healthy is the number one goal people set for themselves. According to a survey conducted by Nielsen, being fit and healthy is even more important to people than losing weight. This is great data, because dedicating yourself to being fit and healthy is much more sustainable than forcing a number on the scale.

If you’re not a gym buff and don’t normally exercise, you may have no idea where to begin. People often think the first step to getting in shape is hiring a personal trainer or joining a fancy gym.

While these are great options, we don’t all have the money to do it, especially after the holidays. You don’t have to break the bank to start working towards your health and fitness goals in the new year. There’s so many small habits to adopt that will make your day to day life more active, as well as bigger ways to get closer to a more healthy lifestyle.

Little things make a big difference

Take the stairs, finally – You’ve heard it a million times, and we’re going to say it again. Take the stairs! Skipping the elevator can burn up to 150 calories. That’s a pretty easy way to get some extra activity in, so if you’ve been telling yourself for years you’re going to start taking the stairs, now’s the time to do it!

Work out and watch TV – Working out while you watch TV is a really easy way to feel better about downtime without breaking the bank. Everyone needs to relax and catch up on their shows, but adding in a little bit of activity can make it productive and fun! Oprah has some awesome tips for gaining strength while vegging out. The best part about these tips is that most of them don’t involve any equipment at all. You just need your couch, the TV and a (very small) amount of motivation. Doing this even a few times a week will make a big difference in your stamina and strength in the long run!

Use a pedometer – How many steps do you think you take a day? Tracking your daily steps is a good way to stay on top of your activity. 10,000 steps a day is a general goal for people looking to burn extra calories. 10,000 steps burns up to 3,500 calories a week! Studies have found that the average American takes about 5,000 steps a day, but doubling this isn’t as big of a task as you may think. Taking the stairs, parking farther away from your destination and doing a lap or two around the neighbourhood will have these numbers adding up quick. As for a pedometer, iPhones come with a “Health” app that’s tracking your steps already! Click on the app and explore it, you’ll find it’s tracking your daily steps and the distance you’ve walked or ran. You can also find free pedometer apps in the App Store and on Google Play.

Achieving bigger goals

If you’re looking to incorporate a more serious fitness plan into your life, make sure it’s something you enjoy. Working out doesn’t have to be something to dread.

Compete with yourself – Doing the same workout every day can become super mundane, and that’s why a lot of people stop working out. If you can strive to beat your personal best every time you exercise, you may find the competition gets you motivated. A great app to build stamina and reach a goal is Couch to 5k. The app takes you through a 9 week running program that will bring you from being breathless after 30 seconds to running for 30 minutes straight.

Do some listening – You can always count on your phone to have your back, even if you don’t have a workout buddy or group to workout with. Podcasts are a great way to stay entertained while exercising. If you find one that really catches your interest, you won’t even notice you’ve been on the exercise bike for 45 minutes until it ends! Audiobooks and podcasts are a great way to fill two needs with one deed. If your attention span is a little shorter, have an awesome playlist on hand for your workouts. You can find workout playlists on apps like Spotify and Google Music, but if you’re really ambitious you may want to make your own. Start out with some fun, upbeat music and as the list goes on, make the songs faster and louder. Your body will be intuitive and will workout in sync with the music!

Be prepared – The number one way to make sure you achieve your big (and small!) workout goals in the new year is to prepare. For all the tips we’ve provided, there’s a bit of preparation involved. Get the apps downloaded on your phone, get your workout gear ready (shoes, clothes, water bottle, gym bag etc.) and set yourself up for success. If your living room is extra cluttered but you want to try working out while watching TV, do a quick declutter to make room for your new lifestyle.

If you’re feeling unprepared at all, check out Curbza to see if there’s any great deals on stuff that could help you reach your goals. Whether you need a set of weights, a yoga mat or some gear, getting the stuff you need second-hand can save you a lot of cash. Download the app for free and see what treasures await you and your new lifestyle.

What’s your number one health goal for the new year? Let us know in the comments below!