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Lifestyle change > Short-term gain

Crash diets and other extreme weight loss plans may yield immediate results, but they’re not maintainable in the long-term. Instead of taking a short-term approach in the beginning of the year, think of your health and fitness resolutions as a total lifestyle change; your journey is not just about getting into shape, but more importantly, it’s about staying in shape and working towards your overall health goals.

Find balance

Since you’ve decided to make health and fitness a part of your lifestyle, you know it’s not realistic to say you will never eat another cookie in your entire life. Instead of restricting the foods you love, create a balance. Maybe it’s following a healthy eating regime while at home and work, but allowing yourself to indulge in your favourite foods when you eat out with your friends, have dinner parties, or attend events.

Sticking to something one hundred percent of the time is challenging – especially if you set hardcore fitness goals. So if you feel yourself needing a break, try incorporating meditation into your daily routine, or going for a relaxing massage. Taking time to de-stress will allow you to tackle your fitness goals with renewed energy.

Write down your goals

We mentioned this in our last post about New Year’s resolutions. There’s something about checking items off a list that is so satisfying. Write down your 2016 health and fitness goals so you can have that satisfaction of checking it off once you’ve achieved your goals. Then, put your list somewhere visible so you are reminded of your goal and hold yourself accountable. There are a tonne of apps to help you keep track of your goals. Here are a few of our favourite health & fitness apps.

Find a workout buddy

Another way to stay on top of your goals is to have someone else hold you accountable. Whether it’s a friend, significant other, or even co-worker, having a workout buddy makes the process more fun and motivating. If you don’t have anyone to join you in your health & fitness journey, hiring a personal trainer helps many people stick to their goals.

A workout buddy at work can be really valuable, especially if you work in an office. Recent studies suggest that extended sitting can cause almost as much damage to your health as smoking. To counteract the effects office life can have on your health, try a standing desk, always taking the stairs, or taking a ‘walking lunch’ in warmer months. If there’s a gym nearby, check out the class schedule to see if you can take a fun class on your lunch break. This will invigorate you for the rest of the day, and doesn’t involve waking up early, or cutting into your down time in the evening.

Keep it interesting

One of the main reasons people give up on their fitness goals is because they get bored of the same routine. Whether in your workouts or your diet, don’t be afraid to try something new and change things up.

If you love the outdoors, try hiking or biking around your city. Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver all have great trails to discover – even in the winter.

We’ve highlighted 5 health & fitness businesses for you to check out in 2016:

Alka’s Total Fitness

Alka’s Total Fitness is a cardio kickboxing studio. Alka’s approach as a certified instructor is to use upbeat music and combine dance movements with traditional kicks and punches. This approach can help you to burn up to 400 calories and possibly more in your workouts. But most importantly, you’ll build confidence knowing that you look and feel better.

Website: http://www.alkastotalfitness.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alkastotalfitness

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlkasTotalFit

LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alkastotalfitness

CG Personal Training

Creates a regime that best suits your unique needs. From dietary advice and planning to weight management and exercise, they have the knowledge, tools, and resources to help you reach your personal health and fitness goals.

Website: http://cg-personaltraining.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CGfittraining?_rdr=p

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cg_fittraining/

Orange Theory Fitness

Orange Theory Fitness uses the science of Heart-Rate Based Treadmill Interval Training, the efficiency of Indoor Rowing for increased power and the proven concept of Weight Training Blocks to create the fitness level and body you have always desired.

Website: http://www.orangetheoryquebec.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OTFPointeClaire

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OTFpointeclaire/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OTFpointeclaire

Yoli

The Yoli Better Body System can help you transform your life physically in just thirty days. With high-quality, natural products and an eating plan designed to keep you feeling great, the program will get you started on your journey to optimal health.

Website: http://www.dmf6358.yoli.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetterBodySystem

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yolibetterbody

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFQRzFhw905pW0enhMC0zqA

Korsh Spinal Health & Wellness

Korsh Spinal Health & Wellness offers chiropractic care as well as massage therapy and spinal decompression to help you get the results you’re after.

Website: http://korshspinal.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/korsh.spinal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DCKorsh/videos

Google+: https://plus.google.com/105179586644913213658/about

What are your health and fitness tips for 2016? Tweet us @411dotca!

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