Gym and Fitness Hacks for 2017

With January in full swing, many of us are fully immersed in our New Year’s resolutions of eating healthier and doing more exercise. However, it’s a sad fact that once January is over, many people (us included!) tend to fall back into old habits. But it doesn’t have to be this way!

Being more fit and active isn’t something that has to stop once the first month of the year is finished, and there are plenty of tips and hacks that you can introduce to your fitness regime to make it more appealing - and keep you jogging way into the spring and beyond.

We’ve spoken to some of the B&M office’s gym addicts, to get the lowdown on how to stick to a fitness plan, and some of the best workout trends for 2017.

Use a fitness app

 

There are loads of easy-to-use fitness and exercise apps out there for iPhone and Android that make it easier to keep motivated throughout the year. Here are some of the best fitness apps for 2017, and what’s best, they’re all free!

 

• Runkeeper: this clever app is great for people who are looking to jog/run their way to fitness this year. Not only does it count calories and gives audio updates on your progress, but it also connects to your music library, making it easier than ever to set up that perfect jogging playlist!

• Pact: not for the feint hearted - this unique app allows you to actually bet on whether you’ll go to the gym. If you choose to sack it off for an evening in front of the telly, this app will give your lost cash to someone else who has made the effort to go! You also have the opportunity to earn more cash for hitting certain targets.

• Fooducate: if you’re watching what you eat this year, Fooducate is your perfect companion for grocery shopping. Simply input the type of food you want to buy, and this app will show you how many calories it contains per serving, as well as showing healthy alternatives. It also features some delicious and healthy recipes to try - yum!

• Yogawakeup: if you’re struggling to fit any exercise into your busy routine, this app is perfect! Yogawakeup schedules in 10 minutes of yoga for you as you wake up, allowing you to calm your mind and stretch your body before you start your day. Namaste!

Buddy up

Image credit: Body Compound

 

Going to the gym alone can be quite a daunting experience, especially if you’re not used to exercising. One way round this is to hire a personal trainer, however this can prove to be costly. But another great way of motivating yourself is by getting a gym buddy - this can be a friend, family member or even a colleague. Buddying up with a workmate is especially useful as you can meet up before or after work and get fit together.

B&M Top Tip: if you can’t find a gym buddy, why not join a class instead? Most gyms have classes that run from early in the morning until late in the evening, and they’re a great way to make new friends and get fit in the process. Have a look at your gym’s class timetable to see what time the classes are on.

 

Fad? Forget it!

When finding how to stick to a fitness plan, it’s important to stay away from fad diets. These types of diets may make you lose weight quick, but chances are you’ll put it back on twice as fast once you start eating properly again, and yo yo dieting is NOT healthy.

 

If you need more inspiration, the gorgeous and healthy Shakira has some wise words (and if it’s good enough for Shakira, it’s good enough for us!):

“I’ve never been able to stick to a really strict diet, but I try to stay away from simple carbohydrates and eat fruits and vegetables”.

Allow yourself a treat once in awhile!

Image credit: Ghana Live TV

 

The trick to being healthy is having everything in moderation, and it’s important to allow yourself a treat every now and again. We’re not talking about emptying McDonalds - but your favourite chocolate bar once a week or so will help to keep you motivated. 

B&M Top Tip: if you find yourself craving sweets and chocolate - don’t give in! Just find some healthier alternatives to satisfy that sweet tooth. For example, a great alternative to ice cream is frozen yoghurt, or why not try a fruit smoothie instead of that milkshake? Delicious! Speaking of smoothies, we have a range of easy-to-use blenders for all your smoothie needs!

 

Do you have any advice on how to stick to a fitness plan this year? Send us your fitness hacks via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - you never know, you could find your next fitness inspiration!