Being fit and staying fit is a daily struggle we all face. Even with the current fitness revolution, it can still be challenging to stay on track and keep motivated. Since we know just how much of a struggle it is to start and keep that healthier lifestyle you've been wanting, we thought about the best way to inspire you with the help of 3 regular girls with a passion for fitness. They were just like you, struggling with staying fit and keeping motivated, but they worked hard and focused on their goals, and now they're official Nike Training Club trainers while balancing their different careers. We asked them for their best workout tips and we're sharing them with you below for the inspo you need to reach your #FitnessGoals starting today! Get to know them and their awesome tips and tricks below.
Sam Rodriguez
1 Don't get indimidated.
"Just breaking a sweat once a day makes all the difference in the world! You don't have to run 10k right off the bat. Everyone starts somewhere. So don't be afraid and just go for it!"
2 Have a regimen you can do at home.
"Also, it's good to have a regimen that you can do at home without having to go to the gym. That's why I love NTC because a lot of the work outs don't need equipment and you can do everything on your own time and space, so no excuses!"
3 Don't get pressured to compromise form over the amount of reps.
"Quality over quantity every single time. This prevents injury as well as makes your work out a lot more effective."
Katz Salao
4 Tighten your core, forever.
"There's a misconception that the "core" is only the front abs. What I learned from NTC is that the core is actually your entire midsection. For all exercises, one instruction remains the same: tighten your core. Whether planks, squats, even jogging! But my tip is, learn to tighten your core even when you're not working out. Even when you're just walking or sitting. The only time your core shouldn't be tightened is when you're lying down to sleep. To tighten your core, imagine a string in your belly button slowly being tied back to your spine and upward, your whole core being lifted. You should be able to feel tension in your core area, but still be able to breathe properly. Now try to be conscious of that feeling as much as you can. Soon enough it will feel natural and automatic."
5 Plank anywhere and all the time.
"There are so many variations of planks that I could quite possibly do one whole workout routine with just that. Full, side, forearm, and a whole lot of moving ones! The beauty of a plank is that, when done correctly, it works out your entire body. A simple routine as doing 4 rounds of 30 second-1 minute planks at every morning or every night before bed already makes a difference-this can already make you stronger and feel more motivated to do even more. Yes, you can get those beautiful ab lines from planks!"
6 Eating right is important.
"Eating the right food your body craves can help increase your metabolism and burn more calories. This sounds like a cliche already but the body is brilliant that way. It's as simple as thinking whatever you put inside your body is what it will use to function, so the better the fuel, the better the performance. You just have to be patient when it comes to understanding your body."
Trish Ayson
7 Keep moving.
"Even tiny change can make a difference. You don’t need to always sweat out to stay in shape. Sometimes our everyday activities can help us get fit without noticing it. Instead of always doing things the easy and fast way (using the elevator, sitting for hours, calling delivery service for your food) you can use the stairs, stand up for a few minutes while working on your laptop, grab your lunch at the canteen, and the list goes on."
8 Be consistent and be happy.
"No exercise program in the world works if you don’t do it consistently. Set a plan! Once you have a routine that works with your schedule, stick to it. You don’t necessarily have to be working out for hours, just dedicate an hour for say 3 to 4 times a week. Make sure to pick an activity that you will enjoy doing. By doing so, getting in shape won’t feel like a chore and will be so fun and rewarding."
9 Don't be afraid to lift.
"One of the biggest misconceptions about weightlifting is that it will cause women to get big. This couldn’t be far from the truth. We often underestimate our strength and by default we grab the light weights thinking that we will look like Dwayne Johnson. You need to get out of your comfort zone and put a greater stimulus on your muscles to see real changes. Choose a weight that you can lift 10 times, with the last 2-3 reps posing a challenge. Make sure though to maintain your form. Our goal is to still lift heavy and well without getting hurt."
Have we inspired you to start your fitness routine? Want more fitness or workout tips? Leave a comment below or tweet us @candymagdotcom. We're in this together!