Are you struggling to see results from your workouts?
You’ve been on your pilates kick and have been attending classes weekly for months. You feel stronger and are holding your planks longer- but you are still not getting the results you wanted.
If this sounds like you, read on.
Exercise and pilates is only one fifth of the equation. Seeing optimal results in your body requires you to address lifestyle factors outside the studio.
Quality of sleep, nutrition, lifestyle, and how you spend the other 23 hours in the day are just as important as your commitment to your pilates practice.
We all wish there was a quick fix to feeling amazing all of the time, however your consistency to yourself is a 24/7 job.
That doesn’t mean you have to always say no to dessert or be in bed by 9 pm every night, but there are certain habits that can be slowly introduced into your routine that will improve long term results.
Our top 5 habits would include diet, sleep, hobbies (aside from exercise), friendships and relationships.
When focusing on diet, there is no need to count calories. However, you absolutely should read labels and be aware of what you are consuming. Eating nutritiously dense foods rich in antioxidants that are organic and minimally processed will not only make you feel fuller longer, but will have your skin glowing and give you so much energy that you won’t need that second or third cup of coffee in the afternoon. Focus on protein, healthy fats and carbs like fruit, vegetables and whole grains at every meal for maximum nutrition.
Sleep is a non negotiable. Our body restores itself while it’s sleeping and all of the muscle we are building during our workouts build while we rest. Having a night time routine and going to bed and waking up around the same time every day will do wonders for your immune system and your progress in pilates.
Hobbies can include shopping and going out for drinks, but hobbies like taking walks outside and listening to podcasts also need to be incorporated. Getting a healthy dose of vitamin D, taking a walk outside with a friend or alone, listening to something you can learn from or reading a book, are all crucial habits to add to your routine. When we do things we enjoy, we produce endorphins, which in turn help us regulate our nervous system and keep the body calm, allowing it to focus on restoring itself and being prepared for challenging moments.
Our friendships can be a source of pleasure or stress, so choose your friends wisely. Surround yourself with people who bring you up, encourage you, and wish for you to succeed. Avoid anyone that brings you down, makes you second guess yourself or makes you feel less than. Life is too short to surround yourself with negative energy.
Lastly, romantic relationships are just as important for living a healthy lifestyle. From your sex life, to having a partner to lean on, who will motivate you and who you enjoy sharing your life with, it is absolutely necessary to feel loved and appreciated to feel whole.
While you may not have a grip on every habit on this list, you should definitely understand that exercise, alone, is not enough for successful results. Make room in your life to enjoy moments, people and places and focus on balancing the fun with healthy habits that you can benefit from.