The New Year is officially here and the resolutions and fitness goals for the year have started pouring in.
For some, getting ripped or shredded, or adding on muscle mass is the goal, while others set their sights on getting a lower reading on the scale. Either way, you can’t outwork a bad diet. True fitness starts with a solid nutrition foundation. Like Vince used to say; fitness is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.
So to mark the start of the New Year, here are 5 diet tips that will help you stay focused and hit your fitness goals that much easier this year.
TIP #5: Replace soda and beverages with water
A bottle of water makes all the difference when you’re trying to lose weight. Water contains zero calories, can help improve weight loss results and even improve weight maintenance by keeping you satiated, lubricating your joints, and giving you healthy skin. Most times, you mistake thirst for hunger, and a good long drink is all you need; not a bag of chips.
TIP #4: Take Vitamin D supplements
Adding enough vitamin D in your diet can keep your hormone levels in check and also go a long way in enhancing weight loss and decreasing body fat. Studies have also shown higher vitamin D levels in people who undergo rapid weight loss. Despite all it’s numerous fat loss related benefits, vitamin D is severely lacking in the American diet; in fact, 35% of Americans today all suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and a combined number of 106 million Americans are suffering from weight-related issues.
A sure way to ease up your weight loss journey and make your diet in 2023 that much easier is by consciously adding more vitamin D to your diet.
TIP #3: Select your protein sources more carefully
We all learned this as far back as elementary school; protein are muscle-building foods, the building blocks for building muscle.
It’s muscle-building 101.
But what 90% of people DON’T know though…Is that not all proteins are equal…and that some of them will actually make you and keep you fat, and if you’re not careful, some of them will actually make you and keep you fat. So if you’re intentional about stepping up your diet and adding more muscle, here’s 3 fat filled proteins that’s high on the list;
- Meatballs are delicious and go really well on pasta; but they’re also high in fats, high in sodium and add pounds to you that are hard to shake off.
- Bacon is actually more fat than protein. You can tell straight from the grease it leaves in the pan.
- Hotdogs: Looks good, smells good, great for breakfast… but bad for your goals.
But if you want a protein source that’s 100% dedicated to helping you add lean muscle…
TIP #2: Know when to cheat
It’s very easy for you to go down the rabbit hole and ruin your hard work when you don’t have anything mapped out. Sure, you can go for a spontaneous treat every once in a while, but don’t make it a habit.
TIP #1: Set realistic goals for yourself
Most people enter the New Year chock full of optimism, but if you set the bar too high, you’re only going to end up carrying your fitness resolutions over to the next year, and you don’t want that.
So instead of setting a goal of gaining or losing 80 pounds by the end of the year, start with practical goals that will give you the small wins you need to motivate you and keep you going forward. Set landmarks or pitstops for yourself instead of going for broke in one full swing.
Conclusion
The New Year represents new beginnings and hopefully, you can use these tips to make your diet and fitness goals that much easier this year. Good luck, and welcome to 2023!
