For some people there is nothing better than lacing up their sneakers and hitting the pavement, for others it is the rush of heavy lifting or the rhythm found from an energetic Zumba class.. we are all built differently, we all find our joy in different places and no fitness plan or "diet" is a "one size fits all".
Just Move
Find the thing that you get excited to go to. Whether it is convenient or social or your escape, find activities that make you move and schedule them into your week. Taking care of ourselves should always be number one priority because it is impossible for us to take care of others without getting ourselves in order. Make a commitment to creating a healthy lifestyle by enjoying the things you choose to spend your time doing.
Try a boutique fitness facility or yoga studio that often offer introductory incentive rates for a month to allow you to try it out. Find or Organize a Bootcamp (outdoors, indoors, Womens only, military, there is something for everyone). Joining a gym nowadays doesn't mean you have to get on the hamster wheel (if you don't enjoy it) or be overwhelmed by all the crazy contraptions (if you are not comfortable with weights). There are also many classes. If you really want to lift weights (which I highly recommend), hire a trainer for at least a couple sessions to help you put a program together that you'll enjoy and teach you how to use things properly so you make the most of your time. Finding a trainer that is enthusiastic about what they do and that represents and lives a healthy lifestyle is imperative. Using proper form is necessary to prevent injury and get the results you are looking to achieve.
Nutrition
Notice I said nutrition and not "diet". Eating should not be a reward or a punishment. Part of why eating clean foods can seem so bland and uninteresting is the affect that chemicals in the processed foods/drinks we consume have affected our taste. Part of it comes from the little time we spend cooking our own foods nowadays. Just as we need to train our bodies physically we need to train our mind/body to eat for nourishment and necessity rather than just convenience. We should watch what we consume but it is not necessarily advantageous to count every calorie as it really doesn't provide a real picture of what you are putting in your body. Start with substituting. Instead of that Grande Latte, consider downsizing and or cutting out drinks with added sugars and milk. Consider substituting regular milk for alternatives such as almond/coconut. If there are labels and ingredients, you are likely looking at processed foods which cause havoc on our systems and are often depleted of any real nutrition. Fill your fridge with fruits, vegetables, lean protein and limit the processed accompaniments. Plan your meals, whether cooking ahead of time or simply having the ingredients necessary to prepare your own meals, cutting out eating out will have a huge affect on your waistline and wallet. If this isn't possible, there are many options available in the city for healthy meals and snacks delivered to your door such as FitOrganix, Four925 and Fuel Nutrition.
One of my favorite guides is Joyous Health, a easy read filled with amazing recipes and tips. Do not deprive yourself but rather retrain yourself to look at eating differently.
There is no quick fix, an hour a week out of the 168 available is not enough to counteract poor diet choices, desk jobs and overall dormant lifestyles. Life is about creating a balance.
