Tips for Toning Up and Leading a Healthy Lifestyle

[ninetynine]

Hi everyone. I have been really into working out (mainly cardio), toning up, and eating healthy lately, so I wanted to share with you some of my tips on how to achieve this. I feel happy with myself both physically and mentally.

Keep in mind that this Take is intended for people who want to maintain/lower weight and tone up, rather than to gain weight and bulk up.

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Start off the day with a hot cup of green tea! Add in lemon or honey for extra flavor. Green tea helps boost metabolism, which gives you more energy to burn off more calories. It has a bunch of other health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol, lowering high blood pressure, and improving brain function.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day – aim for 8 cups. I have a water bottle that I fill up and take everywhere with me. Additionally, avoid sugary drinks like soda and juice.

Eat a banana about an hour before a workout. Bananas are packed with nutrients and give you energy.

Do 30 to 45 minute sessions of intense cardio a few times a week (or more). Running is my favorite way to stay in shape, but I realize that not everyone likes it very much. You could also try the elliptical, swimming, bike riding, hiking, a favorite sport with friends, or hula-hooping – basically anything that gets your heart rate up!

Do crunches. Switch it up by leaning your body to the right and then to the left in an X motion. You can incorporate your legs as well, as depicted in the photo below.

Do the “pelvic thrust” exercise where you lie down with your knees up, and lift up your butt.

Do squats.

'Nuff said. ↑

Keep in mind that the basic formula to losing weight is to burn off more calories than you take in. Eating mostly healthy and exercising is bound to give you awesome results. A good rule of thumb when buying food is to check the nutrition labels and make sure that the ingredient lists aren’t insanely long, containing things like artificial preservatives. The shorter the list the better.

This site provides a list of ingredients to avoid: https://www.wakingtimes.com/2013/03/04/20-ingredients-to-memorize-and-avoid-in-any-food-you-consume/

Some healthy snacks that I like include:

• Celery dipped in peanut butter


• Yogurt with oats


• Fruits


• Nuts


• Salad


• Cheese and whole wheat crackers


• Homemade popcorn

[RJGraveyTrain]

I've written many takes on the subject and I have to say this is solid information, but i like to encourage women to not shy away from weights. Weights can be used to help you tone up as well as long as you know how to use them properly and it's also helpful in maintaining your bones joints, as women have a higher risk of forming osteoporosis in the future. Of course, all exercise aids in this but having strong muscles around the joints is extra great and helpful.

[kelvinmed]

Great tips and take. I would encourage you to make more mytakes with some more bodyweight exercises and snacks options.

I noticed that what works personally when I travel or at home is to workout with resistance bands and a jump rope. You get to have cardio and resistance training which tones

[Falling4UTC]

Awesome take and perfect timing too! I've just started working out and eating healthy (bought a load of fruit, drinking so much water and excersizing a lot.) I have to try the tea! How many times a week do you do a full workout, and how long have you been working out?

[ninetynine]

That's awesome! I've been really into the gym for about three years now (up until then I played soccer). I usually go like 4 times a week. Other days I'll just do some yoga exercises and squats at home, haha.

For me, the hardest part about going to the gym is after I've taken a long break (vacations, holidays, busy weeks, etc) and have to kind of force myself to go. But once I get back into the routine of going a lot, I actually crave and look forward to it.

[Falling4UTC]

Awesome 😊 I'm trying to be the healthiest I can, so I'm gonna try to go to the gym as much as possible. And yea I totally understand, lately I've been so into going to the gym and I miss it when I'm not there. A few weeks ago I was someone who never understood the point of excersizing 😂 (I could sit on the couch all day eating junk food and not get fat.)
But now I realize it makes you feel so good overall and it is an awesome lifestyle

[1233584378]

Amazing 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍. I started doing Yoga, but then stopped. I need to start doing it continously! I do it at home, and know basic steps.

Really wanna try green tea! How do you make it?

[ninetynine]

Yoga is great!

All you have to do is put a tea bag in a mug, heat up water with a tea kettle, and then add the hot water to the mug. Things you can add in: lemon or lemon juice, honey, vanilla, or ginger. I usually buy this brand: d21v8ds80btn1q.cloudfront.net/.../473032.jpg

[ninetynine]

Actually, I get the caffeinated version of that ^

[1233584378]

Hmm i might get a green tea bag from poundworld looooool

[BruceTrails]

Good thing I love green tea :p and only drink water. thanks for this mytake I will try to do those crunches and other exercises tomorrow.

[ChocoLada]

Cool MyTake, good advices :D

[ConsultantIsBack]

Hell yeah!!! Great writing!! :)

[Ashely_Princess]

Great myTake 😄👍