LO4 - Draft 2

Everyday Fitness - A Guide

Personal fitness is an elusive goal that everyone tries to attain at some point. There's a whole host of health books, diets and a new exercise regime coming out every week, each one 'guaranteeing results', substantiate this.


But do any of these methods actually work?


'Too many cooks spoil the broth', and this goes for most things in life, physical wellbeing included. In an effort to simplify the neverending everchanging web of information on this subject, we have assembled a catalogue of quick tips from local experts, organisations and websites, that provide you the basics needed to get fit - no bells or whistles required.


1. Diet

5:2, SIRT, New Atkins, there are more diets than people who need them at this point, and while one might recommend kale and the other quinoa, they (almost) always have the basics required for a healthy lifestyle.
Don't go overboard on red meat and anything of the fried variety - fish, eggs and white meat are all great suppliers of the good stuff needed to build some serious muscle. Yes, this is more expensive than oven chips or frozen pizza, so do it in segments. First, make one day of the week your 'healthy' day, then add another, and another until it fills your whole week (but don't worry, you're allowed a treat every now and then).
Ah, the feared e-word. Believe it or not, you don't have to be pumping iron 24/7 to stay healthy. In fact, if you want to get slimmer, have more energy and not break the bank, cardio is the way to go.

Running - I know, if you're searching for a way to get in shape you've heard this a hundred times before, so I'll only cover it briefly. Running is great, but you don't have to sprint 10 miles every day to get the results you crave. The key is to set yourself manageable goals - try running for 10 minutes after work, next time up it to 15, or switch up the route. Tedium is the bane of runners everywhere, so do whatever you can to avoid it. No matter where you are, from a remote village in the Yorkshire Dales to the centre of London, there will be a running clun near you, so once you feel confident enough join up, you'll meet loads of likeminded people, and even get some tips on the way!

Cycling - A bit trickier given that not everyone has a bike, and urban settings aren't exactly stress-free areas where you can dip your toe into the world of bike riding. There are two options here:

Either you can dedicate one part of your week, it could be a Tuesday morning or a whole Saturday, where you go somewhere and just ride. The countryside, a local park or even a quiet neighbourhood is perfect. And once you start to enjoy it, kick it up a notch - time yourself going from one place to the other, and try and beat it the next time your there, make a deal with yourself to go up that massive hill and reward yourself afterwards. The benefit of cycling over running is that you can actually enjoy your surroundings, so make sure you choose a nice spot.

3. Lifestyle

We've already covered the big ticket items above, but there are still ways to get fit and healthy just by slightly adjusting the little things you do.

For example, there have been many studies linking sleep to a healthy lifestyle. The longer you nod off, the more weight slips off! While this won't make a big impact compared to changing your diet or exercising more, every little counts, and the less tired you are the more likely you'll be to stick with your work out or diet, and as consistency is everything when keeping fit this goes miles.

Have fun. As simple as it may sound, if you don't give yourself time to enjoy yourself than you're not going to put yourself through the hoops required to get fit. So splurge every now and then, eat that piece of cake that's got your name on it, go out for drinks even if it's not the healthiest option. Have fun, but as with everything don't go overboard. A good tip is to keep it as a reward after achieving a goal, then you'll be much more motivated to achieve the next.

And just to get you really inspired, here are a few online experts with some tips on how to start your new healthy lifestyle!

Adam Bornstein - Often considered the law when it comes to health, this guy has done it all. Accomplished writer for Men's Health and the New York Times, experienced interviewer and all-around know-it-all abut fitness. Plus, his website offers you his advice for free, and you can't get a more reliable source.

Joe Wicks (AKA The Body Coach) – Having recently taken the fitness world by storm, this Instagram celebrity has published two books as well as having his own website, both of which guide you through both fitness and diet.

Amy Dix – A mother of 3 who is also a personal trainer and has also released her own e-book, this woman cam obviously achieve anything. And the great thing it, she’s willing to help everyone else achieve as well. Her Twitter account is full of useful tips and motivation to help you on your way to your goals.


Positives of my article

Social media personalities appropriate for the audience, and are the natural next step for the audience

Language is informal and suited to the audience


Negatives of my article

Lacks conclusion