Five Workout Secrets for a Perfect Body

Whether your New Year’s resolution is to get fit or improve your performance, I’m going to share my top five secrets to getting that perfect body.*

I’ve said many times that it’s impossible to out-train a bad diet. The fact that your diet is a crucial piece of the puzzle, when it comes to achieving your perfect body, can’t be denied. There are many personal trainers, types of equipment and infomercials that may promise you that you can torch away thousands of calories in one simple workout.

Don’t believe the hype. There are two sides to every equation, and in this case the perfect body equation involves a good diet and a good exercise routine. 

Two-Sided Approach
For years, people focused on diet alone to help with weight loss. It was a common topic in the media, but science proves that there are many benefits you can get from being active. Being active on a regular basis can help to improve your physical wellness, slow down the aging process, improve your mood and boost your self-esteem, just to name a few. It can also help you better master your nutritional needs, so that you can keep your body in balance long-term. You’ll start noticing that when you exercise, you’ll crave nutritious foods. When you eat better, you’ll have more energy for exercise.

What Is a Perfect Body?
A perfect body in my mind isn’t all about looks. It’s one that’s healthy and ready to perform the tasks that you need it to, so that you can live a happy and fulfilling life. My definition of perfect is very personal and ever evolving. There’s no set standard of what a perfect body is – despite what the media says. Your perfect body equation could be striving for feeling energized and well, looking fit or performing your best, or some combination of all three. Whatever your definition is, you need to have a 100% good attitude so you can succeed.

Five P’s to a Perfect Body
Use my Five P’s to get your perfect body and to help you get started and stay in control of your own body perfection equation.

Provide
Provide your body with what it needs. The aim of your daily nutrition intake is to give your body the fuel it needs to perform the essential functions of daily life. Your body also needs nutrients to recover, replenish and rebuild itself, especially after a hard workout.

Presence
Today is what’s important because tomorrow isn’t a promise. We’re all guilty of saying “I’ll start tomorrow,” but what’s wrong with today? Start today and be present in the choices you make. The smallest changes can lead to significant results, but you have to start in order to elicit change.

Persistence
Getting fit and feeling healthy should never just be a short-term goal. Yes, you may be motivated by an upcoming event to whip yourself into shape. But to get good results and maintain healthy habits, you must be persistent and committed long-term. Persistence pays off when it comes to establishing new, healthy lifestyle habits. 

Productivity
Make the most of your time and make every second count. Don’t watch TV or read a magazine while you’re on the treadmill. Instead, work hard and keep your intensity high, especially if you only have a short amount of time available for exercise. Mix up your routine, keep it simple and be as practical as possible. Set yourself up for success by making your daily activity goals achievable.

Patience
The best gift you can give yourself is the gift of patience. In order for your body to change, you must give it time to adapt to your new and improved healthy lifestyle habits. Repetition and time is what it takes to form good habits that will last. 

The best approach is to take it one day at a time. I’ll admit it, I’m exhausted by the letter P now! This post was inspired by a perfect stranger I came across at an airport who asked me for my definition of a perfect body. What prompted her to ask? It may have been my slightly out-of-place stretching routine after getting off a 15-hour flight, or maybe it was the wall sits I was doing while waiting for my next flight. I’m happy to say that she left my side with more than a quick answer. She left knowing that we all deserve to be perfectly healthy, and achieving it is simpler than she thought. 

*Before embarking on any physical activity, please consult your physician.