It’s 2021! Not sure if it will be a better year than 2020, but it can be a year that we strive a little harder to stay in shape.

Do you ever see that really fit person that makes it look easy? You wonder if they were just gifted with good genes however most likely they have built up a set of habits over time that allows them to stay in shape without putting in a lot of effort. And those habits can make all the difference between staying fit or being a certified couch potato!

Check out some ways below to stay in shape this year:

1. Stop dieting

While I recommend sticking to a structured nutrition plan, the key to staying fit is learning to listen to your body. What keeps you feeling full and energised throughout the day? What helps you to stay and feel healthy and fit?

Learning to answer these questions for yourself will help you embrace healthy eating as a lifestyle and stick to a manageable meal plan.

Do not, however, feel guilty about an occasional treat. Just don’t let it become a daily habit or you’ll end up losing all the hard work you put in on your workouts.

2. Find a way to enjoy exercise

If you are one of those people that dreads every moment of exercise, it’s time to find a different approach. Although it may not mean you are super excited as you lace up your shoes, it does mean that you value the feeling of a healthier you over the desire to sit on the couch.

If you really despise exercising the problem may be your workout. Everyone enjoys different things. Find something you like whether it’s yoga, boot camp, CrossFit or something else entirely and start looking forward to your workouts and not dreading them.

3. Prioritise your health

We are all guilty for letting family, social engagements and other priorities get in the way of our plans for exercise. However if we truly want to have success, we must make exercise a priority no matter what. This may mean waking up earlier when you’d rather be sleeping , working out on your vacation or even squeezing in workouts during busy times at work.

3. Get more sleep

One of the most important things that we need to do to stay fit is to get our rest. Getting sufficient rest helps to regulate your metabolism, assist in performance and repair your muscles. Aim for at least seven to eight hours per night and you’ll feel healthier, happier and fit overall.

4. Make fIt friends

If all of your friends are eating junk all week and choosing sedentary activities it makes it a little challenging to stay focused. However if your friends are into healthy cooking, fresh foods and outdoor activities it helps to keep you on track.

It may be challenging at first if you have friends that aren’t quite there yet, but you can try and encourage them to be healthy too with small adjustments to your usual sedentary activities. You could suggest active weekends instead of watching a movie. When travel becomes a thing again, try and centre yours around activities such as hiking, cycling or kayaking - anything that keeps you moving.

Don’t be scared! Believing that you can be fit and healthy is half the battle. Stay focused and B-Active For Life.

Betty Doyling is a certified fitness trainer and figure competitor with more than a decade of experience. Look for B ActiveForLife on Facebook