A Personal Trainer’s Advice On Getting Healthy in 2020

As we head further into 2020, those New Year’s resolutions can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. It’s easy to lose sight of the long journey ahead and U.S. News & World Report claims 80% of all resolutions fail, but you don’t have to be a statistic. Here at Salsarita’s, we make it easy for you to stay on track with a healthy eating lifestyle by offering a fresh variety of ingredients that you can custom make to fit any dietary needs. From flame-grilled chicken to juicy Pico de Gallo, we’re taking the prep out of meal prep. However, we know that achieving your goals can be so much more than a meal. We enlisted the help of Rachel Nicely, a Certified Personal Trainer that has inspired thousands online with her optimistic and upbeat look on healthy living.  

What are 3 tips you give to your clients that helps them stay on track with their goals?

1. Little by little, a little becomes a lot

Often, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the daunting weight we place on ourselves with a New Year’s resolution. Whether your goal is to trim 5 inches from your waist or even just drinking one extra cup of water a day, you must focus on the present. The secret to any successful lifestyle change is understanding that you cannot get to tomorrow without successfully completing today.

2. Constant words of affirmation

Positive self-talk, a supportive system around you, and accountability are all essential to a successful goal becoming reality. When working with my clients, I like to make self-talk the most relevant. In order to create the process you must constantly remind yourself of how capable you truly are, not how you are.

3. Motivation is fleeting. Discipline is not.

January is the time where everyone seems to be reinventing their healthy lifestyle, but what happens when the motivation is over? Developing a system of discipline is not only crucial, but required when starting your quest to a healthier, attainable lifestyle in the new year.

What is one big myth about ‘diets’ that you wish more people understood?

When on the market for a new diet, there is always an enemy. Sometimes the enemy is carbs, other times it is fat, or sugar, or anything else we can consume that stands between yourself and weight loss. In mainstream diets, the truth behind fat loss gets misconstrued and unfortunately twisted. The best diet is simply the one you can commit yourself to. The science behind losing unwanted weight is eating in a caloric deficit. Put simply, eating less calories than is required to maintain your current weight. Going into the New Year, don’t get fooled by the crazy antics of the fitness industry! Use trial and error to find what works for you. Every day presents a new opportunity for you to get healthier, so you’ve got time!

If you had to pick ONE healthy habit for someone to start in 2020, what would it be?

If I could pick just one healthy habit for someone to start in 2020, it would be the implementation of resistance training in their everyday life. Not only does this type of training work against the negative effects of aging such as osteoporosis, it also makes us less insulin resistant, creates for more restful nights of sleep, assists in chronic disease management, and so much more. Resistance training can look like lifting weights in the gym, taking your dog for a walk, lifting your kids up more often, and even working in the yard. Resistance training is absolutely necessary to a long, fulfilling, mindful life.  

Similarly, if someone was looking to get a healthier lifestyle in 2020, where do they start?

We live in a time where getting healthier has never been easier, although this creates somewhat of a double-edged sword. Between the Instagram fitness gurus, the mega-gyms, and the presence of bringing the gym to your home, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are a few starters for 2020:

1. Know yourself

What we need as individuals varies, what works for me may not work for you and that’s okay! If you are someone who needs serious accountability, find a personal trainer in your area. If you are someone who needs an instructor but not quite 100% 1-on-1, find a group fitness class or gym. If you enjoy your solitude in the gym, but need some guidance find a knowledgeable online guide or trainer.  If you don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, invest in at-home training equipment.

2. Invest

For many, the barrier between themselves and change is the investment. Whether it is time, money, or anything else that may get between you and your new lifestyle, know that an investment is going to be necessary. Understanding that the investment is not always monetary is key! Make 2020 the year you invest in yourself and your new lifestyle.

3. Just commit

When starting a healthier lifestyle, it is easy to over-analyze. Start with a small, attainable goal and do whatever you need to do to commit yourself 100% to it. Understanding that being uncomfortable, unsure, and awkward is all a part of the process. When you commit yourself fully, that is when your goal truly becomes your lifestyle.   Follow Rachel Nicely on Instagram for fitness tips, workouts, and fun facts on nutrition!