After the holidays everyone’s initial reaction is to try and make up for their bad behavior and lack of exercise. Danielle Harrison, Fitness Curator at Ink48, A Kimpton Hotel has five simple tips to get you back into shape in 2014!
1. PLAN OUT YOUR MEALS. Don’t wait until your stomach is growling to decide what to make for dinner. It is important and easier for your diet to plan out your meals for the week or the morning of. If you have to think about what to eat, where to get it, or how long it will take to make, you will tend to just go with the easiest option, which is most likely the unhealthiest. Plan ahead!
2. DON’T OVER DO IT. Don’t go back to the gym for 3 hours in one day trying to make up for everything you have missed. Start out with an hours’ worth of exercise, and understand that the first day back might be a struggle but you will bounce back quickly (if you are a returning gym goer), or you will adapt quickly if you are a new comer.
3. DEFINE YOUR GOALS. Depending on what your goals are, hiring a personal trainer is an excellent way to stay accountable to someone who can monitor and track your progress. If you buy a package of classes or training sessions you will be more likely to use it because you’ve already spent the money. For a more cost effective option, opt for a fitness friend or running buddy. This way, when you are too tired to work out, you will have your friend pushing you to hit the gym together.
4. COMBAT CRAVINGS. During the holidays sugar is what people eat the most. Now is the time when your body is craving the cakes and cookies you have been eating for the last few weeks. To combat the cravings, keep apples, grapes and raisins nearby to help curb the sugar cravings. Other great snack options include almonds, or a spoonful of natural peanut butter.
5. BOOK A FITNESS MINDED HOTEL. Traveling can be taxing on the body as it is; adding in a hotel that doesn’t offer any fitness options equals disaster. Nowadays, there are plenty of hotels with 24-hour fitness centers, including Ink48. In addition to the state of the art fitness center, the hotel offers guests a “Runner’s Amenity Kit” which provides guests some popular running accessories in case they have forgotten to take them along for their trip. All Kimpton hotels now have in-room yoga mats and complimentary branded bikes that guests can enjoy on the busy streets of NYC; or the Hudson River Park and or Central Park, both close by.
Stay fit!
