2. Don't be too Proud to Modify When first starting out on your fitness journey, you will probably not be able to do everything right off the bat. If you're finding something is a bit too difficult or strenuous, don't risk injuring yourself. Yes, it's good to push yourself, but not if it means doing something your body isn't ready for. If you're choosing a program like Turbo Fire -- high intensity and high impact -- it is so so so important to modify. High Impact moves can be very dangerous to your joints if you're not strong enough to support the movements. Some programs (like Turbo Fire or Kenpo X on P90X) are so fast-paced it can be difficult to keep up. It's important to not get hung up on whether you're doing all the moves perfectly - just keep moving... as long as you are also paying attention to tip number 1.
3. Fuel Your Body While I'm not going to go into specifics about my nutritional philosophy, I do want to stress one thing your body absolutely needs to support your fitness lifestyle: PROTEIN! It's not just for bodybuilders or dudes. Protein is important for building muscle, but it's not just about getting bulk. When you workout, you breakdown muscle tissue, and your body needs to repair and rebuild - that's where the protein is a necessity. And here's the kicker -- building muscle will help you lose fat! As you build muscle your metabolism gets a boost which helps it burn your fat stores. Very cool. It is best to eat the protein within 30 minutes of finishing your workout to help your body repair. I, personally, love love love a good protein mix - my favorite being Only Protein, because it's made from grassfed beef, is gluten free, and contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or artificial ingredients. It also tastes amazing. There are also vegan options for protein mixes, such as But it costs a pretty penny, so if you can't afford a good protein mixes, grab a cup of greek yogurt, chow down on a hardboiled egg, or enjoy some almond butter with apples.
I also like to eat protein prior to working out, but not a whole lot, since I don't want a full stomach weighing me down. It's up to you, though. You will find some folks recommend eating before working out, and others recommend not. In my opinion, it's all a matter of personal preference.
4. Hydrate ---- but not as much as you think
I know you've heard that you need close to 8 glasses of water a day, and need to hydrate during and after workouts to recover lost sweat. Yup, that's the general consensus hovering around; however, I just recently came across an article that discusses hydration and how much water -- straight water -- we really need. The food you eat contains water -- those veggies, that fruit, everything contains water and contributes to your overall hydration. Coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda -- while often unhealthy choices -- also count toward your daily water intake. The amount of water my body needs is different from what you need, so I can't give you a number. Basic rule of thumb, drink when you're thirsty. So... Listen to your body, and don't force yourself to drink water your body doesn't need. After all, consuming too much water can actually be harmful.
So there you go. These are tips I personally live by, but I encourage you to do your own research and make decisions for your own lifestyle. Get out there, get fit, and have fun!!!
April is a new lover of running and all things fitness. After having her second baby, she set and conquered her fitness goals - having now completed four 5K races, including a mud run, and having worked her way up to doing 5 unassisted pull-ups. She is registered to do the Tough Mudder in Colorado this summer, and is just praying she survives. She writes about faith, family, and her life as an Army National Guard wife and stay-at-home mom over at Hearts On Guard. 
