With so much information out there about fitness, weight loss, and wellness, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
But after years of trial and error, I’ve discovered that it doesn’t have to be as complicated as it seems.
There are just five simple things that have made all the difference for me when it comes to staying fit and maintaining my weight.
The rest? It’s mostly noise and marketing.
I’m giving you permission to scrap everything you know about weight loss to focus taking these five actions instead, and watch how easily you become a fit, healthy person!
Here are the five things no one tells you about weightless and staying fit that will make the most impact with the least amount effort:
1. Consistency is Key: Find the Fitness Routine That Works for You
I’ll let you in on a little secret. I’ve played sports my entire life, but I never really liked conditioning part of it. Sure, I loved the benefits that came with being part of a sports team—comradery, competition, athleticism and visibility—but when it came to sprints, conditioning, or anything that resembled running my ass off, I’d look for any excuse to skip it.
Once I stopped playing organized sports, I struggled to stay consistent with my fitness routine. It wasn’t until I found something that held me accountable—a personal trainer—that I finally cracked the code to maintaining my fitness.
Having someone schedule my workouts and expecting me to show up kept me on track. It was also a luxury to not have to plan my workouts. With a trainer your job is to get up, get dressed, make your water bottle, just show up on time and put in the work for 30-60 minutes.
Over the past decade, I’ve realized that consistency beats everything else.
Another workout I absolutely loved was Cyclebar! It added the cardio piece to my weight lifting routine and leveled up my fitness routine. Here’s my two-cents on my Cyclebar experience if you’re interested in adding indoor cycling to your workout mix!
So, how can you apply this? Whether it’s working with a trainer, joining a class, or finding a workout buddy, you need to find something that you will show up for—consistently.
It doesn’t matter if you’re terrible at it at first. Just showing up is half the battle. And once you do that enough, results will follow.
Tip: The best workout is the one that you’ll do regularly. Consistency always outweighs random, high-intensity bursts of fitness.
2. Build Muscle, Burn Fat: The Power of Weight Training
There is still the myth that cardio is great for weight loss, but here’s what really matters: lifting weights.
If you want to burn fat, build strength, and stay youthful, you need to incorporate weight training into your routine. Not only does lifting weights help build muscle, but it also boosts your metabolism.
The more muscle you have, the more calories your body burns at rest. Plus, it keeps you strong, reduces your risk of injury, and helps you maintain bone density as you age.
Trust me, adding strength training to your workouts will make a huge difference in how you look and feel. If that is not enough, stop cardio all together and you will not be hungry all the time 😉 Thank me later.
If you’re intimidated by the weight room, don’t be. Start with small weights and simple moves. Over time, as your body adjusts, you’ll feel stronger and more capable.
Tip: Aim for at least two strength-training sessions a week. You will not “bulk up” is that still a belief anymore? But you will get lean and toned and clear your brain fog.
3. Cook at Home: Control Your Food, Control Your Weight
This one is huge. If you want to maintain your weight or even drop a few pounds, make it a habit to cook at home as much as possible.
Eating out—even if you choose healthy options—often comes with hidden sugars, unhealthy fats, and oversized portions. When you cook your own meals, you’re in control of what goes on your plate.
I made it my goal to cook everything at home in the weeks leading up to my pregnancy, and the results were incredible. I dropped weight effortlessly and even managed to conceive on the first try at age 38! I firmly believe that preparing my own meals was a major factor.
Craving fast food? No problem—just make a healthier, homemade version. You’ll be amazed at the difference you’ll see within a few weeks.
Tip: Cooking at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple with wholesome ingredients, and try out some of my copycat recipes like my First Watch Pesto Chicken Quinoa Bowl and Starbucks Egg Bites recipes.
4. Get Enough Sleep: Prioritize Rest to Avoid Cravings
We’ve all been there—after a sleepless night, you wake up craving carbs, sweets, and junk food. It’s not your imagination; lack of sleep messes with your body’s hunger hormones, making it harder to resist unhealthy foods.
When you’re running on empty, your willpower is depleted, and you’re more likely to reach for quick fixes that give you energy in the short term but wreak havoc on your long-term goals.
Prioritizing sleep not only keeps your cravings in check but also helps your body recover from workouts and boosts your mental clarity. If you’re serious about losing weight or staying fit, make sure you’re getting at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
Tip: Aim for a consistent sleep schedule, and create a bedtime routine that helps you unwind and prepare for a restful night.
5. Be Patient: It Takes Time (Especially for Women)
Here’s one that no one talks about enough—be patient with yourself. It takes time for your body to make noticeable and lasting changes. For women, especially, our bodies are impacted by hormones, and changes may take a bit longer to manifest.
Personally, I’ve found that it takes about four menstrual cycles for me to see significant changes in my body when I’m making health and weight loss a priority. Your body needs time to adjust and trust that it’s safe to release the fat it’s holding on to. The more patient and kind you are with yourself, the more your body will cooperate.
So, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see instant results. Keep showing up, keep being consistent, and you’ll get there.
Tip: Track your progress, not just by the scale, but by how you feel—more energized, stronger, and more in control. I use the P Tracker app to track my moods and notes on how I am feeling that allows me to see patterns that help me connect the dots between my hormones, sleep and eating habits, and what might impact me and divert from my goals. The app also has a data and privacy policy that “adamantly opposes government overreach” and believes that it would be a violation of human rights if there were a situation where the government would subpoena private user data. So I very much support this app maker.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Stay Consistent
When it comes to staying fit and losing weight, it’s easy to get distracted by the latest trends or complicated advice. But the truth is, staying fit is simpler than you think. Find what works for you, be consistent, prioritize sleep, and be patient with your body.
These five minimal-effort strategies will help you maintain your weight and stay fit without living in the gym or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Stick with these basics, and you’ll see lasting results.
Now it’s your turn—what’s your secret to staying fit and healthy without a lot of effort? Share in the comments below!
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