TV Host Shares 6 Tips to Get in the Best Shape of Your Life
Do you want to become the best version of yourself in 2025? Maggie Jackson is a lifestyle journalist on KTLA 5 News whose mission is "helping busy mamas find joy with easy (and kinda healthy) life hacks." In a new social media post, she reveals exactly how she got into the best shape of her life in 2024. Looking forward to a stronger and healthier 2025! If you're struggling with your health or weight, my best advice is to be KIND to yourself and SIMPLIFY your routine," she writes in the post, revealing her recommendations.
Focus on Adding Instead of Restricting
Her first recommendation? Focus on adding instead of restricting. "Restricting sucks, in my opinion. Not only is it not fun to have to say 'no' to your favorite dessert at a party, but I've rarely seen restrictions work as a long-term solution for anyone. Sure, you can remove all bread products for a couple of months and lose some pounds, but what happens when you want to eat bread again? How sad is it when your child wants to bake their favorite bread recipe with you?" she writes in her post. "Instead, I like to focus on adding more good into my diet so it cancels out the bad. I eat so much protein and veggies that there's not much room for carbs and sugar. If I prioritize eating for my well-being first, I don't feel so bad about having a few bites of bread or dessert."
RELATED: 7 Science-Backed Tips That Maximize Weight Loss Results on Semaglutide
Move Your Body Daily
Next, move your body every day. "Let's face it, busy working parents don't always have the time to squeeze in a full workout every day. But, I decided I'd never let that be my excuse for being sedentary. I move almost every single day in some way. While I wish it was a 30-50 minute workout every day, some days it's simply a walk around my block, a 15-minute yoga video, or sprints up and down my staircase while cooking dinner," she writes in the post.
Follow the 80/20 Rules
Her next recommendation? "Eat by 80/20 rule," she says. "To piggyback off #1, I use the 80/20 rule as a guide for eating every day to keep me focused. I can't imagine being extremely restrictive, but I also don't want to overindulge. I LOVE chocolate and eat it almost every day. But, I stick to the 80/20 rule and only eat a small square or two a day rather than lots of chocolate throughout the day on top of other less healthy food decisions."
Cook and Eat Homemade Meals
Number four? "Eat fresh homemade meals 90% of the time," she recommends. "Cooking and preparing our family's meals keeps our health on track. I love that I know exactly what ingredients are in our meals (and we save money cooking at home!). Every Sunday, I prepare a meal calendar for the week to simplify our breakfast, lunch, and dinner routines."
RELATED: Expert Reveals 5 High-Protein Swaps That Double Protein Per Calorie
Do Pilates, HIIT, Weights, Running
The type of exercise you do matters. "Incorporate Pilates, HIIT, weights & running," Jackson suggests. "These are the workouts that I've found to be most effective for my body and the time I have available to work. I'm obsessed with @solidcore!"
Listen to Your Body
And last but not least? "Listen to your body!" she writes. "The most important! Take time to connect to yourself and understand what you need to be your happiest, healthiest self. If you're recovering from the flu, it's okay to lie down all day. If your muscles are sore, take a day to stretch instead of trying a new HIIT class. Love your body! These photos were taken after 5 days of no workouts from being sick!" And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss these 3 Simple Stretches Made This Coach More Flexible in 2 Weeks.
