Pearl Nash
Did they just win the jackpot on the genetic lottery? Or are they just hiding the efforts behind their fit body?
While losing weight while staying fit and healthy is a challenge for many, believe it or not, there are those who achieve it without really trying.
So how do they do it? There’s more to it than just luck.
No gatekeeping here-we’ll tell you the 10 habits of the effortlessly fit and healthy.
Let’s get to it!
1) They hang out with healthy and fit people
They say “You are the average of the five people you hang out with.”
And when it comes to health, it actually is.
If you have friends who love to eat junk and play video games all day, well…then you’ll likely become unhealthy by osmosis too.
It will make healthy habits more difficult to stick because essentially, you don’t share the same values system.
On the other hand, if you have friends who love to hike and do yoga, even if you’re not a health nut, your hangouts will likely be in nature with some form of physical activity.
This is the reason why if you want to be fit and healthy, you have to find a partner who wants those same things too!
Not only will you influence each other, you’ll also be directly impacted by their decisions—from what you eat, to how you live on a daily basis.
2) They don’t stock a lot of food from the grocery
I lived in France for two months and what I noticed is that French people don’t buy loads of groceries.
They rarely stockpile food in their fridge and pantries.
Instead, they’d think of what to cook, then go out to buy those ingredients—and nothing more!
They always choose fresh seasonal produce and products with no preservatives.
This means freshly-made bread, fruits, vegetables, and items without a ton of artificial flavors and additives.
Not only do they get fitter from the leisurely task of going to the store and back daily, they are also not tempted to snack because…there are no snacks!
It’s an effortless way to get fit and healthy because if you have to go for a walk just to get your chips or cookies, even if you indulge the craving, you’re clocking in some exercise still.
And it’s much more likely that you’ll just choose the fruit when it’s far more convenient.
3) They’re mindful of their expenses
A year ago, I tried to be as frugal as I could be.
I cut down my expenses in half—including my budget on food.
But that’s not the only thing I cut down. I cut down my weight, too!
Instead of choosing steak and potatoes, I chose rice and veggies.
Instead of having iced coffee, I just had water.
And of course, I removed my food delivery apps!
When you are mindful of your expenses, you end up prioritizing what will keep you full and healthy rather than things that are convenient but expensive.
So you see? You don’t have to obsess over your calorie count.
If you’re mindful of your spending habits, the decision to choose what’s healthier is easier.
4) They bike or walk
So another thing I noticed when I was in France is that people there love to bike and walk.
Very few people drive cars. And so on a normal day, I can achieve 12,000 steps without even trying!
Whether it’s to go to work or to run errands, they’re unlikely to hop into their cars.
With beautiful sidewalks and a safe environment for bikers, walking and biking becomes default over cars.
People there aren’t into gyms too but that’s because they really don’t have much need for it except for those who want to build muscle.
All they have to do is walk and bike to work…et voila! 500 calories burned!
So before you buy that house or move to an apartment, look around and see how conducive it could be to an effortless healthy living.
Is there a park for walks and jogging? Or a public pool, or lake for swimming? Is there a nearby hiking spot?
Just like a plant thrives effortlessly healthy in a good environment, so will you.
5) Their form of exercise is fun
The best way to make workouts effortless is by making it fun.
And how do you know it’s fun? When the words “weight-loss” or “getting fit” aren’t even in the convo.
Remember when you were a kid and you used to run around with friends, climb trees, learn dance moves together, or just played basketball?
You never called it ‘exercise’ then.
This is the reason why when people ask them “Do you exercise?”, they say “No” and really mean it. And then it’s annoying because they’re bodies look amazing!
And it’s because they found their grown up version of play and playmates.
So if you want to be effortlessly fit and healthy, find a hobby that will get you moving.
A bonus is that you might just meet more friends, so on top of the physical fitness, your mental health gets better as well.
6) They enjoy doing chores
They don’t hire a cleaner. They honestly enjoy doing all the cleaning instead!
Are they aliens? Who on earth enjoys chores?!
Believe it or not, there are people who have managed to turn their chores into a pleasurable and even meditative activity.
They’ll listen to their favorite podcast while doing the dishes.
Or they blast dance tunes while mopping the floor and wiping the windows.
They’ll rearrange their furniture then sit back and sip iced tea while savoring the new feel of their home.
All these keeps the body moving so even if they don’t go to the gym, they’re burning calories and building mobility.
So not only do they feel better from the exercise, they reap the health benefits of living in a clean and organized space.
7) They love to read books
You might read this and go “Huh?! Reading? Really?!”
Yes, reading can make you healthy because it makes you sleep better.
It can help decrease cognitive arousal and de-stimulate your brain so you sleep faster and deeper.
When you sleep well, all your organs heal and function better.
There’s a stark difference between reading on a gadget and a book.
Personally, I end up awake past midnight when I’m reading on my phone because the light alone is stimulating, not to mention that it makes it harder to ignore social media and doom scrolling .
But since going back to the habit of reading a good book before I got phone obsessed, I’m sleeping earlier, deeper, and effortlessly.
8) They walk their dog
Owning a dog isn’t just good for your soul, it’s good for your body, too!
Depending on the breed, dogs need to be walked from 30 minutes up to 4 hours every day.
While the walk keeps the dog healthy, it also improves their hooman’s heart fitness, lowers blood pressure, strengthens bones and muscles, all while reducing stress levels.
I know people who never thought about walking for themselves who take up this healthy habit until it becomes a part of their lifestyle for the love of their dog.
So if you’ve always wanted a dog, may this convince you to finally have one.
9) They care for the planet
They don’t drive cars.
They use the stairs instead of the elevator.
They don’t consume a lot of meat.
They choose organic instead of processed foods.
And overall, they just consume less!
Caring for the planet is a surefire way to get a little bit healthier.
What’s funny is that they don’t even concern themselves about looking good—having abs and all that.
But in the end, they’re the ones who are the fittest and healthiest just because they care for the planet!
10) They manage their stress
While other people work so hard to stay in shape, those who stay fit without really trying have relaxation as a part of their daily habit.
When it comes to health and fitness, more isn’t always better because cortisol aka the stress hormone causes a host of negative effects to the body from weight gain, to inflammation, to increased glucose levels.
Whether it’s meditation, art therapy, or breathwork, those who have built habits to manage stress always end up effortlessly more fit than the ones who are spending their night researching nutrition info and their days logging calories.
In short, they don’t obsess about it.
Final thoughts:
We often confuse effort with impact and we often think that the more we do to stay healthier and fit, the more we should reap the benefits.
But consider eliminating the “no pain, no gain” and instead take a more relaxed and holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle.
You don’t need to be on a severely restrictive diet, nor do you have to spend hours in the gym when you live a holistic lifestyle.
So learn from the habits of the effortlessly fit and healthy and before you know it, you’ll be one of them.
