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Three Simple Ways to Work on Your Fitness in 2018

February 2, 2018 By Lena 23 Comments

I don’t do resolutions.

The thing is, I have enough on my plate without worrying about inevitably breaking the promises I’ve made to myself. Plus, if you’re like me, you tend to create resolutions that are highly ambitious (translation: never going to happen) and the last thing I want is to start the year off feeling bad about myself.

So, I work on things. I better myself. Instead of creating a goal to lose five pounds, I make a pact to eat better. Forget about purchasing a gym membership I’ll never use; I simply use apps that fit my lifestyle and celebrate the small victories. Instead of focusing on the end result, I focus on the journey.
However, things don’t just fall into place; I need to have a plan and hold myself accountable for sticking to it. Here’s what I’m doing in 2018 to work on my fitness and to make better lifestyle choices along the way. 

Start with Carrot Rewards. I love this app! Carrot Rewards helps me make better lifestyle choices for myself, my family and for the planet – all while earning Aeroplan Miles, SCENE Points, More Rewards Points, Petro-Points, Drop points and more to come soon! It was named Canadian App of the Year in Mobile Syrup’s 2017 Reader Choice Awards and is currently used by nearly two thirds of a million Canadians! Curious? Here’s how it works:

Download Carrot Rewards for iOS or Android. Choose your rewards program such as Aeroplan, SCENE or Petro Canada points, Drop points (and many more to come!) Start earning rewards right away.

You can earn points two ways:

1) Sync Carrot Rewards with Apple Health or Google Fit to track your steps and earn points every day as you meet your activity goals. Once you’ve had a chance to get used to your daily step goal, you’ll be offered a “Step Up Challenge.” Complete the challenge by meeting your daily step goal 10 out of 14 days, and you’ll earn bonus points in addition to the points you earn for meeting your step goal each day!

2) Carrot Rewards sends offers through the app on a regular basis, in the form of quizzes or surveys. They’re designed to educate and empower you on various health and wellness topics and will usually take only 2 to 5 minutes to complete.
In general, a new offer is available every week, and you can complete as many or as few of the offers as you like! Of course, the more offers you complete, the more points you earn!

Find a Fitness Buddy. It’s no surprise that teaming up with a friend or family member with similar fitness goals is one of the easiest ways to keep accountable and on track. Back in the day, I’d take power walks with my neighbour after the kids were in bed. But now, finding extra time to meet up at the gym or take a yoga class is becoming more and more difficult. Thank goodness for technology!
I’ve invited my girlfriend to join Carrot Rewards so we can “Step Together”. Every day we’ll be able to view how we’re progressing toward our activity goals, allowing us to encourage each other to be the most active and healthy that we can be. And, since we’re both earning Aeroplan Miles while we do it, maybe our ultimate reward will be a vacation in paradise!

Start Small. There’s no such thing as “one plan fits all”, and one of the quickest paths to failure is setting fitness goals that are too aggressive. I know the rule of thumb is 30 minutes, 3 times per week – but don’t be afraid to mix it up.

This year, I focused on meeting my daily step goal (10,000) and incorporating light exercise once per day for 10 minutes. I know, amateur, right? But the feeling of accomplishment for fitting in that 10 minutes inspired me to increase the intensity to 20 minutes per day. Now, one month in, I’ve maintained that activity level! So, starting small has definitely paid off.

How are you working on your fitness in 2018? For more information, visit Carrot Rewards on Twitter or Facebook, or follow along via #CarrotRewards, #WellnessRewarded and #WalkLearnEarn.

This post is sponsored by Carrot Rewards. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #CarrotRewards, #WalkLearnEarn, #WellnessRewarded, carrot rewards, healthy living

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Florence Cochrane

    February 2, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    This sounds like a great motivator. I have been walking or using my treadmill for about 30 minutes a day. The food is the biggest problem of me.

    Reply
    • kathy downey

      March 21, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      Food and making the right choice is very hard for me !

      Reply
  2. ivy pluchinsky

    February 2, 2018 at 7:03 pm

    I need to get this carrot rewards app! I am trying to eat healthier and maintain my weight.

    Reply
  3. Judy Cowan

    February 3, 2018 at 9:10 am

    Just downloaded Carrot rewards, thanks!

    Reply
  4. Janet Meisner

    February 3, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    It is all about simplicity. Thanks for these tips.

    Reply
  5. Lushka Smith

    February 3, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    I’ve been trying to incorporate more steps in my daily routine.

    Reply
  6. LisaM

    February 4, 2018 at 9:02 am

    I really like the carrot app – I just have to remember to sync my fitbit more often!

    Reply
  7. Jonnie

    February 4, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    The Carrot app sounds very motivating. Goals definitely help motivate me.

    Reply
  8. Debbie WhiteBeattie

    February 6, 2018 at 3:46 am

    This sounds like a great way to track your progress and collect more points in the process

    Reply
  9. Sarah alexis

    February 7, 2018 at 2:08 am

    Am totally loving the carrot rewards app – I’m always working on my step goals!!!

    Reply
  10. Heidi c.

    February 7, 2018 at 9:57 am

    I would be happy with 1000 steps a day so kudos to you for your goals and for participating in these challenges. Carrot Rewards is definitely intriguing to me so i will be checking it out.

    Reply
  11. sarah

    February 7, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    I will definitely be checking this app out! I don’t so resolutions but I do set goals and one of the goals of am working on is to try and live a healthier lifestyle.

    Reply
  12. DebH

    February 7, 2018 at 4:35 pm

    I believe the Carrot app is not yet available in my area; hoping it comes here soon!

    Reply
  13. kathy downey

    February 8, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    I am trying to eat healthier and make better choices!

    Reply
  14. Erin N

    February 11, 2018 at 5:03 pm

    I had never heard about this Carrot rewards App before -thanks for informing me :)

    Reply
  15. CHeryl MacPhail

    February 14, 2018 at 8:25 am

    I so have to step it up in 2018!! Healthy eating and more steps here I come!

    Reply
  16. Jaimeem

    February 14, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    I’m always open to trying new fit aps

    Reply
  17. Elizabeth Matthiesen

    March 15, 2018 at 5:27 pm

    I’ve invested in a tread mill to help me get more exercise, it’s difficult in the winter here to go for a walk what with snow and ice all around.

    Reply
  18. kathy downey

    March 19, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    wow,4 pounds down….The Carrot app sounds great!

    Reply
  19. Tara Gauthier

    March 30, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    I love the Carrot App, my fitbit definitely motivates me to stay active and I love the challenges have with friends using it. I would never go to a gym so this works much better for me too.

    Reply
  20. Lisa L

    June 22, 2018 at 8:04 pm

    I’ve never heard of Carrot Rewards before but it sounds like it might help me out a bit!

    Reply
  21. Lushka Smith

    July 6, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Thanks for the motivation!

    Reply
  22. Betty S

    November 5, 2018 at 11:00 am

    I have been using the Carrot app since it first came to Ontario. have had fun challenging my friends to have a goal streak and we have earned extra points. If anyone would like a referral code please use bettys2613

    Reply

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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