There’s nothing inherently wrong with having a dad bod—you should be proud and content with your body, and you shouldn’t let anyone shame you about it. But maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a great way to fight depression and help your teen make healthy choices. If you have some extra weight that you want to get rid of, here are 7 helpful items that will prove invaluable on your fitness quest.

1.      Healthy Food

No amount of exercise will cause you to lose weight unless you maintain a healthy diet. The most difficult part about eating healthy is that some healthy foods—like salads—aren’t quite as filling as other kinds of meals. Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to stick exclusively to a diet of greens. Just choose lean, healthy meats like chicken and fish. Not sure what kind of meals to cook for yourself? You might benefit from using a health food delivery service for a couple months to get a few ideas on what you can cook (also saves you time for going to the grocery store).

2.      Gym Membership

A gym is a great place to workout because there are lots of different machines that accommodate both cardio and weight lifting. Not to mention that you can get the best workout routine from a fitness trainer San Antonio or one in your city. Just know that not all gyms are made equally. Some offer advanced facilities, like a pool, sauna, and steam room—these may be unnecessary price inflators if you’re not going to use them. Be sure to get a guest pass and visit the gym in person before you buy a gym membership so you can determine whether it’s worth the price. Also remember there are other types of gyms you can workout at, including rock climbing gyms and cycling classes.

3.      Athletic Shoes

Whether you plan on doing weight lifting or cardio, make sure you have a great pair of sports shoes that’ll properly support your body while you’re working out. If you don’t have shoes that give you enough support while you’re doing strenuous exercises, then you’re more likely to suffer from leg and joint pain. You can find shoes that are made specifically for working out in the gym, for running on paved surfaces, and for doing trail running (it’s always so relaxing to go running in a natural environment).

4.      Fitness Tracker

A fitness tracker is a wearable band that tracks a variety of different factors, including:

●        Calories burned

●        Steps taken

●        Heart rate

●        Sleep efficiency

A fitness tracker automatically gauges these things as you go about the day and will give you insight into what you need to do to be healthy and meet your fitness goals. If you’re serious about losing weight and being active, a fitness tracker can be a great way to measure your progress. You can read this blog for an up-to-date guide to the huge variety of stylish, practical, lightweight fitness watches that can help you attain your fitness goals quickly and more easily.

5.      A Workout Buddy

A lot of people are able to keep up their fitness routine for a couple weeks—but then they stop and lose all their progress. The toughest thing about working out is sticking with your routine. If you have difficulty pushing yourself to go to the gym or to go on a run, then you might benefit from having a workout buddy. What’s great about having someone to work out with is that you can hold each other accountable for working out and eating healthy. Furthermore, working out with someone can be fun—you’ll have someone to chat with on the treadmill, or have someone to spot you on the weights.

6.      Protein Supplement

When you're exercising, it's essential to include more protein-rich foods in your diet, especially if you're weight lifting, as protein aids in building new and stronger muscles after a workout. Consider incorporating a protein supplement into your routine by making a protein shake after every workout. If you're exploring protein supplement options, you might want to look into different choices for vegan protein powder, especially if it aligns with your dietary preferences. By incorporating vegan protein powder into your post-workout routine, you can not only provide your body with essential plant-based nutrients but also stay true to your ethical and dietary choices. You can mix the protein powder with water for faster digestion or blend it with milk and fruit for a delicious post-workout treat.

7.      A Great Mattress

When you’re exercising, your body needs good sleep so that it can recover and burn fat. If you don’t get enough sleep, your body might not shed as much fat as you’re hoping or you won’t feel rejuvenated for another workout the next day. A high-quality mattress is well-worth the investment and it’ll help you take back your sleep if you’re struggling with insomnia or weariness during the day.

When you use any of these 7 items, you’ll find it so much easier to stick to your fitness goals and lose weight.