5 Tips from a Philly Wellness Coach to Keep You in Shape This Summer

Photo by John Michael Szczepaniak Gillece @Johnmichaeliam

In a post-pandemic summer atmosphere, the days are especially busy again with work and the return of nightlife. While we’re thrilled to be out and about again, making time for health and fitness can get lost in the shuffle. 

That’s why we spoke to local fitness and wellness coach Angelena Minniti to learn her go-to tips on getting back in shape while still going out and having fun. For Minniti, the path to success is all about a balanced approach that can guide everyone to success.

“A ton of my followers have stopped the mindset of giving up,” Minniti says. “I’ve helped a lot of people stay in the fitness game, stay in the movement game because they don’t give up as fast as they used to.”

You can check out Minniti’s balanced approach at the upcoming, in-person Be Well Yoga Flow, featuring a MyCooler QR code spot that will reward you with freebies (like a free Michelob ULTRA!) for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But until then, check out her top tips on finding the right routines for you.

Start small.

Minniti says that while sometimes even moving your body for five to 10 minutes a day can be challenging, setting small, achievable goals along the way makes that path a lot easier.

“I’m always reminding people to look for small wins,” Minniti says. “You don’t lose interest, and it kind of helps you to get to that bigger overall goal.”

Minniti encourages setting incremental goals according to a larger plan to keep the momentum going. She says that her followers’ responses to the small victories mantra have been overwhelmingly positive. It helps her followers realize that it’s unrealistic to give themselves just two weeks to get to their ideal weight—but instead of disappointment, they enjoy the progress being made.

Begin your day earlier—even just by five minutes.

Since you’re starting small, you also don’t need to transform your routine—just tweak it.

“It all starts with an extra five minutes in the morning to do something extra throughout the morning, and throughout your day,” Minniti says.

Minniti emphasizes that what her followers decide to do with these five minutes is up to them––this could be journaling, meditating, going for a quick walk, or even just mindfulness and breathing. This small habit has the potential to lead to something bigger.

“This five minute habit can quickly turn to 10 minutes because suddenly you’re like, ‘Whoa, I really enjoyed that five minute walk this morning; I’m going to go for 10 minutes,’” Minniti says. “And then before you know it you find yourself walking a mile in the morning before you sit down for work.”

Photo by John Michael Szczepaniak Gillece @Johnmichaeliam

Focus on function.

While cardio might seem like the most healthy choice, Minniti notes that it’s actually important to be holistic with exercise—and with the right kind of training, you can get your cardio, muscle building and stretching done all in one routine.

“My main focus is functional strength training, with movements you can use throughout your day,” Minniti says. “We want to be able to have stability and balance.”

Minniti notes that ‘strength training’ has a connotation of using a ton of equipment, but functional strength training is very doable at home. This includes squats, planks and single leg stability exercises. These kinds of exercises raise your heart rate and burn calories, while simultaneously building the muscles that help your body function correctly throughout the day. 

Develop a plan that works for you.

Minniti emphasizes the importance of realizing that there is no “one size fits all” workout routine or plan that everyone will be able to stick to.

“What works for your friend or your neighbor, it might not work for you. So, listen to your body. Move your body in a way that feels right for you,” Minniti says.

That said, not all plans are created equal. Sticking to a schedule is key. The schedule should include both time for fitness and personal time, and the two should never be intertwined. If working out is the only personal time you have allotted for yourself, Minniti says, it’s easy for working out to start feeling like a chore.

Don’t deprive yourself.

Minniti says living a balanced, healthy lifestyle does not mean giving up all the foods and drinks that you enjoy. She emphasizes that moderation is key because when people sacrifice all of the things they like for the sake of their health or fitness journey, they end up hating it, quitting, and then starting over again.

“Don’t give up on everything. Don’t give up things you love,” Minniti says. “Think about how many times you are inclined to stop, how many times you’ve said ‘I can’t keep this up because it’s the worst thing ever,’ so you’re on that constant spiral of stopping and starting over again.”

Instead, Minniti advises a balance she describes as “80 percent and 20 percent.” 80 percent involves eating the foods which your body truly needs, and the 20 percent is the foods and drinks that you enjoy. That 20 percent can still make you feel good about how you’re progressing—Michelob ULTRA, for example, is a great choice for someone looking for a great tasting, low carb, low cal beer. After all, the work is only worth it if you enjoy it.

“You don’t have to completely give up anything that you enjoy. I seriously go to everyone who I have in my community and tell them, ‘Go out and have that beer,’” Minniti says. “Obviously in moderation, but keep those social events in your life.”

Check out the upcoming Be Well Yoga Flow and reward yourself for getting in the flow with a crisp, cold Michelob ULTRA.