7 Ways for Women to Get Back in Club-Hopping Shape

Some people spent the last couple of years taking up new hobbies, learning new skills, and getting in shape, while others (let’s face it, most of us) focused on getting through the best ways we knew how and finding comfort wherever we could. Curling up on the couch in a favorite old t-shirt and sweatpants and noshing on snacks while binge-watching TV is a completely valid response to the collective trauma we’ve all been through, but it’s not a recipe for staying in shape. 

Now that COVID restrictions are lifting and things are starting to open up again, you’re no doubt itching to finally put on that cute outfit (or two, or seven) you bought during those marathon online shopping sprees and head out to do some serious clubbing, but maybe those outfits are a little tight and you aren’t sure if your energy levels are quite what they need to be if you don’t want to be exhausted before the night amps up into high gear. If you need to boost your fitness so you’re back up to monster party level, follow these tips to get back into shape.

1. Focus on an Exercise You Enjoy

You’re a lot more likely to stick with an exercise routine if you’re doing something you really like. You can find a sense of peace and stability in a daily exercise ritual, no matter what activity you choose. The key is to find joy in it and work out because you want to, not because you have to, and before you know it, you’ll be ready to hit your favorite hip hop and Latin club. San Diego folks have an advantage because of the area’s fantastic weather, so it’s easy to get outside and just get your body moving. 

2. Think about What You Should Eat Instead of What You Shouldn’t

Diet fads and the weight loss culture focus on what we shouldn’t eat. Messages about low-carb diets, no-fat products, and sugar-free labels are everywhere. Put all that aside and stop worrying about what you shouldn’t be eating. Instead, get excited about the healthy foods you are eating, whether it’s a yummy salad, a savory stew, a tasty veggie dish, or a fresh smoothie. And when you do treat yourself with cheese, ice cream, or pizza, you can enjoy the real thing instead of less satisfying artificial substitutes.

3. Stay Active throughout the Day

You can get in shape faster and stay that way if you don’t limit your activity to planned workout sessions alone. Try incorporating more movement into your daily life. Even if you spend most of your day in front of a computer, you can still find ways to move more. Take your dog for walks more often, use a standing desk when you work, dance around the house while you’re cooking or getting dressed, and do some gentle stretches while you’re watching TV. 

4. Get Plenty of Rest

Being in good shape is all about balance. Your body needs to move, but it also needs to recover, so schedule time for rest as well as time to work out. Try some gentle stretches if you’re a little tight, or soak in a hot bath with some Epsom salts to soothe sore muscles and relax your mind. And don’t forget to make sleep a high priority. Getting high-quality sleep is one of the most essential things you can do for your body, so stick to a sleep schedule, create a nighttime routine that helps you relax, and make sure your bedroom is quiet and peaceful.

5. Strike a Balance between Too Hungry & Too Full

Diet culture makes us see eating less as the best thing, but you should never feel deprived or so hungry that your body feels weak. Excessive hunger will keep you from being in tune with what your body needs and choosing foods based on what you truly enjoy. Food isn’t your adversary—it’s the source of life-sustaining energy. If you’re often hungry soon after a meal, add more fiber to your diet with whole grains, nuts, veggies, legumes, and seeds. Keep healthy snacks with you in case you get hungry, and make it a habit to have a mid-afternoon snack of some raw veggies or a tossed salad so you won’t get hungry between lunch and dinner.

You also don’t want to eat so much you feel stuffed, which can make you feel sluggish. Chew slowly, be mindful about what you’re eating, and take the time to enjoy it. If you find yourself eating when you aren’t hungry, ask yourself why. It may be due to stress or boredom, so if you’re having cravings that aren’t due to genuine hunger, find ways to satisfy them without food.

6. Stay Away from Fad Diets

There’s no such thing as a healthy fad diet, and even if one helps you lose weight, you’ll put it back on as soon as you go back to your previous habits. Think of eating as a lifestyle. Know which foods make your body feel good and which ones make you feel sick or tired. Listen to your body—it will tell you what it needs to be healthy.

7. Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking lots of water is one of the most important things you can do to get fit and stay healthy. There’s a reason you see people in good shape sipping water constantly. For women, the general guidelines are to drink 11 to 12 cups of water every day. If plain water is boring, add some lemon, lime, or cucumber for flavor.

When you’re feeling fit, energetic, and ready to hit the best clubs in downtown San Diego, head straight to the Onyx Room, a staple of the Gaslamp Quarter nightlife scene. With music genres including hip hop, top 40, urban Latin, reggaeton, bachata, salsa, merengue, regional, cumbia, and Banda, we have something to please everyone’s taste. Our special something attracts an open-minded, up-for-anything, and, above all, incredibly friendly crowd. To learn more about why Onyx Nightclub is the best San Diego nightclub, call us at 619-876-8044.