'Toned Up' Girls Reveal Most Essential Workout Tip

The fitness gurus also share a simple way to maintain a positive body image.

By Sarv Kreindler Dec 11, 2013, 1:21 PM ET

Already worried about sticking to your New Year's resolutions? The women of Bravo's new show Toned Up are here to help with some tried and true fitness advice. Exercise gurus and best friends Karena Dawn and Katrina Hodgson spoke to Shape about some of the basic tenets that have made their ToneItUp.com business such a runaway hit and changed the lives of millions of women.

"Our number-one rule is to take care of you first," says Katrina. "As women, we're naturally nurturing and catering to others, but if you can work out in the morning and become a morning person, it really does kick off your day on the right foot. You'll be more consistent and happy."

On the other hand, if you find that you aren't able to get to the gym one morning, the key is not to beat yourself up over it. "With life events, friends, parties, and more, you can't expect to be perfect all the time, so learning how to bounce back without being too hard on yourself is valuable to achieving a healthy and happy life," says Karena. "We recommend working your booty off during the week, and if you want to have your favorite treat or go out with your girlfriends on Saturday, it's okay! Life is too short and too much fun not to celebrate it with loved ones. So be 'imperfect'—it actually spells 'I'm perfect.'"

Echoing the positive reinforcements that are central to their business, Karena also discusses the most important tip for maintaining a healthy body image. "Be kind to yourself," she says. "Tell yourself how beautiful you are every morning, that you can make anything happen, and that today is the first day of the rest of your life to accomplish your dreams. Any time you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about yourself, stop and say something so fantastic about yourself that you may blush."

Toned Up premieres on January 2nd at 10:30/9:30c PM.