You don’t need to be a fitness guru to incorporate exercise into your life. In fact, there are plenty of exercises and guides to fitness for beginners. If you’re just starting out or recovering from a recent injury, going slow and easing into a workout routine is important. You want to practice safety first and listen to your body. Don’t be discouraged! Things will get easier and you’ll get stronger with each passing day. Here are 5 easy ways to incorporate fitness into your life and start feeling the many benefits.
1. Take a Walk
One of the easiest ways to incorporate fitness into your daily routine is by taking a walk! And that doesn’t just mean a planned walk. Try parking your vehicle farther away the next time you go shopping or at work. Walking through the parking lot will give you extra steps and help get your heart rate up (even if it’s just for a short time). Skip the elevator and take the stairs.
You can actually burn quite a few calories this way, especially if your destination is on an upper floor. Trade your car keys for walking shoes or even a bicycle. Try walking to the nearby store, post office, or restaurant. Take a leisurely walk after dinner to burn off those calories. When possible, utilize your lunch break at work for a nice brisk walk with coworkers. Most people are more successful when they exercise with a partner or group, which leads to the next point on this list.
2. Find a Buddy
One of the hardest things about adopting an exercise routine is starting. And once you start, it can be tough to keep the motivation going. That’s why you should never do it alone. Find an exercise buddy or a group of friends to help push and encourage you when times get tough. Your workout partner can give you a morning wake up call, send you motivational quotes or messages throughout the day, and hold you accountable. The best part is, you can return the favor and act as a mentor and coach for each other. If you’re struggling to find a fitness buddy, try investing in a fitness tracker. This is the perfect way to track your steps, calories burned, and activity. Most trackers even send you friendly reminders when you’ve been inactive for too long.
3. Join a Gym
Some people can’t exercise in their homes or by simply taking a walk. If you need external forces to motivate you, trying joining a gym. Gyms are a great place to meet new people who share your same goals. They also offer a variety of equipment to work all parts of your body, helping you incorporate cardio and strength training exercises into your routine. Most gyms also offer classes from yoga and pilates to Zumba, step, or spin. You’re bound to find something you like and fits your fitness level and needs.
4. Stretch it out
Most people don’t give stretching enough credit! Not only is it important for preventing injury and improving mobility and flexibility, but it’s also good for your overall health and wellbeing. After all, yoga is completely designed around stretching. But you don’t need to join a yoga studio or even own a yoga mat to experience the benefits of stretching. You can easily perform basic stretches at your desk at work or at home. Start out your morning with a good, slow stretch. Be sure to get up and stretch periodically at work to avoid slouching or hunching over your desk. Standing too long can put pressure on your lower back as well. Be mindful of how you’re feeling and take breaks when needed.
Don’t be scared away by the terms “exercise” or “fitness”. You don’t need to be in excellent shape or an all star athlete to become more active and incorporate exercise into your life. Look for opportunities to be more active like walking to the store verses driving or taking the stairs over the elevator. Find a friend who motivates you or sign up for that yoga class you’ve been dying to try. Whatever you do, just start moving and don’t stop!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
