Everywhere you look, you can find tips to stay happy and healthy but while many of these tips are useful, they can also ignore some key issues. One major problem that people face is not being consistent enough. They go to the gym once every few days or run around the neighborhood on the occasional Sunday morning, but this usually isn’t enough to make fitness part of your lifestyle.
If you want to be more consistent and integrate health and fitness as much as possible, here are some tips to help you take a different, more manageable approach.
Take It Easy At First
It’s tempting to rush into a new workout routine, especially if you consider yourself reasonably fit and able. However, depending on how old you are, you may not possess the same conditioning or strength you did in your youth, which is why it’s so important to ease into fitness initially.
Not only will this prevent injuries, but it also means you can learn more about your body and adapt where necessary. If you go for a short run but feel like you could push it an extra kilometer, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try, just don’t leap out of the gate too quickly.
Find Activities You Love
You’ll get more out of your fitness lifestyle if you partake in activities you genuinely enjoy. While going to the gym is a popular approach for first-timers, many don’t enjoy pumping iron. Instead, consider things you used to enjoy doing, such as a specific sport or solo activity.
If you enjoy cycling, consider buying or upgrading your bike. An electric bike is also a good solution as it possesses multiple benefits. You can take the manual approach but still rely on the battery when getting up steep hills. You’ll also need an electric bike charger so it’s ready to go whenever you are.
Find the Time
One issue everyone encounters when integrating fitness is to find the time, but if you’re serious about this new approach you don’t have a choice.
Getting up early can be a drag, but it’s a great way to start the day off right and you only need half an hour of exercise to make a difference. If this doesn’t work, your lunch break or after work can also work. You may also want to get most of your exercise done on weekends, too, even if that means sacrificing those nights at the bar that always go a little too long.
Be As Active As Possible
The more active you are day to day, the easier it will be to normalize health and fitness in your life. The best way to achieve this is by being on your feet as much as possible.
Some people choose to walk to work instead of taking the bus or car, but this only works if it’s within walking distance. The same goes for grocery shopping. You don’t need to drive five minutes to get to the store, so unless you’re doing a big shop, walking will do you a world of good.
Invest In Fitness Tech
Fitness trackers like a Garmin or Apple watch are fantastic ways to motivate you during your new fitness journey. Use the information to see how many steps you’ve done and compare your results from your latest workout. While all this information can be overwhelming at first, it is a great way to stay motivated and push yourself to the next level.
Buy Workout Clothes
No one wants to be that guy at the gym wearing a heavy cotton shirt or unsuitable sneakers because you haven’t bothered to invest in proper workout clothes. These items are more than just a way to look the part. They can improve your exercise experience. Running shoes offer better protection and support, while athletic gear prevents overheating to ensure you can push yourself through the workout without getting uncomfortable or even putting yourself in danger.
Join A Fitness Group
Solo exercise works for some people but it isn’t for everyone. Some people need others to kick them into gear and push them to be their best selves. If you feel like running around the neighborhood on your own is boring, learning how to find a running group in your area can introduce you to a supportive and friendly collection of people.
The same goes for going to the gym. Working out with a buddy means you can hold each other accountable. Furthermore, team sports pushes you to commit because you don’t want to let everyone else down.
Track Your Progress
Many people start their fitness journey and abandon it because they don’t think they are seeing the results they want. The truth is that it takes longer for you to notice a difference than other people but you can use your fitness apps to track progress. If you feel you aren’t making progress, look at where you were when you first started. You can also use a workout diary to write about your experience and compare your feelings to see how far you’ve come.
Refocus Your Diet
A good diet will make it much easier to integrate fitness into your lifestyle. If you eat better, you won’t feel so bloated so often and you’ll have enough energy to go to the gym even if you don’t feel like it. As you replace salty or fatty snacks with fruit and vegetables, you’ll also be able to lose weight more easily.
Pay Attention to Your Body
There is such a thing as too much exercise, which is why listening to your body is so important. You don’t want to push yourself too hard too often as this can result in an injury. However, it can sometimes feel like you’re making excuses, so if you feel like you can’t run as far as you usually do, you can still try low-impact activities so you can get some activity in.
Lifestyle Choices
Changing your lifestyle to focus more on health and well-being is a great way to boost your conditioning, feel better, and increase your energy levels. A healthy lifestyle can open up plenty of doors for you, and these tips will make it easier to identify the best route for you to explore so you can make the most of it.
