Physical fitness is one of the most important aspects of your life, but it’s all too easy to let it slip to the bottom of your list of priorities. Here are 10 things you can do to stay fit and in shape so that you don’t have to struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you get home from work each day.
1) Join a Fitness Class
Join a physical fitness class. Fitness classes have several advantages over working out alone or at home: You can see people working out who are just like you, not celebrities with superhuman bodies. The instructor teaches you how to work out safely and do it right. Other participants motivate you, while an environment of competition inspires everyone to achieve their best performance. If you need extra motivation during your workout, try signing up for a personal trainer. They’ll push you hard enough to get results but also encourage you when things get tough. Just make sure that any physical activity is safe before doing it. Exercise releases endorphins in your brain that help control depression; therefore, if you’re feeling down, exercise can be a great way to improve your mood.
2) Get an Accountability Partner
At Gear Up To Fit, we believe that your mental and physical health is directly tied to how active you are. How can you be motivated if you’re not getting a support system behind you? An accountability partner helps keep us motivated when we don’t feel like working out or eating well. If no one comes to mind, talk with your doctor about how they stay fit as they may have some great advice for you! Remember: Accountability partners aren’t only beneficial when it comes to physical fitness; having someone outside of yourself helping keep track of important tasks (medical appointments, bills) will be just as helpful!
3) Hit the Gym
Many physical fitness programs start with two or three days of working out at a gym. Your instructors will teach you proper form and provide guidance on what types of weight training, cardio, and stretching routines you should do for your body type. Keep track of how much weight you lift so that you know when it’s time to push yourself harder. And don’t worry if it takes several weeks before you’re able to complete every rep or run a mile without stopping. The important thing is that you stay consistent and motivated throughout each exercise session—and with time, your hard work will pay off!
4) Use the Stair Stepper Machine
The stair stepper machine is a useful addition to any home gym. Not only does it provide an intense workout, but it’s also easy on your joints. This makes it an ideal tool for seniors or anyone with achy knees and ankles. An added bonus is that you can burn up to seven calories per minute while using one of these machines! Go ahead and add one to your home gym today—it’s a great way to stay fit, especially if you’re on a budget.
5) Try Out Tabata Training
If you’re looking for a way to get yourself into serious shape fast, try Tabata training. Named after Japanese inventor Izumi Tabata, who found that such high-intensity workouts boosted his endurance and speed, Tabata training is now used by athletes around the world. A typical Tabata interval consists of 20 seconds of maximum effort followed by 10 seconds of rest.
6) Join a 5K Training Group
Signing up for a 5K training group will give you a little extra motivation (and accountability) when it comes to fitness. Whether you’re looking for one at your gym or through Meetup, signing up for a running or walking group is a great way to get out of bed and stay motivated. The social aspect of joining a 5K group can help you keep in line with your fitness goals on top of that, having someone else pushing you makes working out seem more appealing and keeps you committed.
7) Do Yoga at Home or at the Park
Nowadays, yoga is practiced all over, so you can get your workout in wherever you are. However, if you’re looking for a studio experience with top-of-the-line instructors and beautiful facilities where they don’t mind your fellow yogis practicing beside you, then look no further than local studios that offer these classes. Make sure to look into what other fitness amenities they offer like group fitness classes or weight training equipment.
8) Eat Fewer Calories than You Burn Off in Exercise
Exercise is often touted as an effective weight-loss tool, but if you’re exercising regularly and you aren’t seeing any results, consider how many calories you’re burning off in those workouts. If it’s not enough to outweigh what you eat, it might be time to reassess your nutrition plan. In order for exercise to help with weight loss, though, your body needs more energy than what it burns during activity.
9) Jog Early in the Morning
If you’re looking for a way to stay in shape that doesn’t cost any money and won’t make you sweat, then start getting up early every morning. Taking an early jog is one of best ways to wake your body up and get it into gear for a successful day of fitness. It will also jump-start your metabolism so that when you return home after your run, you can begin burning even more calories throughout your day.
10) Don’t Skip Meals in Order to Lose Weight
Cutting back on calories is a healthy way to lose weight, but it’s important not to skip meals in order to do so. Skipping breakfast will leave you feeling hungry and irritable and may cause you to overeat later in the day. If skipping meals isn’t helping you drop pounds, consider other strategies that don’t involve starvation. Instead of eating three small meals each day, try eating five or six smaller ones. This approach can help keep your metabolism going strong all day long.
