The recipe for getting fit is actually an easy one. Eat well, workout and take good care of your body. If you have spent the last several months or years leading a sedentary lifestyle, however, getting a new diet and exercise plan off the ground can be challenging. Following are a few, simple strategies that will help you get off to a proper start.
Don't throw yourself headlong into a workout routine that is far too advanced for your current level of fitness. Although it's important to continually challenge yourself in order to build up your strength and endurance, pushing yourself too hard can lead to extreme post-workout soreness. It can also increase your risk of injury.
Avoid high-impact activities until you have a good feel for how your body will stand up to them. This is especially important for people who are significantly overweight. These can be very jarring on the joints and bones, particularly if the joints and bones are already bearing excess weight. Start with low-impact and non-impact activities and then gradually move on to more high-energy exercises as your body feels ready.
Always talk to your physician about adding new workouts to your exercise plan before actually engaging in them. He or she can advise you on building a workout plan that is in line with your current fitness needs and your current level of health. Your doctor can also recommend specific exercise types for helping you meet your health and weight loss goals.
Start by working out just two to three days per week and then gradually build your way up to a more robust and active plan. Structured workouts should last between 20 minutes and 45 minutes. They should also include a warm-up and a cool-down segment for preventing physical injuries.
Enlist a few friends to take part in your workout routine with you. This is a great way to keep your motivation levels high and stay on track with your new fitness routine. Working out in the gym provides a social component so that you can make new friends who are like-minded and share similar fitness goals.
Take advantage of the many opportunities that you get to engage in light exercise throughout the day. If you work in an office, find a nice park or trail nearby and take a quick stroll each day during your lunch break. Consider walking to work rather than driving or start commuting on your bike. Remember, exercise does not always have to come as part of a structured class. Anything that you do to put your body in motion will have benefits for your health and your overall fitness levels.
Sign up for a low-impact class that simultaneously builds both strength and flexibility. Activities like yoga training will assist in protecting and rebuilding your bone density while lengthening and strengthening your muscles. Given that this training is considered non-impact, it is a great way to gain greater strength and endurance and to prime your body for the rigors of higher impact and more challenging forms of exercise.
Don't throw yourself headlong into a workout routine that is far too advanced for your current level of fitness. Although it's important to continually challenge yourself in order to build up your strength and endurance, pushing yourself too hard can lead to extreme post-workout soreness. It can also increase your risk of injury.
Avoid high-impact activities until you have a good feel for how your body will stand up to them. This is especially important for people who are significantly overweight. These can be very jarring on the joints and bones, particularly if the joints and bones are already bearing excess weight. Start with low-impact and non-impact activities and then gradually move on to more high-energy exercises as your body feels ready.
Always talk to your physician about adding new workouts to your exercise plan before actually engaging in them. He or she can advise you on building a workout plan that is in line with your current fitness needs and your current level of health. Your doctor can also recommend specific exercise types for helping you meet your health and weight loss goals.
Start by working out just two to three days per week and then gradually build your way up to a more robust and active plan. Structured workouts should last between 20 minutes and 45 minutes. They should also include a warm-up and a cool-down segment for preventing physical injuries.
Enlist a few friends to take part in your workout routine with you. This is a great way to keep your motivation levels high and stay on track with your new fitness routine. Working out in the gym provides a social component so that you can make new friends who are like-minded and share similar fitness goals.
Take advantage of the many opportunities that you get to engage in light exercise throughout the day. If you work in an office, find a nice park or trail nearby and take a quick stroll each day during your lunch break. Consider walking to work rather than driving or start commuting on your bike. Remember, exercise does not always have to come as part of a structured class. Anything that you do to put your body in motion will have benefits for your health and your overall fitness levels.
Sign up for a low-impact class that simultaneously builds both strength and flexibility. Activities like yoga training will assist in protecting and rebuilding your bone density while lengthening and strengthening your muscles. Given that this training is considered non-impact, it is a great way to gain greater strength and endurance and to prime your body for the rigors of higher impact and more challenging forms of exercise.