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How to start a fun and easy fitness routine
You’ve heard it before – In order to stay healthy, you must maintain some sort of daily activity. Whether that be in the gym solo, a group class, or dancing your heart out when no one is watching. If it were easy, everybody would be doing it. It’s time to begin a fun and easy fitness routine that works for you! know the gym is not for everyone, the good news is – there are SO many other options. You can move the way you want to. What do you enjoy doing? If you don’t know, test out these activities and explore what you love:
- Swimming
- Pickle Ball
- Walking/Hiking
- Yoga
- Volleyball
- Dance
- HIIT
If you are that gym person, you can simply sign up for a gym membership, or buy your own equipment and set it up in a spare room at home, if that’s more comfortable for you.
You can find exercise equipment on Amazon such as: Elliptical Exercise Machine for Home, which is on sale!
Start moving for free
You don’t even have to buy a gym membership or home equipment, there are several FREE Youtube videos or Apps you can download to follow at home, equipment not required. I have downloaded the Peloton App where there are TONS of free videos, including outdoor runs/walks, yoga, HIIT, even meditation.
With all of the options in the world, why do we still come up with excuses not to do it?
We all naturally want to take the path of least resistance, and that is sitting at home on the coach watching some type of streaming service or scrolling on our phones.
It is harder to take the first step than it is the second, third, etc. Once you do, you can’t beat the feeling of leaving the gym (or finishing any activity listed above). That feeling of accomplishment. You feel stronger, are more energized, confident AND more motivated to tackle the rest of the day.
Putting in the effort
You have to be willing to put in the work. First, take inventory of how you spend your time (without judgement). Notice how you are spending your time. What do your mornings, afternoons, evenings look like? When do you wake up to start your day? How much screen time is on your phone? I just checked my phone’s daily average screen time, it’s nearly 4.5 hours – YIKES! Reducing this number and replacing it with something productive is definitely one of my new years resolutions.
You will quickly realize how much down time you actually have.
Once you take inventory and write down your daily activities, ask yourself if they are a priority for you. If not, swap it out with an hour of movement. Wake up earlier or rearrange your day to get all of the things that you want done, including any family / friend / alone time. If you like to wind down by watching TV, set a timer for how long you want to dedicate that time. This way you are in control.
Once you discover what time works best for you, make it easy on yourself by putting in some of the effort ahead of time:
1. Set your workout clothes out the night before, or get your bag ready if you plan to exercise during lunch.
2. If using an App or work out videos, decide which one you want to follow along to the night before.
3. Visualize your day with this added activity & potentially identify any other roadblocks that you can problem solve ahead of time.
By making these decisions and taking actions ahead of time, it makes it easier when it’s time to actually do it. Repeat these steps day after day and watch the momentum build. Soon you will be living in the habit of making the best health and wellness decisions and moving closer to your ideal life!
