We’ve all heard the buzz about the benefits of physical activity, especially in our digital age where we spend more time sitting than a porcelain doll. But did you know that exercise does more than just give you abs you could grate cheese on, and help you sleep like a baby? It can also boost your mood, productivity, lifespan, and improve your health.
Who knew working out could be the elixir of life?
Starting a workout routine can be tougher than finding a needle in a haystack or teaching a cat to play fetch. But fear not! Despite what some fit-fluencers on social media might tell you, you don’t need to wake up at the crack of dawn or live at the gym to see results.
Here are some simple hacks to help you kickstart your fitness journey and get those endorphins flowing.
Pro-tip: It’s all about taking that first step (or lunge), and the rest will follow.
“I don’t have time.”
There are so many excuses that we tell ourselves to stop the fitness journey before it even has a chance to start. We’re highlighting this one because it’s the most common of all.
Whether you are a healthcare professional with a crazy schedule or a parent trying to carve a little “me time” into your day, changing the way that you think about your fitness journey is a great place to start.
Here are some ways that you could make time for your own health:
Swap screen time for gym time: We’re going to ask you to do something and you might not like it very much. Ready? Check your screen time in your settings. What if you took half, or even a third, of that screen time and used it to go for a walk or try a yoga class?
Get up just a little bit earlier: We all love a good snooze fest, but sometimes hitting snooze for the fifth time can leave us feeling groggy and unproductive. Instead, try ripping off those covers and getting a quick 20-minute sweat session in. It may seem daunting at first, but trust us – the little endorphins dancing around your brain will make it all worthwhile.
And here’s an added bonus: you’ll start your day feeling accomplished before you even finish your morning coffee! Plus, you’ll have a boost of energy to carry you through your morning routine.
Lunch break- sweat break: Have you heard the news? Thirty minutes a day is all you need to add more years to your life! And the best part? You can knock it out during your lunch break.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to become a sweaty mess to get a good workout in. You can try doing a stretch series or an equipment-free workout – it’s the perfect lunchtime option.
Plus, taking a break from your desk and getting your body moving can help boost productivity and focus in the afternoon.
“I don’t know what to do in the gym.”
Starting a workout routine can be intimidating, especially if you’re not familiar with the gym or exercise equipment. But, with so many resources available online, it’s never been easier to learn the basics. We live in the digital age where there are countless free workout videos on YouTube for all fitness levels and interests, from yoga to weightlifting to HIIT.
If you’re new to working out, try starting with some beginner-friendly videos to learn proper form and technique. As you progress, you can move on to more challenging workouts or try out different types of exercise to keep things interesting.
Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back from starting your fitness journey. You don’t even have to leave your living room to get started. With a little bit of time and effort, you can learn how to work out and start seeing the benefits for both your physical and mental health.
Here are some of our favorite YouTube channels to get you started:
Make it a priority and improve your health.
This is the most important part of starting your fitness journey. Time is the excuse that we tell ourselves, and the fact that isn’t a priority is the crutch that we lean on to validate that excuse. “Working out isn’t as important as cleaning the kitchen.” “Working out isn’t as important as my TikTok time.” “I have to go to the grocery store across town, working out can wait.”
We know how hard it can be to prioritize exercise when you have so many other things going on in your life. It’s easy to let it fall by the wayside when work or family or social events start to pile up.
But let us tell you, making your fitness journey a priority is so important. Think of it as an investment in yourself and your future. You deserve to feel strong and healthy, and exercise is one of the best ways to achieve that.
It can be tough to get started, but try to treat your exercise time like an important appointment that you can’t miss. Schedule it into your day just like you would a meeting or a doctor’s appointment. And don’t worry if it feels like a struggle at first – carving out the habit is the most important part.
Once you start seeing the benefits of regular exercise, it will become a no-brainer to make it a part of your daily routine. The point is you have to create the habit so that you crave the benefits.
Give yourself achievable goals.
Want to know a secret? It’s really important to set attainable (emphasis on attainable) goals for yourself in order to make your fitness journey sustainable.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of starting a new workout routine or trying to hit a big, audacious goal. But the truth is, those big, lofty goals can be really overwhelming, and they can actually set you up for failure in the long run.
Instead, think about setting small, achievable goals that you can work towards each day or week. Maybe it’s committing to going for a walk every morning, or doing a short yoga routine before bed. Or maybe it’s trying to increase your daily step count by 500 each week.
Whatever it is, make sure it’s something that feels doable for you. That way, you’ll be able to build up a sense of accomplishment and confidence as you achieve each goal, which will in turn help you stay motivated and committed to your fitness journey over the long term.
Remember, fitness is a journey, not a destination. So take it one step at a time, and be kind to yourself along the way.
Patience, consistency, and…fun!
Remember, the key to success is consistency and patience. Be kind and don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss a day or two. The important thing is to keep going and to keep pushing yourself to reach your goals.
By implementing the tips we’ve shared with you, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, happier you. So, whether you prefer to work out at home or in the gym, make sure you find something that you enjoy and that challenges you. Set achievable goals for yourself and keep yourself accountable by tracking your progress.
Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun! Exercise should be a way to enhance your life, not a punishment. By making fitness a part of your lifestyle, you’ll not only improve your physical health but your mental health as well. So go out there and get moving!
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