Regular exercise is associated with a whole host of psychological, physical, and emotional benefits, and can have a tremendous impact on one’s overall wellbeing. Many times, however, we can struggle with incorporating enough exercise into our lives. Here are some practical tips.
Make sure and find a workout routine that you enjoy so you can keep doing it. If you don’t enjoy your exercise, chances are you are going to find reasons to stop doing it. Try out different exercises and different times to see what works for you. It may be that zoning out on the elliptical does the trick or taking a morning swim keeps you motivated. Jogging around the track before dinner could be your ticket to weight loss. Find what keeps you going back for more and you’ll be well on your way to losing weight.
One way to get the most out of your fitness routine is to be sure to feed your muscles carbohydrates and protein shortly after working out. This will ensure that your muscles are replenished and also that they are not sore for the next day. A good idea would be to keep an orange with you in your workout bag, and possibly a can of tuna fish once you are out of a public area.
Don’t lift weights for longer than one hour. Also, your muscles can begin to deteriorate within an hour. Watch the time and stop lifting weights before you hit the 60 minute mark.
To have a healthy body it is important to have a good amount of sleep. The body needs to sleep to rejuvenate, this should not be taken for granted. Sleeping for eight hours maintains the body’s healthy immune system, helps the individual manage stress better. So be sure to get a good amount of sleep daily.
To help you include exercise into a tight schedule, you should walk whenever possible. That could mean taking the stairs instead of the elevator at the office or parking at the back of a large lot to give you a brisk brief walk to the store. When it comes to working out, every little bit counts.
Speaking generally, you’ll want to pace your breathing so that you’re exhaling after each weight-lifting rep you do. That helps your body to take in more air after exhaling, and ultimately you can use more energy.
Stretches should be performed before you begin your exercise and afterwards to cool the muscle from intense performance. When stretching, it is best to hold a position for 15 to 30 seconds and try not to bounce during the hold. Bouncing will force the muscle to hit a tendon or body part unnecessarily and may cause injury.
Run at least four times per week. A consistent running routine increases endurance because your muscles train themselves to perform repetitive motions more efficiently. Running every other day is adequate to build this muscle memory. A run can be of any length, and beginners should start with runs no longer than 10-15 minutes.
To ride your bike more efficiently practice with one leg. Riding one-legged forces you to concentrate on good pedaling. Put both legs on the pedals, but let one go limp. At the bottom of the stroke pull up. This will better distribute the work load to your major leg muscles.
People who exercise on a regular basis often notice a dramatic improvement in their mood, energy level, and stamina. The health benefits of regular exercise are well documented. We hope this article has been of use to you as you seek to make physical fitness a priority in your life!
