If you find yourself out of shape, needing to lose weight or feeling generally unhealthy, it’s time to jumpstart your life and get fit. Fitness doesn’t mean losing 30 pounds in a month or transforming your body overnight, but rather a long term plan for a healthier you. Here are some great tips for beginners who are starting a fitness routine for the first time.
Make Small Changes
Don’t think that if you can’t run 5 miles a day, then you shouldn’t take a walk around the block. If you are considerably overweight or haven’t worked out for a long time, start out slow by incorporating extra movement and better eating habits into your daily routine.
- Take the stairs at work instead of the elevator.
- Walk your kids to school instead of driving.
- Snack on fresh fruits and vegetables instead of chips and candy.
- Drink diet soda or water instead of regular soda or beer.
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Get Moving Cardiovascular exercise will help you burn calories, lose weight and live a longer, healthier life. You don’t have to join a gym or buy expensive exercise equipment to get started. You can take a walk around the block, go swimming at a community pool or jump rope at home. Just start getting more movement into your life and you’ll be on the road to fitness.
Buddy Up
Many people quit their fitness plans because they are unmotivated and lack a support system. The best way to stay motivated is to have a buddy who is getting fit too. It’s hard to diet if the rest of your family is eating fast food. If you are married or in a relationship, ask your spouse to get fit with you. Grocery shop together for healthy fresh foods and design an exercise plan that will help you get fit together. If you decide to join a gym, many facilities offer discount rates for couples or families that join together.
Reward Yourself
Set short term, intermediate and long term fitness goals. Everyone finds it easy to set long term goals, but you need to set shorter term goals to help you get there. A short term goal might be to exercise 30 minutes each day this week. An intermediate goal may be to get to a target weight by the end of the month. Or maybe you want to fit into a new slinky dress by Christmas. Each time you meet one of your goals, reward yourself with a little treat like a new pair of shoes, a trip to the spa or another indulgence.
Be Happy
Fitness is about being both physically and mentally healthy. Try to eliminate the stresses in your life and concentrate on being happy. Take time out each week to do something you really enjoy, whether it’s attend a baseball game or curl up by the fire and read a good book. It’s very important to have “me” time and truly be happy as journey on the road to fitness.
Buddy Up
Many people quit their fitness plans because they are unmotivated and lack a support system. The best way to stay motivated is to have a buddy who is getting fit too. It’s hard to diet if the rest of your family is eating fast food. If you are married or in a relationship, ask your spouse to get fit with you. Grocery shop together for healthy fresh foods and design an exercise plan that will help you get fit together. If you decide to join a gym, many facilities offer discount rates for couples or families that join together.
Reward Yourself
Set short term, intermediate and long term fitness goals. Everyone finds it easy to set long term goals, but you need to set shorter term goals to help you get there. A short term goal might be to exercise 30 minutes each day this week. An intermediate goal may be to get to a target weight by the end of the month. Or maybe you want to fit into a new slinky dress by Christmas. Each time you meet one of your goals, reward yourself with a little treat like a new pair of shoes, a trip to the spa or another indulgence.
Be Happy
Fitness is about being both physically and mentally healthy. Try to eliminate the stresses in your life and concentrate on being happy. Take time out each week to do something you really enjoy, whether it’s attend a baseball game or curl up by the fire and read a good book. It’s very important to have “me” time and truly be happy as journey on the road to fitness.