Did you find it hard to get out of bed today? Do you feel tired and sluggish? There’s a chance you aren’t getting enough exercise and taking care of your fitness needs. Getting fit gives you more energy and makes you think clearer in addition to all the physical benefits it provides. Here are a few ways to put fitness first so you feel better.
Following a regular fitness routine is a great way to help reduce stress. By channelling any negative energy into exercise, the body releases endorphins into your bloodstream, relieving stress, loosening tense muscles and improving your overall mood. Choose a moderate intensity fitness routine that you enjoy and exercise 3 to 5 times a week, for about 30 minutes per session.
Exercise at home. Choosing to exercise at home you will be more apt to follow-through on your exercise routine. You won’t have to waste time driving to the gym, parking, or wait on the equipment you want to use. Working out at home will also save you money.
Make sure you’re not over doing your workouts. The best kind of workouts are those that push your body to its limit, but be careful not to go past your limit. You don’t want to risk injuring yourself. Instead, start small and work your way up. A runner doesn’t just jump into a 5k after not running for years, so you shouldn’t either.
One of the biggest excuses not to exercise is that you have things to do. So why not buy a treadmill? Using a treadmill will allow you to get things done while you work. You can do school work, watch TV, go over your work assignments, or even just read a book.
Strengthen your back to help end back pain. Every time you do a set of exercises that focus on your abdominal exercises, do a set of exercises that focus on your lower back. Working out only your abdominal muscles can cause poor posture and pain in the lower back.
Never accept pain during a workout. Pain is not a sign that you are doing something right, and you could really hurt yourself if you don’t stop when you’ve done too much. Know the difference between feeling natural tension in your muscles and outright pain. If pain doesn’t stop when you are done with your workout, consider seeing a doctor.
Don’t regard fitness clothing shopping as trying to select something for the catwalk. You need to focus on fit and function when looking for clothes. Make sure they are comfortable and well-fitted pieces that go with everything. Try sticking to the neutrals like black, white, and gray since they accomplish that.
If you have a finger or two that always seems to get jammed during sports or training, try taping them. All you do is tape them to a neighboring finger as a bit of added support. This added strength will be less likely to cause those fingers to bend at strange angles.
Try to avoid burnout during your workout sessions by keeping track of your pulse the next morning. If your pulse appears to be 10 bpm or much more than the normal pulse, it means that your body is still in a state of recovery and that you must take it easy.
You can get a great workout while you do everyday things such as shopping. Add a bit more walking to your trip by parking further away from your location. Try walking for at least 10 minutes a day to see results. When shopping in the mall, try walking the full length of the mall.
Walk to lunch. If you work in an office environment, try walking to lunch at a place at least five minutes away. That way, after you’ve eaten and returned to work, you will have also done a nice 10 minute walk which can be healthy for your state of mind and body as well.
To avoid straining your neck when you are doing crunches or other abdominal exercises, try putting your tongue against the roof of your mouth. This will help you keep your head properly aligned while you exercise, which will reduce the strain on your neck. If your neck starts to hurt, stop right away.
To increase your balance, try standing one-legged on a sofa cushion while passing a medicine ball from one hand to the next. This is harder than it sounds and will increase your coordination, balance and overall body control. For an advanced technique, try closing your eyes during the exercise.
Fitness is about more than big muscles. It’s about getting healthy and setting a healthy example. The more fit you are, the better you feel and the stronger you are. Follow these tips and get fitter and you’ll know these things to be true. A fit body feels better and that’s the truth.