Despite this week’s mild setback in the weather, spring is basically here and that means it’s time for you to make a commitment. If you’re feeling out of shape there’s no better time than now to try getting into a work-out routine.
It won’t be easy. Forming and maintaining a strict routine requires confidence and discipline, but follow some of these tips and you might just wind up with a routine that works
1. What’s Your Current Fitness Level?
Can you touch your toes? Can you run a mile? Try a few, quick simple exercises first to see exactly how you’re doing at your current level of fitness. Record some of your results, so they may later be used as benchmarks to assess your improvement.
2. Determine Your Goals
What do you want to accomplish by exercising? Are you after weight loss or muscle growth? Your goals should determine what you spend the bulk of your time doing and the parts of your body you need to focus on.
3. Devise a Plan
Don’t rush into this part of the process. Take your time; consider your current level of fitness, how much you want to improve, and the time available in your schedule. Create a plan that caters to these factors, and stick to what works for you. The goal is to improve your health, not anyone else’s.
4. Get Started
Well, you have a plan and an objective. There’s nothing to do now but get started. Start off easy and gradually increase the amount of exercise you’re doing weekly as your stamina increases. Also remember to stretch and if you ever start to feel pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea, take a break. There’s no point in hurting yourself.
5. Assess your Progress
Every month step back for a moment and think about how much you’ve improved. If you can run a mile without feeling short of breath now, maybe consider upping the distance. Or if your original bench press weight is starting to feel too easy, up the poundage.
Don’t feel obligated to push yourself. If you’ve reached your goals and you just want to maintain a healthy fitness level, by all means, keep your exercise routine exactly the way it is. Just don’t stop.
Hopefully, you won’t need our help getting off the couch this year, but if you do, we’ll offer these final words of encouragement: for your health, your family, and your life, feel better, live longer and, realize that you can achieve a greater level of health and wellness.
Best of luck.
Photo Credit: digitalart
