As the New Year gets under way, one of your goals may be to get in better shape. But like so many other resolutions, it’s easy to quit before you’ve even started. To help you stay committed and focused on your health and fitness are five tips that will keep you on target.
Set Small Goals
There are a number of components to maintaining your fitness goals. Eating nutritious foods and exercising are two important steps to a healthier body. But if you want to stay with a plan far into the future, you need to begin by setting small goals for yourself. Dreams of running a marathon can be achieved, but you want to begin with simple tasks such as walking and biking. As your fitness level increases, you can add in other activities such as running. Most experts also believe that you should shoot for 30 minutes of exercise each day. If this is too much at the beginning stages, opt for 10 minutes and increase your time gradually.
Find Natural Ways to Treat Pain
It’s common to experience joint stiffness and sore muscles after a workout. You may even rely on pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for relief. While the over-the-counter medications may ease the discomfort short-term, the pain could return the next day. A Denver chiropractor offers natural solutions to helping you reach your health and pain relief goals. By accurately diagnosing the source of your pain and implementing a treatment plan, you can get back on track with minor disruptions.
Don’t Be Afraid to Lift Weights
Some women believe that the only way to improve their physical appearance is through cardio workouts. But if you’re looking to tone your muscles, you’ll want to include weight lifting exercises into your exercise routine. Small weights between 5 and 10 pounds are enough to help sculpt your triceps, biceps, shoulders, glutes and legs. You can also add resistance using bands and a weighted medicine ball. If you’re unsure where to start, enlist the help of a trainer. You could also attend a strength training class at the gym where you can learn the proper form.
Eliminate Boredom
The word “exercise” is taboo for some who perceive it as an unpleasant task. But it doesn’t have to be. To eliminate boredom and stay on track, you want to mix up your workouts. Remember, any type of movement is good for the body and soul. Whether it’s a hike along a nature trail, bike ride through the woods or walking the dog, work fitness into your leisure time and social setting. As you incorporate more activities into your lifestyle, you may even want to ramp up your workouts by signing up for a race or group fitness activity.
Take a Break
One of the primary reasons people fail at achieving their fitness goals is that they’re too strict. Although you want to adopt a healthier lifestyle, you should change your habits in moderation. Working out seven days a week will only cause burn out. With such high workout goals, you may also come to loathe exercising. That’s why it’s important to find the ideal balance. If you’re just starting out, aim for three days a week. If you’re a seasoned exercise enthusiast, five to six days is enough. Take one or two days off to give your body time to recuperate.
If you’re looking to kick start your exercise regime, there’s no better time than the present. While most of the people who set resolutions may give in quickly to their failures, the above tips will help ensure that you go the distance in achieving your fitness goals.
