Kickstart Your Fitness Journey: 10 Science-Backed Tips to Get You Moving
As we embark on a new year, millions of people around the world are making resolutions to improve their health and wellbeing. With a 4,000-year-old tradition behind us, it’s no wonder that exercising more is a popular goal. To help you achieve your fitness aspirations, we’ve compiled 10 evidence-based action steps to get you started.
Make Exercise a Habit
Regular exercise offers a multitude of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving self-confidence and cognitive function. The good news is that incorporating physical activity into your daily routine is easier than you think.
1. Exercise Anywhere, Anytime
Say goodbye to excuses! With the rise of at-home workouts, you can exercise whenever and wherever you want. No gym membership? No problem!
2. Mix It Up
Avoid the workout rut by trying new exercises, working with a personal trainer, or creating a fresh playlist. Novelty is key to staying motivated.
3. Find Your Inner Drive
Remind yourself of the incredible benefits of exercising, seek inspiration, or become an “intrinsic motivator” – someone driven by internal motivation rather than external factors.
4. Rise and Shine
Exercising in the morning has been linked to effective fat loss and sets a positive tone for the day. Plus, it ensures you get your workout done before life gets in the way.
5. Deskercise Your Way to Fitness
Turn sedentary time into active time by incorporating desk exercises into your daily routine. Every bit counts!
6. Make Workouts Fly By
Exercise with a friend, listen to upbeat music, or try group fitness classes to make workouts more enjoyable. Time flies when you’re having fun!
7. Quick and Effective
Interval workouts like tabatas and HIIT can be done in as little as four minutes and offer a range of benefits, including improved cardio endurance and fat burning.
8. Sneak It In
Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) includes everyday activities like running errands, cleaning, and chopping veggies. Increase your NEAT levels on days you can’t make it to the gym.
9. Plan Your Success
Having a results-oriented game plan is crucial to achieving your fitness goals. Set reminders, create a checklist, or visualize yourself achieving success to stay motivated.
10. Track Your Progress
Log your workouts to monitor your progress, avoid plateaus, and celebrate your achievements. Online tracking tools make it easy to stay on top of your fitness journey.
Which of these tips will you use to stick with exercising in 2014? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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