Simple tips for a more active life
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Are you tired of just lying in bed after work, during quarantine, and reading novels about how to be fit and active? If you want concrete and simple tips for leading a more active life, take a look at our text below and you are ready to transform your life today!
Set realistic goals.
Good results take time. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, but how consistent you are at it. First of all, it is important to set realistic goals. If you haven’t been active for years, you can’t expect your life to transform overnight. Be honest with yourself and only then will you set the right goals.
Start slowly.
Every change is hard, especially if you want to lead an active and healthy life after a long period of laziness. As we have been in quarantine for over a year, an active and healthy life is something that should be our priority now. However, this does not mean that you should run a marathon tomorrow. Start slowly. Think about your diet and the activities you might be doing.
Forget the elevator. Take the stairs.
Being active doesn't just mean exercising every day. That means - activating your body whenever possible. Instead of an elevator, use the stairs at home or work. If you didn't know, let the following information on burning calories (available everywhere on the Internet) show you the true power of stairs:- 4 calories per minute walking downstairs
- 5 calories per minute walking slowly upstairs
- 11 calories per minute climbing stairs at a fast speed
- 11 calories per minute on a stair master
- 19 calories per minute running upstairs
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Invest in activewear.
Another simple but important thing when it comes to active living is active clothing. You simply cannot be active in the same clothes and training that you use for work or going to a club. Although women like to wear heels, these are not comfortable training shoes. Invest in activewear: comfortable footwear, shorts, t-shirts, and others. Also, wearing old, broken-down shoes can negatively impact your joints and ligaments.
Not a fan of running? Never mind, take a walk.
If you are not a fan of running or you are simply not in shape for it, no problem, you can walk. Walking is just as great of physical activity as running. One of the simplest ways to add more activity into your life is just to walk more. Walk to your office, walk a dog, walk around your block – it’s up to you! Besides, you can download an app on your smartphone to count your steps and see progress!
Take advantage of having a pet.
Why not take advantage of having a pet? Pets, especially dogs, love outdoor activities. Walking a dog or playing with pets outside is a great way to get started and be active every day. According to one study, a dog walking at a pace of 3.7 -4 miles an hour (~15-minute miles) will burn 8 calories per pound per mile This means a 20-pound dog will only burn about 64 calories during a one-hour walk!
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Exercise while watching TV.
Who says you can only watch TV in bed? Even though you are used to sitting or lying down while watching a movie, you should change that habit. Instead, do light exercises, skip a sprint, do squats, or run on a treadmill.
Take 30 minutes each day.
This type of exercise is very famous. The point is that you should dedicate 30 minutes each day to exercise. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, three 10-minute sessions are just as good as one longer session. For example, in one day you could do 10 minutes of walking, 10 minutes of exercising and 10 minutes of dancing. This is great for beginners and people who are not fit and want to avoid muscle strain.
Exercise daily.
Of course, the easiest way to stay active is to exercise daily. Running, jogging, exercising, and basically, any kind of physical activity will keep you active and your body healthier. If you are just starting to exercise, start slowly and with short sessions. Do not do 50 squats right away, but start with 10 and increase the number every day. Also, make sure you’re not in severe pain during exercising and avoid complicated workouts to avoid getting injured.
Motivate yourself.
Without will and motivation, it is impossible to achieve a goal, especially when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes we need something more than friendly advice or clips on YouTube. Do something fantastic for yourself and motivate yourself by reading “FIT FOR SUCCESS - LESSONS ON ACHIEVEMENT AND LEADING YOUR BEST LIFE” by Nick Shaw. In this book, the author speaks about the habits successful people have in common and how we can develop those same habits to thrive — despite our obstacles.
Although success cannot be guaranteed, by applying the simple tips described in this book, you will increase the chances of reaching your goals. Get this amazing book and other unique products in a spring subscription box.
Don't compare yourself to people who are fitness professionals.
People tend to compare themselves to other people, but this can be very bad when it comes to physical appearance and exercise. You should never compare yourself to people who are fitness professionals. Keep in mind that these people have spent years exercising and bringing their bodies to perfection. Even if you hire a personal trainer, you will not be able to achieve such results in a month. Comparing with people who lead an active life and exercise every day can only demotivate you and lead you to give up after the first workout.
Stay hydrated.
Drinking more water will give you the energy to be active throughout the day. Because of their fast-paced lifestyle, people often drink more coffee a day than water! Ensure you drink plenty of water, before, during, and after exercise. Drinking water has many benefits, as it helps build muscle tone, reduces stress, makes us energized, helps prevent cramping, and allows us to work out harder and longer.
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Eat healthy food and eat smaller portions.
If you include more physical activity into your life, and continue to eat as before, it’s likely you have not made any change. A big part of being active is eating healthy food that will support your new lifestyle. First of all forget about sugar, soda drinks, and junk food.
From now on, focus on lean proteins, whole grains, veggies, and fruit- such food is great for a fit shape. Instead of eating chocolate, take an apple. Apples are great at making the stomach feel full for up to 3 to 4 hours. Moreover, be sure to portion what you eat. It is better to plan out eating six times a day and setting smaller portions, rather than having three large meals throughout the day.