Can you remember a time when you were in good shape? Or maybe you’re someone who has never quite had that experience but you would like to. Whatever category you may be in, getting in shape and maintaining a high level of fitness helps you to look and feel better. It is also crucial for health and wellness, especially as you age into your later years.
If you are someone who is not used to exercise, or you feel so far removed from being fit, knowing exactly how to get started can seem intimidating. In this guide, we’ll attempt to make the path to fitness simple and inviting.
Benefits of Getting in Shape
Improving your level of fitness offers a huge number of health and wellness benefits, including:
- Prevention and reversal of chronic disease - maintaining a consistent level of physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of, and in some cases prevent, serious illnesses like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and more.
- Enhanced cognitive function - regular exercise stimulates the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain, resulting in improved concentration, focus, and memory.
- Improved stress management - Physical activity aids in the release of feel-good hormones enabling you to better handle the stressors of the day.. Exercise also burns off those built-up stress hormones, allowing you to relax more easily.
- Increased quality sleep - Research has proven that regular exercise also helps improve the quality of your sleep, which has numerous benefits for your health and well-being.
Tips for Getting in Shape
When it comes to getting in shape, there is no “one size fits all.” But with a few practical tips, you can be on the path to a complete transformation.
1. Clarify Your Motivation
One of the most important components of any goal is in clarifying your motivation – your reason for wanting to accomplish the goal. With this in mind determine why you want to get in shape. Several motivational experts believe that you should know your “why” to accomplish your task.
Knowing why you are doing something will keep you moving forward when you are struggling with challenges like exhaustion, or doubt, or are just having a lazy day. Your motivation is personal. It may be trying to get in shape for summer vacation, reducing or reversing a disease or condition, gaining more energy to keep up with your kids, or participating in some sporting event like a 5K race. Having this in mind will keep you going when things get tough.
Some experts believe that it is a good idea to keep a visual reminder of your goal in a place where it can be viewed every day as a constant source of motivation.
2. Discover Your Activity
If the thought of signing up for a gym membership and spending countless hours doing grueling workouts on various machines depresses you, don’t worry. There are many other options if gym workouts are not your style. To make your desired lifestyle change sustainable you should find an activity that you will enjoy doing. This will help your workout routines feel more like fun.
The discovery process of knowing what you enjoy may take a little while if you’ve been inactive for a long time. Be patient with yourself, and try different activities until you hone in on the one that feels right for you. Pickleball, tennis, cycling, hiking, swimming, and many more activities await your selection as a fun way to get fit.
3. Track Your Progress
Schedule the number of days you plan to train. Several apps will help you to log in your workouts. Record how far you run and how long, or how many laps you swim, how you feel after 30 minutes of tennis, or whatever activity you choose. If you stick with it, in time you will begin to feel stronger and notice your endurance increasing. Seeing these improvements will boost your motivation.
Conclusion
Getting in shape should be approached as a long-term lifestyle change, rather than a short-term aesthetic goal.
This means that you’re far more likely to stay on track and see the real benefits. By setting a personal motivation target, finding a workout regime that works for you, and tracking your progress, you’ll soon discover that you have more energy, better sleep, and more vitality in your daily life.
Getting in shape and becoming more physically fit is a life-transforming experience that you will not regret.
Photo by: Ryan McGuire