5 Simple Tips for Getting in Shape

Getting in shape shouldn’t be a chore. In fact, there are many easy ways to incorporate exercise into your everyday activities or focus on things you already love to do.

1. Make Time for Exercise

If you’re busy, don’t let it stop you. Try and fit more activity into the things you already do every day – whether at home or at work:

• Choose the stairs. You’ll get a workout and avoid the awkward elevator rides. For a more strenuous workout, go up and down the stairs for 15 minutes.
• Park farther away. Running errands, at work or dropping off kids, park as far away as you can to add a few more steps into your day.
• Take walking breaks. Leave your desk occasionally to take a break to walk outside when the weather’s nice or stay inside and explore different areas of the building. This will give you a little stress break and let your eyes rest after staring at a computer screen. Also, it will add in a few more steps and you’ll feel more rejuvenated when you get back to your desk.

2. Do What You Love

Maybe you enjoy rollerblading, perfecting your garden or snow skiing with your kids. When you enjoy exercise, you’re more likely to keep it up. You might want to try:

• Walking with friends
• Trying a new yoga class
• Picking up snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
• Joining a local recreation basketball or racquetball league
• Going swimming at a nearby pool
• Shooting hoops
• Participating in a dance class
• Biking around a local park with your kids

3. Set Small, Realistic and Specific Goals

If you decide to pick up jogging, start with running for 30 seconds and walking for two and a half minutes. The next week, run for 45 seconds and walk for one minute. Before you know it, you will be running for two-three minutes before you need to take a short walking break.

And if you have some setbacks, that’s OK. In the end, you’ll see success if you stay consistent.

4. Plan for the Long Haul

Doctors recommend exercising for 30 minutes at least five times a week at a moderate level of activity (like gardening or walking). If that sounds overwhelming, build on small goals month-by-month.

What else is going to help you reach your goals? Stay patient and positive until you get there – and you will get there.

5. Recruit Help from Friends

Life changes are much easier to manage with a group of close friends and family supporting you. If you know someone who’s already active, ask them for tips or be brave and join them! In the end, it doesn’t really matter how you exercise, what‘s most important is finding a way to exercise doing what you love and making it a part of your daily routine.

Share this post with your new workout partner! 

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