Fitness basics
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Fitness: Take it 1 step at a time
When it comes to fitness, give yourself something to work toward. Start with simple goals and then progress to longer range goals. Remember to make your goals realistic and achievable. It's easy to get frustrated and give up if your goals are too ambitious. If you haven't exercised in a while, a short-term goal might be to walk 10 minutes five days a week. An intermediate goal might be to walk 30 minutes five times a week. A long-term goal might be to complete a 5K walk.
Fitness: Tips for staying motivated
Fitness is for life. Motivate yourself with these practical tips.
Getting in shape after having a baby
A baby can be a great motivator to finally set healthy habits that stick — beginning with exercise. Mayo Clinic experts weigh in.
Going up? Take the stairs
Work a little extra activity into your day by skipping the elevator when you can. Start by taking the stairs anytime you go up or down one floor. Then work your way up to three or four floors or more. Better yet, make climbing stairs a workout in itself.
Heart rate: What's normal?
A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. A heart rate above or below that may signal a problem.
Heat and exercise: Keeping cool in hot weather
Use these tips to avoid problems when exercising outdoors in hot weather.
How fit are you? See how you measure up
Determine your fitness level with this simple fitness assessment.
Is exercise a chore? No more!
You're more likely to stick with an exercise program if you're having fun. If you're not enjoying your workouts, try something different. Join a volleyball or softball league. Take a ballroom dancing class. Trade your running shoes for a swimsuit. Remember, exercise doesn't have to be drudgery.
Mayo Clinic Minute: How to hit your target heart rate
Learn how to exercise at your target heart rate.
Miss a workout? Don't give up!
If you're too busy to work out or simply don't feel up to exercise, take a day or two off. Be gentle with yourself if you need a break. After all, it's OK to be flexible. The important thing is to get back on track as soon as you can.
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