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Fitness takes more than huffing and puffing
When it comes to fitness, huffing and puffing your way through such aerobic exercises as running, biking or swimming isn't the only thing that matters. A good, balanced exercise program includes five key components: aerobic fitness, strength training, core exercises, balance training, and flexibility and stretching. If you're not getting all five, it's time to mix up your routine.
Need a gym to get fit?
You don't need a gym membership to get in shape. You can fit physical activity into your daily life by doing things you enjoy outside of the gym. Play pickup basketball, go biking or walk around the park. Lift some hand weights while you watch your favorite TV show. Take the stairs at work or when shopping. Or take an exercise class through your community.
Walking with ankle weights? Stop!
A well-rounded fitness program includes both aerobic exercise and strength training. But skip the ankle weights. Ankle weights may strain your ankle joint and leg muscles, which could increase your risk of injury. To get more out of your walking routine, simply pick up the pace. If you're in good shape, add short bursts of jogging into your regular brisk walks. If you're less fit, alternate leisurely walking with periods of faster walking.
How much exercise do you need?
For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Moderate aerobic exercise includes activities such as brisk walking or swimming. Vigorous aerobic exercise includes activities such as running or aerobic dancing. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. The guidelines also recommend that you do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least twice a week.
Working out? Time your meals right
Think about how much you eat before you work out. If you eat too much, you may feel sluggish. On the flip side, if you don't eat much before you exercise, you may not have the energy to keep feeling strong throughout your workout. To strike the right balance, eat a light snack before exercising. After a big meal, wait a few hours before hitting the gym.
Exercising? Take it up a notch
Want to get the most out of your workouts? Try interval training! This simply means alternating bursts of intense activity with intervals of lighter activity. Take walking. If you're in good shape, try incorporating short bursts of jogging into your regular power walks. If you're less fit, alternate leisurely walking with periods of faster walking. (For example, if you typically walk outdoors, walk faster between certain mailboxes, trees or city blocks.) The more vigorously you exercise the more calories you'll burn, even if you increase intensity for just a few minutes at a time.
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.
Create a home gym without breaking the bank
Want to work out at home? Pick up low-cost products from a local fitness or sporting goods store, such as dumbbells and resistance bands. If you'd rather not spend a penny on exercise equipment, use ordinary household items, such as a staircase for step training. Try pushups and squats. Round up friends or neighbors for regular group walks. Plan routes through your neighborhood.
Need motivation to exercise? Try a diary
Have you started a workout program? Good for you! Record your efforts to track progress toward your goals. After each workout, record these items: 1. The date. 2. Your activity (swimming, lifting weights, volleyball). 3. How long you exercised. 4. How you felt afterward. Having a chronicle of your improvement can be a great source of motivation.
Are you ready for a workout?
Sure, you're busy. It's tough to fit in a daily workout. But being prepared to exercise can make all the difference. Put workout clothes, socks and all, on top of the dresser. Stock the fridge with water bottles. Keep athletic shoes and socks in your car, so you can sneak in some laps during your child's practices or rehearsals or while you're waiting to meet a friend for dinner.
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