5 Tips To Help You Be More Active
Have you ever heard someone say “I need to start doing more exercise” or “I want to get fit again”. This can be a common complaint for a lot of people in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s who lead busy lives with work, children and everyday chores.
It can be very easy to finish a day’s work, go home, eat dinner, chat with the family, put the feet up and then sit in front of the TV for the evening. Doing some exercise then becomes a real chore and it’s very easy to say “I’ll leave it for today and do it tomorrow instead”.
So, is there anything that can be done to help ensure that activity and exercise gets done and doesn’t get pushed aside in favor of watching TV or leaving it for another day?
There sure is and in this blog I will go through 5 simple tips to help you be more active.
1 – Exercise In The Morning
I’m a big fan of getting in some exercise in the morning for a couple of reasons. Firstly, there are less distractions to get in the way. If it is the first thing that you have to do that day then there is a much better chance that you will do it. You don’t have to go crazy. Just set the alarm 40 minutes earlier so you have time to go for a walk, a run or some of exercise before your normal daily activities begin. You’ll be surprised how much energy you will have afterwards for the rest of the day.
2 – Pick Something That You Enjoy Doing
A lot of people take up a certain type of activity because they think it is very good for them, but if they don’t enjoy it, then they will probably stop doing it. Take swimming for example. It’s a very good activity for certain people because there is no impact and it is easy on the body but if you can’t swim, or if the swimming pool is a 30 minute drive from your house, then there is a reduced chance of you consistently doing it and keeping it up over a long period of time.
3 – Exercise With Other People
There is a lot to be said for combining your exercise with meeting other people and socializing. Find a friend that enjoys going for a walk, a run or to the gym and arrange to meet them a few times a week to go together. If you can’t find someone then look for a running group or join an exercise class. It is great for motivating you and keeping you going, especially when the evenings are dark, the wind is howling and you may not be feeling too enthusiastic about leaving the house.
4 – Schedule Your Activity Into Your Week
It is very easy to say, “I’m too busy, I don’t have time to exercise”. However, no matter how busy you are most people can find time somewhere in the day. It might just need a little bit of planning and scheduling with your husband or wife or whoever else is dear to you and involved in your life. Just pick at least 2 – 3 times in a week where it is your time to exercise or do something active. If the family can come with you then bring them along too.
5 – Give Yourself A target And A Plan
Why do think there are so many 5k and 10k races around the country in the last few years? People don’t enter them to win, they enter them because it forces them to train. If you give yourself a target, it could be to walk 10 laps of a park in 30 minutes by the end of the month, or swim 2 laps of the pool without stopping, it will force you to actually go and train for it and plan how and when you are going to do so.
Off You Go…….
So hopefully those 5 tips will help you to get out and get active if you are looking for some inspiration in doing so. The key thing is to remember is that you should enjoy it and feel better afterwards.
If you are struggling with a pain or an ache that is preventing you from being as active as you want to be then reach out for some help.
Call the clinic on 09064 66761 or click the button below to arrange a call back from us at a time that suits you.
