Without doubt, keeping your body in good shape is important, especially as you get older. In fact, medical professionals will readily tell you that older people in particular should take more, rather than less, exercise. Younger people also need to make sure that they’re making the most of their youthful physique by taking all available opportunities in their daily lives.
Whatever your age, feeling fit is good for your peace of mind and also for your self-esteem, as you will stay trim and stand a better chance of avoiding becoming a couch potato. If you want to feel truly fabulous, you should also pay attention to what you eat. Eating intuitively is the way to go.
If you’re not the sort of person who goes to the gym, don’t worry. It’s possible to get and stay fit in a variety of ways, so try these fitness hacks to make sure that you’re working out, even when you don’t mean to work out.
Walk everywhere
Always opt to take the stairs instead of an elevator where feasible. Walking is just about the best all-round exercise that you can do, and there are no gym fees to pay, so you’re being kind to your wallet. The great thing about walking for pleasure is that you can do it with other people. In fact, if you have an exercise partner for any type of fitness regime, you’re likely to be more motivated than if you’re on your own. In the same way, sharing your targets and achievements via social media can be a great boost for you and all your friends who have similar goals.
Invest in the right clothing
If you’re going to walk as part of your fitness routine, be sure that your clothing and footwear are the best quality that you can afford. This will make an amazing difference to your performance and, thus, your continuing motivation. Sturdy walking shoes or boots are a must, or if you love to lift weights to improve your strength, look out for a good-quality shoulder compression shirt when you go shopping. It will also help your general posture if worn when you’re not exercising.
Use what’s around you
You don’t need to purchase expensive gym equipment to work out when it suits you; instead, make good use of your local park and try out the benches for relevant fitness routines. Large, open spaces are useful for circuit training, and if the weather is putting you off, you can always run up and down the stairs in your apartment building.
Housework workouts
Your housework probably includes cleaning bathrooms, your living room, and clearing up general clutter, so why not make the most of the opportunity to practice one of the best exercises for your legs and pause once in a while to do lunges? Just a few every day will help to strengthen your legs and improve your balance in no time.
Video workouts
Fitness routines available on DVD are a bit of a mixed bag as doing exactly the same thing every day can become boring and uninspired. Try swapping with friends so that you change your fitness regime every so often and take advantage of the benefits of different ways of working out.
Pet perfection
Okay, so your cat is never going to be your pathway to staying fit; however, your dog is a different matter altogether. Forget that leisurely stroll in the park and become your dog, running around, racing against the clock, and generally giving yourself the same workout as your best friend.
Calorie control
If you’re a casual gym-goer rather than a fitness fanatic, you’ll know that a calorie-controlled diet can help you to lose excess body fat. Providing that you are eating intuitively and not overeating in any specific category, carefully limiting your calorie intake as part of your fitness plan will help you lose weight, a little at a time. This is the best option – crash diets may speed things up, but once you resume “normal” eating patterns, the weight will pile back on again. Try making delicious, nutritious meals at home rather than needlessly spending money on sugary or fat-filled “treats.”
As you can see, there are lots of ways to stay fit without the need for expensive gym membership or sessions with a personal trainer. If you simply use your imagination and make the most of the opportunities available to you every day, you’ll be able to hack your workout in no time.
