Everything You Need to Know About Fitness + Tips on Proper Nutrition

Health

Start Slowly

Don’t try to overstress your body by jumping into a marathon at day one. A sudden jump to vigorous intensity aerobic activity can increase your chances of injury and in some cases even cardiac events. Starting slowly and gradually increasing the intensity, length and frequency of activity is the smartest and safest choice. Start where you are: it may be a 2 or 5 minute walk in your case or already a 1-2 mile walk-jog. Keep challenging yourself, but don’t over-do it.

Get Support

Professional support, such as hiring a trainer or a coach, can be helpful with keeping you motivated, helping you perform safe and effective exercises and getting results quickly. Even if you don’t hire a trainer, it is suggested to get a free introductory session with a trainer at your gym or watch some youtube videos to help you with good form and safe technique.

Online trainers are also a great and affordable option that is becoming more popular! Taking group classes and joining exercise groups can be helpful to keep you motivated and to find supportive friends with similar goals. Online support groups can help you with your goals as well, so can asking for support from family and friends.

Talk To Your Healthcare Professional

If you have chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis, it is important to talk to your doctors to learn about the limits of your condition and to find the type of exercise that is best for your abilities and conditions. Even without any known health conditions, it is a good idea to get a physical before starting an exercise routine and to work with your healthcare professional.

A health coach can help you with your overall lifestyle goals and nutrition, whereas a registered dietician can help you with specific nutritional advice. In case of an injury, make sure to rest and work with a physical therapist to get stronger and recover quickly.

Different Types Of Exercise For Your Specific Needs And Personality

“Exercises are like prose, whereas yoga is the poetry of movements. Once you understand the grammar of yoga; you can write your poetry of movements.” - Amit Ray

You may be one of those people who thinks that exercise is just not for you. You may find it boring, difficult, emotionally taxing or simply have bad memories from high school gym class. You may think that you are too unhealthy or too overweight to exercise.

The truth is that exercise is not only essential for you health and well-being, but it can also be fun for everyone - even for you. Really.

The key is to find the workout that is the most enjoyable for you and fits your needs the best. If you don’t like fitness classes, but enjoy running, go for a run. If you like yoga, but dislike swimming, take yoga classes. If you haven’t exercised for a while (or ever) and have no idea where to start, just start anywhere.

Pick one form of exercise that looks interesting or perhaps your friend suggested and try it out. Perhaps try out different classes at the gym. Stick to one or two types of workouts for at least 3-4 weeks before giving anything up. It may take a little bit of time to get used to it. If you still don’t like it, try something new.

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