Maintaining an active lifestyle plays an important role in staying healthy. Read on to learn six strategies that can help you lead an active lifestyle.
Leading an active lifestyle is important for staying healthy. Staying active helps reduce the risk of diseases such as cardiac disease, diabetesAnd stroke. Exercise has also been linked to improved mental health and cognitive function.
You don’t have to be a long-distance runner to improve your health. The most important thing is that you stay active. This helps to:
- give your heart a workout
- stay strong
- maintain a healthy weight
The trick to staying active is to find something you enjoy doing. For some, that means having a friend to exercise with. It doesn’t matter whether you go to the gym, take a walk around the neighborhood, dance privately to an aerobics DVD, or go out for a leisurely bike ride, just get moving.
It can be difficult to find your training style. It may help to mix them up from time to time. You may find that you enjoy trying something new. Here are some simple strategies you can use to get active and stay active.
If you haven’t been active in several years, start slowly. Always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program, as you may need to take precautions.
Generally, you’ll want to start with sessions of just five or 10 minutes. You can gradually increase the length of your sessions over time.
Your physical activity goal should be 30 minutes each day. According to Harvard School of Public Health, three 10-minute sessions are as good as one longer session. For example, in one day you could do:
- 10 minutes of dancing before work
- a 10-minute walk around the parking lot at lunch
- a 10-minute walk around the neighborhood upon arrival
Go home
Of course, exercising more is good! However, take precautions to avoid injuries, such as muscle strains. It’s best to train a little less one day if it will help you start again the next day.
You don’t just need aerobic exercise. Resistance training or weight lifting are also important. This type of exercise helps strengthen your muscles and bones and improves your balance and coordination. This reduces your risk of osteoporosis. It also helps prevent injuries or falls.
Not sure how to get started? Hire a trainer for a one-time session. If you write down the routine, you can refer to it later.
Keep reading: The importance of strength training for women »
Many gyms and community centers offer free classes with a monthly membership. Take advantage of these opportunities. You may be able to discover some of the latest and hottest fitness trends. You never know what you might fall in love with next. Not up for the gym? Look at your local sports stores for outdoor group activities.
You can get a great workout at home for just pennies. Fitness DVDs are a great way to exercise, and many local libraries have copies you can borrow. Watching different DVDs can be a great way to discover new types of exercises that you enjoy.
Another option is to listen to a fitness show on TV. Exercise classes of all types are available on the Internet for people of all fitness levels.
Other home workouts that require little or no special equipment include:
- walk or jog
- jumping rope
- dancing
- squats
- weight training with found objects (bean bags, a
a heavy book, a bottle of water) - star jumps
- push ups
Stretching after a workout should always be part of your routine. Stretching improves flexibility and range of motion. It can also reduce the risk of injury or muscle cramps. Finally, stretching improves circulation throughout the body.
If you need advice on the best ways to stretch, ask a trainer for a quick tutorial.
Read more: The 5-Minute Daily Stretching Routine »
Staying active is one of the most important ingredients of a healthy life. This becomes especially important as you get older. You can get creative by fitting in your 30 minutes of activity per day. You can dance while listening to the news, walk to the grocery store, or take a short walk after dinner. That’s all it takes!
If you can’t walk, you can still exercise. Try a chair exercise video, ask someone to help you do water aerobics in a pool, or play ball with someone from your chair. Add in some strength exercises to strengthen your bones and improve your balance, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthy lifestyle.
Be sure to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program to ensure it is suitable for your current physical condition.
