Achieving and maintaining good health and fitness requires making positive lifestyle choices. It can be tempting to give up when faced with the commitment to change. But, once you make some small adjustments to your daily routine, you’ll find it’s achievable to live an active lifestyle.
The Benefits of an Active Lifestyle
Incorporating physical activity into your daily life can bring many positive improvements to your mind and body. The following is an overview of the benefits of an active lifestyle:
• Improved cardiovascular fitness. Regular physical activity helps strengthen your heart and improve blood flow which helps reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.
• Increased muscle strength. Improving the strength of your muscles can improve your overall fitness and help you perform everyday tasks more easily.
• Improved flexibility and balance. Taking part in a wide range of exercise can help to improve the flexibility and balance of your body.
• Improved body composition. Living an active lifestyle can help to reduce body fat levels, and improve the ratio of lean body mass to fat.
• Improved mental wellbeing. Exercise can help to reduce stress, increase energy levels and raise your mood by releasing endorphins.
• Reduced risk of disease. Choosing an active lifestyle can help to lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of developing certain diseases such as type II diabetes, certain cancers and obesity.
How to Exercising Safely
Before starting an exercise plan it is important to seek advice from a health professional to ensure the exercises are suitable for you.
• Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
• Make sure the environment you are exercising in is safe and has adequate ventilation.
• Make sure you take regular breaks and drink plenty of water.
• Make sure to warm-up and cool-down before and after your exercises.
• Ensure that any footwear you are wearing is appropriate for the activity.
• Set realistic goals and seek professional advice if necessary.
Types Of Exercise To Consider
Exercise can come in many forms, it’s down to personal preference as to which type of exercise you choose. Here are some popular activities to get you started:
• Weight training
• Running
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Walking
• Team sports
• Yoga
• Pilates
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
• Strength and resistance exercises
When considering a specific exercise regime make sure it’s tailored to your lifestyle, your age, and any medical conditions you may have.
Nutrition Best Practices When Exercising
Nutrition is an essential part of an active lifestyle and should never be overlooked. Eating the wrong types of food or not eating enough food, can lead to a reduction in performance when exercising.
• Eat whole foods, avoid processed foods where possible.
• Make sure you are getting enough protein to help build muscle.
• Eat before and after exercising to keep energy levels up.
• Avoid sugary snacks and drinks as they could lead to a sugar crash.
• Consume healthy carbohydrates such as whole grain pasta and brown rice to give you energy.
• Eat a balanced diet containing the recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals.
• Avoid fatty and fried foods.
• Increase your water intake and add electrolytes to your drinks to replace lost salt and sugars.
Motivation Strategies For Keeping Active
It can be difficult to stick to an exercise plan and reach your goals, so here are some ideas that could help to keep you motivated:
• Set yourself realistic goals and break bigger goals down into smaller, achievable goals.
• Exercise with a friend or family member for encouragement and support.
• Keep track of your progress either in an exercise diary or with a fitness tracking device.
• Vary the type of exercise you do to keep it interesting.
• Reward yourself when you reach a goal, it could be with a massage or something else that you enjoy.
• Get plenty of rest and take time out to relax when needed.
• Avoid comparing your progress to others as this can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
• Take part in activities that you enjoy as this will make it easier to stay motivated.
In conclusion, to stay fit and healthy requires regular physical activity, as well as making positive lifestyle choices. There are a wide range of physical activities that you can choose from to incorporate into your fitness plan. You should also seek professional advice where necessary and take into account your nutritional needs by eating a balanced diet to support your fitness routine. Finally, it’s important to be motivated and realise that exercise can bring many physical, mental and emotional benefits.
