Every journey starts with a first step. This takes a bit of planning and a commitment to the process. Getting started is the hardest part. Start by setting a schedule of specific days and times you will be doing your workouts and make those times non-negotiable. With that said life still happens and we do have to remain flexible. A good way to approach it is to use an 80/20 rule, if you’re getting in 80% of your workouts or hitting 80% of your nutritional goals you’re winning! If something comes up at work that keeps you away from your commitment just put that day behind you and look forward to tomorrow. You can keep your workouts short at first if you’re new to fitness and slowly build duration over time as your body adjusts to your new schedule. A good plan to start for example would be 3 days on 1 day off then 2 days on 1 day off. This gives your body adequate rest to rebuild and recover. As far as recovery goes our bodies do most our physical and mental recharge in our sleep so be sure you’re getting at least 7 hours per night, preferably 8.
Getting older is just a part of life, but that doesn’t mean we need to give in to it, I’ve seen too many people who were active when they were younger become inactive and watched their health slowly fade away causing countless health issues. Think about like this, if you didn’t service your car for 5 years it would become rusty and probably inoperable forcing you to put a lot of money into it to get it running again. While in those same 5 years you had regular service done and put care and attention into that car, it would most likely be a solid reliable form of transportation. It’s the same principal with our bodies. If left neglected and inactive we will be left with a body that continues to break down and give us endless problems which will also costs a lot of unnecessary spending on medical bills.
Fitness nurtures overall health and has been proven to remedy an array of common ailments. Staying fit has so many more benefits than we realize, and while we will adjust and modify are workouts with age, we can continue to keep our bodies running efficiently.
Here is a short list of what remaining active can do for us:
- Improve cardiovascular health lowering blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Improve and control weight management.
- Regulate blood sugars and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Improve mental health which can reduce signs of depression, anxiety and overall stress.
- Maintain strong bones and muscles to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- Improved sleep.
- Improved brain function and memory.
- Improved immune system reducing common illnesses.
- Increased energy levels.
- There is no downside to getting and staying fit, so go get started!
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