Tips for Getting Your Fitness Routine Up and Running

Re-evaluate your original plan

Starting a new fitness routine is fun and exciting, but usually after a few weeks or months, the routine becomes mundane and less effective, notes Bodybuilding.com. If you have gotten bored with your method of exercise, chances are you have a really hard time finding the motivation needed to stick to your goals. The best way to avoid boredom and see results is to constantly switch up your routine. 

The good thing about spring is your workouts no longer have to be confined to the inside of a gym. Make it a plan to get outside and be active by signing up to run a 5k or joining a community sports league. Push yourself out of your fitness comfort zone by signing up for kickboxing classes with a friend or try water aerobics. As long as you keep your routine interesting, you will never grow bored with exercising and it will become more of a habit instead of a chore. 

You may also consider creating a space in your home for a gym so you can stick to your workout plan. A home gym just down the hallway makes it that much more convenient to get in your steps or lift weights. Keep in mind that moving furniture and heavy workout equipment like a treadmill can strain your back, so get some professional help from an online service directory to prevent any unnecessary injuries while you set up the gym. 

Many people complain that time is an issue they have with exercising as well. It can seem like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to work, spend time with family, lead a healthy social life and exercise. If you can relate to this, then Tiny Buddha suggests it’s time to find more creative ways to incorporate physical activity into your day. An example would be to opt for the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Climbing stairs burns more calories per minute than jogging, builds muscle tone and helps control your weight. This is an easy form of fitness that you can build into your life and make a habit.  

If you own a dog, taking your dog out for 30-minute daily walks is a great way for you both to exercise! There are many ways you can creatively implement exercise and physical activity into your daily routine if not having enough time is a concern. Just remember to invest in an escape-proof harness so you can rest easy knowing your best friend will be safe and secure as your work out. There are websites available that provide excellent pet-product reviews so you know the harness you’re purchasing is worth the cash. 

Eat a healthy diet

Working out has a slew of benefits physically and mentally; however, if you have a poor diet, your results will be minimal. If your eating habits have gone off track since the beginning of the year, now is the time to refocus so that you can get the most out of your efforts. Many people don’t drink enough water, which is critical to achieving your health goals. Start by eliminating caffeine and alcohol. If having a few alcoholic drinks after work is how you choose to wind down, it is important that you find a healthier alternative. 

Your diet should include plenty of vegetables, healthy fatty oils, lean protein, beans, nuts and fruit. To avoid eating take out or having too many snacks while at work, pack a nutritious lunch to bring with you from home. Be sure to include healthy snacks like almonds, hummus and veggies or granola. Remember that whatever you put in your body will have a direct effect on your fitness goals so choose to fill up on healthy, nutritious foods. 

The emotional benefits of a healthy lifestyle

It’s no secret that a healthy lifestyle will boost your physical appearance, but the emotional benefits you will reap from a healthy diet and exercise will be nothing short of amazing. Your overall mood will improve, which is great for those battling high levels of stress, anxiety, or depression. Your confidence will increase as you realize you have the ultimate control over what you put into your body and how it responds.  

Your family may also benefit from your efforts because you will be leading by example which will naturally pique their curiosity and make them want to follow suit. Seeing you get back on the wagon and taking your health seriously will likely lead your children to create healthy habits themselves. 

A key to healthy living is a home in which undue or excessive stress is reduced or, for the most part, eliminated. This can be achieved by taking some simple steps, like decluttering and cleaning, and incorporating a few houseplants in the living space. Let the sun shine through, too, by opening up the blinds or curtains. A healthy home is a happy home, after all, and everyone will be the better for it. 

The path to living a healthy lifestyle is not a sprint—it’s a marathon. Just because you slid off track briefly does not mean you can’t still succeed. Keep moving forward and make this year your healthiest one yet! 

For more great articles and content designed to help guide your mind, check out the other posts available on Mente Soul.

Leah McMillan

“It’s a tale as old as time. Leah McMillan was taking on too much, saying “yes” to everything and everyone, running herself ragged, while also trying to be the best mom/partner/daughter/friend she could be. Eventually, she was running on fumes. Then, the pandemic hit. And while there were a few dicey weeks for her and her family at the beginning, she found being out of her normal “life-nado” helped her slow down and start to find her voice again. And with that voice, she started to say NO. She set boundaries, focused on spending quality time with her loved ones (even if it had to be virtual), and made her health and her family’s health her priority. Does she still have some hot mess days? Sure, but they’re definitely less frequent than they used to be. She hopes her website will inspire others to step back, take stock, and make positive life changes.”