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One of the best things you can do for your health is to exercise regularly.

In fact, you'll quickly become aware of and feel the benefits that consistent physical activity can have on your health and wellbeing.

However, incorporating exercise into your routine requires a lot of resolves, and maintaining it over time requires discipline.

This article is for you if you're thinking about starting to exercise but are unsure of where to start. Here is everything you need to know about establishing and maintaining a routine.

HOW TO START EXERCISING

Why exercise?

It has been demonstrated that regular exercise significantly enhances health.

Its main advantages include lowering your risk of developing chronic diseases and assisting you in achieving and maintaining healthy body weight and muscle mass.

Additionally, studies have demonstrated that exercise can improve your mood, mental health, sleep, and even your sex life.

That's not all, either. Additionally, it may aid in preserving your energy levels.

In conclusion, exercise improves the quality of life and is effective.

Popular types of exercise

There are numerous forms of exercise, such as:

• Aerobic: Any fitness program should include some sort of constant movement as its foundation. Examples include dancing, running, and swimming.
• Strength: Strength and muscle power are improved through these exercises. Sprinting, weightlifting, plyometrics, and resistance training are a few examples.
• Calisthenics: These exercises typically involve using large muscle groups and no gym equipment. They are completed at a moderate aerobic tempo. Lunges, situps, pushups, and pullups are a few examples.
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT): Short bursts of high-intensity exercise are repeated, and they are followed by low-intensity exercise or rest periods.
• Boot camps: These are timed, intense circuits that incorporate both aerobic and resistance training.
• Balance or stability: These exercises are made to increase body coordination and muscle strength. Pilates, tai chi postures, and core-strengthening exercises are a few examples.
• Flexibility: These exercises support muscle recovery, preserve a range of motion, and prevent injury.

The aforementioned exercises can be performed separately or in tandem. The most important thing is to do what feels right to you and to enjoy yourself while doing it.

How to get started

A few things should be considered before starting a new exercise routine.

1. Check your health

 

Before beginning an exercise program, it's crucial to speak with your doctor and have a physical exam.

For those who are new to demanding and vigorous physical activities, this is especially crucial.

An early checkup can identify any health problems or conditions that could raise your risk of getting hurt while exercising.

Additionally, it can help you get the most out of your workout by making it simpler for you to comprehend your limitations and develop an exercise regimen catered to you you choose to work with a personal trainer, your requirements as well as theirs.

 

2. Make your goal specific

 

Once you've made the decision to start exercising frequently, try to develop a plan with reachable objectives and steps.

Starting with a plan of simple carry-out steps is one way to achieve this. You can keep adding to it once your level of fitness rises.

You can start by making a plan that includes shorter runs if, for example, your goal is to finish a 5-kilometer run.

Once you can complete those short runs, increase the distance until you can run the entire 5 kilometers in a single session.

Setting manageable, early goals will increase your chances of success and keep you inspired as you move forward.

3. Make it a habit

 

Success depends on maintaining a regular exercise schedule.

It seems to be easier for people to maintain an exercise regimen over time if they regularly practice it and make it a habit.

Changing an unhealthy behavior into a new, healthier habit is a great way to keep it for the long run, according to a review of studies.

Other useful strategies for extending and maintaining your routine include creating a schedule or exercising at the same time every day.

You can create the habit of exercising, for example, by planning a workout for right after work or first thing in the morning each day. Selecting a time that works best for you is essential.

1-week sample exercise program

The one-week exercise program listed below is simple to follow, doesn't call for any special equipment, and only takes 30 to 45 minutes per day to complete.

This program can be altered to fit your fitness level and desired degree of challenge.

• Day 1: 40-minute moderate-pace jog or brisk walk.
• Day 2: Rest day.
• Day 3: Walk briskly for 10 minutes. Next, finish the circuits below, taking a minute to rest between exercises but not between sets. After, stretch.
• Day 4: Rest day.
• Day 5: 30-minute bike ride or moderate-pace jog.
• Day 6: Rest day.
• Day 7: Run, jog, or take a long walk for 40 minutes.

The aforementioned one-week program is merely a starter program to get you going. Visit the following links for additional workout suggestions and schedules:

• 20-minute beginner's workout
• 30 exercises to maximize your at-home workout for different skill levels
• 6 low-impact cardio workouts in no more than 20 minutes.

A few tips for beginners

1. Stay hydrated

It's crucial to consume fluids throughout the day to keep your hydration levels in check.

Especially in hot weather, maintaining fluid balance while exercising is essential for achieving peak performance.

After your workout, drinking water can also help you recover and get ready for your next training session.

2. Optimize your nutrition

Maintain a healthy diet to help your exercise program.

You must eat foods from all food groups in order to maintain a healthy energy level and get the most out of your workout. Carbs are important because they can fuel your muscles before exercise.

Carbs are also essential for recovery from exercise because they help your muscles absorb amino acids and replenish their glycogen stores.

Additionally, protein helps build muscles, heals tissue damage brought on by exercise, and speeds up muscle recovery.

Last but not least, it has been demonstrated that regular consumption of healthy fats helps maintain muscle fuel during exercise while also lowering body fat.

For more information on pre-and post-workout nutrition, visit these links.

3. Warm-up

You should warm up before exercising. You can improve your athletic performance and lessen the chance of injuries by doing this.

It can also help with improving flexibility and reducing post-exercise soreness.

You can start your workout with easy aerobic exercises like arm swings, leg kicks, and walking lunges.

You could also warm up by performing straightforward variations of the exercise you want to do. Take walking before running as an example.

4. Cool down

Cooling down is important because it helps your body return to normal.

A brief cooling-down period can help you resume your normal breathing patterns and may even reduce your risk of getting sore muscles.

You might want to stretch after an aerobic workout or after doing resistance training.

5. Listen to your body

If daily exercise is something you're not used to, be aware of your limitations.

Stop working out as soon as you feel any pain or discomfort and take a break. Pushing through pain is not advised because it can result in injuries.

A faster and harder workout may not always be better, so keep that in mind as well.

By taking your time as you advance in your fitness program, you can maintain your routine and make the most of it.

How to stay motivated

Maintaining motivation and forming the habit of exercising requires having fun while exercising. This lessens your fear of exercising.

You can switch up the activities while keeping the program enjoyable for you, just like the example exercise program above.

Team sports, hiring a personal trainer, joining a gym, or enrolling in a virtual fitness class like yoga or Pilates are all excellent ideas to help increase motivation if you can and want to.

You can stay accountable and motivated to stick with your exercise program by exercising with a friend or a group.

You can also keep yourself motivated to set new records by keeping track of your progress by keeping a log of your weightlifting or running times.

The bottom line

Starting a new workout program might be tough. However, having specific goals might help you stick with a fitness regimen in the long run.

There are several forms of physical activity to select from. Find a handful that works for you and vary them on a regular basis.

The idea is to start carefully, gradually increase your fitness level, and allow your body to rest from time to time to avoid injuries.

Keeping track of your progress and participating in a virtual group class are two practical methods that might help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.

It's also critical to eat a healthy diet and remain hydrated on a regular basis, as well as consult your doctor to keep an eye on your health.

So what are you waiting for?

Start exercising today!