Maintaining an active lifestyle is so important but it is often so overlooked. Many times we put it off thinking we are in reasonably good shape and we will get started later. Before we know it, we find ourselves totally out of shape and miserable. At this point, it is often difficult to make a commitment to any physical activity. We may be overweight, our joints ache, our muscles have begun to weaken, and we just don't really feel like being active. However, it is important to get started moving, one step at a time if necessary and begin making progress before it is too late.
Often I find myself making excuses to avoid the gym or taking a walk, but after completing the physical activity, I often will comment that I feel so much better now that I have walked or gone to the gym. It makes you feel better not only physically, but mentally as well. Although I know that I should be physically active daily, it is difficult to be consistent. Therefore, you must make it a priority, set a time for it, and try to be consistent. Sometimes, it is just the thought of it hanging over your head, but once do it, you will be glad that you did.
Physical activity is important in your weight loss journey. If you are sedentary, you body will begin to adapt to that lifestyle, utilizing fewer calories throughout the day. You may lose weight initially, but it will become much more difficult to continue to lose weight without some type of physical activity. You actually begin to need less and less food in order to sustain your body. However, when you remain active, your body continues to burn calories and it is much easier to continue your weight loss.
Choose a fitness plan that works for you. Some of the considerations could be walking, jogging, going to the fitness center and utilizing the weight machines, treadmills, or attending one of the many fitness classes available, including yoga, dance, aerobics, water exercise, and more. Whatever the activity, make it a point to be consistent. Initially, you may dread it and even wonder why you ever began. However, if you persevere, you will find that you begin feeling better as you realize that it is really a worthwhile activity.
If your body has adjusted to a sedentary lifestyle, initially your fitness plan may have to be as simple as walking for two minutes or walking throughout the house several times each day. Do any type of activity that you have not been doing just to gradually get you moving. Try to do it several times throughout the day and gradually increase the time. This will get you moving to get your body out of the sedentary lifestyle mode if you are consistent.
Depending on your fitness level with any physical activity, you should begin very slowly and increase as your endurance improves. Each type of activity has its limitation as you begin. So begin slowly because you do not want to have a setback because of an injury. It is better to err on the side of caution. It really doesn't matter what you do but you must move to increase your activity level so that you will burn more calories. Moving also helps to keep your joints lubricated.
Varying your routine helps to keep you from getting bored but also helps to keep your body from adapting to your workout routine. If you are walking or jogging on a treadmill, it may help to vary your speed so that you do not get bored with it. I often watch the news as I walk on the treadmill so that I do not get bored as well as alter the speed to keep my body from adapting to my workout routine. If you are lifting weights, you might work on the upper body one day and the lower body the next. Most any of the activity classes would have enough variety to keep your body from adapting to the workout.
I once read that even if you walk for several short intervals of time rather than for the total amount of time all at once, that the short intervals provide similar benefits. Even if you cannot commit to longer intervals or even several shorter intervals, it is still imperative that you keep active. Whether walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, or another activity, it is important to keep moving. Although I was not physically active throughout my life, I have refused to accept a sedentary lifestyle at this stage in my life. Even so, I still can see the importance of getting started earlier in life. I wish I had.
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