Wellness and physical fitness are two highly prized qualities in an individual. Both reduce disease risks while lengthening lifespan.
Physical fitness improves muscle strength, bone density, balance and flexibility – as well as lowering your risk of falling and injuring yourself, which becomes increasingly more likely as we age.
Moderate to vigorous aerobic exercises increase both breathing and heart rate, including activities such as brisk walking, swimming and mowing the lawn.
1. Plan Your Routine
Maintain your health and fitness goals by creating an exercise routine tailored to you. Aim to be active on most, preferably all, days of the week for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity) per week.
Bring all the components of fitness together into one exercise regimen, such as cardio, strength training and flexibility training. Aim to include each of these activities during each workout session so as to anticipate obstacles throughout the week such as sudden meetings, unexpected work events or emergencies that could arise.
Plans help make healthy living a lasting habit. Prepping meals, packing a gym bag or creating backup home workouts will keep you on track and ensure that you reach your desired results.
2. Hire a Coach
An accountability coach can keep you focused and on track with meeting your health goals. They will teach new techniques that will enhance fitness levels, ultimately decreasing your risk for chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease or diabetes over time.
Finding the right health and fitness coach is of utmost importance, so be sure to find someone who can cater their services specifically to your needs and schedule. Furthermore, make sure that they communicate in ways that suit your lifestyle whether that means in-person meetings or virtual chats.
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing that goes beyond mere absence of disease or infirmity.” Furthermore, they differentiate between exercise and fitness by noting that exercise involves planned bursts of physical movement intended to increase cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength or flexibility while fitness measures the totality of fitness within one’s body.
3. Set Goals
Setting fitness goals can be an excellent way to boost motivation and commitment; however, unplanned or unrealistic goals could leave you feeling discouraged and defeated.
Setting effective goals means making sure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Aiming to consume three servings of fruits and veggies each day would qualify as both measurable and attainable goals.
Goals could include increasing the frequency and duration of physical exercise each week; or setting an aggressive deadline like running your first marathon by next summer. Personal trainers suggest breaking goals down into smaller steps – such as running two miles within two months.
4. Manage Your Stress
Stress is an integral part of life and should be managed to stay healthy. Stressful situations may serve as motivation to study for an exam or complete an important project; however, too much ongoing tension can wear you down and compromise your wellbeing; thus it’s crucial that we manage our levels effectively to maintain good health.
Recognize situations that trigger stress and take steps to either alter the situation itself or your response to it. For instance, if your commute causes you undue anxiety, take another route or consider public transit as possible solutions.
Reducing stress requires getting adequate rest, exercising regularly, spending time with loved ones and engaging in relaxing activities like listening to soothing music or watching a funny movie – even just petting your pet can help! Avoid engaging in harmful habits like smoking and drinking that may temporarily alleviate symptoms but can actually compromise health in the long run.
5. Take Care of Your Body
Physical health is an integral component of overall well-being. It can reduce the risk and severity of diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancer while improving mental wellbeing, quality of life and ability to think and act.
Exercise can help maintain a healthy weight, strengthen bones and muscles, increase balance, flexibility and endurance as well as boost energy and immunity levels.
Assuring at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily is ideal. Make sure that it includes both cardiovascular and muscle-building exercises as well as everyday movement like walking, climbing stairs and helping out with household tasks. Furthermore, ensure you’re getting enough sleep; your only body deserves to be looked after properly!