New Year – New Me

We wouldn’t be alone in saying that with the New Year comes a new level of motivation to improve our health, especially our fitness. However it can be difficult to find the time in our busy schedules and remain committed to our health goals. Here are a few tips to help you achieve a healthy relationship with exercise this year.

Tip 1 – Move with joy
Exercise doesn’t have to be boring and nor should it be. Let go of the strict rules and move in a way that brings you joy. Love dancing? Join a local dance class once per week with some friends or your significant other. Want to spend more time with the kids? Head to your local trampoline centre and join them on the springs for half an hour. Anything that gets your muscles moving, your blood flowing and your heart rate up is considered exercise. So forget forcing yourself to do something you hate and start moving for joy!

Tip 2 – Join a local sporting team
As we get older we tend to play less organised sport, yet joining the local basketball, netball or soccer club (just to name a few) is one of the most effective ways to maintain a regular exercise routine and enjoy social activity. Have a look in your local area and see what team sports are offered and enjoy the benefits of regular movement.

Tip 3 – Set small, achievable goals
Something we can all be guilty of is setting large, unrealistic goals when we first plan to move more. As a general rule, the quicker we start something, the quicker we tend to stop doing it. Aim for 10 minutes of activity a day everyday rather than 30 minutes a day a few times a week. Why? Doing something every day sets up a regular habit in the brain – especially if we do it at the same time every day. Once your new routine feels automatic, and you’re doing it without much thought, then start increasing the duration of the activity from 10 minutes to 15 minutes, then to 20 minutes, and so on. Small, consistent steps are the key to maintaining a long-term exercise routine with gradual progression.

For more information on how to better manage your health, visit www.astutesimplicityhealth.com.au.

Information sourced from The Wellness Workshop (www.thewellnessworkshop.com.au).