Adopting a healthy lifestyle is about more than just your physical health. It can also significantly alter your daily routine for the better, help you de-stress, and make you feel rejuvenated. In other words, a consistent exercise regimen can also boost your mental health.
The best part is how little time you need to exercise each day. Many people assume you need to exercise at least an hour every day. However, just 30 minutes is more than sufficient. But, you need to make those 30 minutes count.
Getting Started
Here are the five top tips for establishing and maintaining a healthy exercise regimen. Work on incorporating them into your life and experience a surge in your mental and physical well-being.
1. Establish a Consistent Workout Schedule
Exercising is all about consistency. There is no point in working out for hours on end one day, only to devote 15 minutes to it the next. Nor does it help if you are regularly exercising at irregular hours. Therefore, you need to adopt a consistent exercise routine.
This means working out for roughly the same amount of time each day. Taking 30 minutes is usually not difficult, but you can make it easier by dividing those 30 minutes into 10-minute exercise sessions one each for morning, evening, and night. This way, you can still initially meet your daily exercise criteria of 30 minutes without overexerting yourself.
Lastly, make sure that you always exercise according to a set routine. This way, your body can acclimate to your routine and adapt accordingly. To achieve this, set aside time for your exercise regimens on your daily planner.
2. Find A Workout Partner
Sometimes, it helps to have a workout partner with you. This could be a friend, a loved one, a colleague, or someone you trust who also wants a workout partner. When you consistently exercise with someone, you ensure that you stay committed to your goals.
Your workout partner ensures you stick to the plan you both agreed on. Similarly, you also help them remain committed so it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Plus, with a workout partner, it’s easier to keep track of each other’s progress and encourage the other to exercise even harder.
3. Count Your Steps
Working out does not mean you have to look like a professional weightlifter, nor do you need to look like an Olympic swimmer. Simply walking can be adequate for weight management strategies. Indeed, experts recommend you walk at least 5,000 steps each day for a healthy cardiovascular system.
4. Take Care of Distractions
You do not need to work out for a lengthy period to see the benefits of exercise. But it can be very tempting to forgo those 30 minutes of exercise in exchange for time on the TV, computer, or smartphone. Hence, you must turn off all distractions and silence your phone, instead concentrating on your exercise routine.
However, some people benefit from having these devices help as part of their habit of exercising. For instance, many people listen to the news or a podcast when exercising. In this case, integrate these devices as a part of your regimen without letting them take control of your workout.
5. Motivate Yourself
Set up a positive incentive structure for yourself. Make working out gratifying, especially during the first few months when you are most likely to forgo your routine. You can motivate yourself in several ways, such as a special healthy treat at the end of the week after you successfully exercise for 30 minutes each day.
Alternatively, you could take yourself to the cinema or shopping after sticking to your routine for a month. Over time, you will become accustomed to working out and will not need an incentive structure for yourself. Your body and mind will automatically think there is a reward at the end of the exercise routine.
Healthy Exercise Weight Management Strategies
These five tips will help push yourself into cultivating a consistent exercise regimen. So incorporate them into your life and look forward to a new and refreshed relationship between your body and mind. And with time and patience, you will see the fruits of your labor paying off in the mirror.
To learn more about different ways to manage your weight, meet with our weight management strategists to develop a plan that works for you. Reach out to Imperial Family Center to schedule an appointment today.