It’s always a good time to prioritize your self-care and health. Whether your fitness goals look like losing weight, building strength, improving flexibility, or all of the above, there’s no need to totally overhaul your life to achieve them. In fact, the best place to begin is by looking for ways to integrate fitness into your existing daily routine. Instead of making dramatic overhauls that feel like a chore, try out some of the following suggestions of how to make fitness a part of your routine.
Here’s Exactly How to Make Fitness a Part of Your Routine (No Massive Time Commitment Required)
#1 Look for Ways to Add More Steps in Your Day
You’ve probably heard the scary statistics calling sitting “the new smoking.” And it’s true—we’re all sitting way, way more than we should be.
Think you’re undoing all the damage of sitting on your rear by your daily workout? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple! The studies show we actually need to be getting more steps in and being less sedentary to truly improve our health.
Purposely park your car further away when you go to the store. Take the stairs instead of an elevator. The more you move during the day, the more it will create a habit of movement that your body craves.
#2 Get Social With It
Social time is debatably just as crucial for our overall health and wellbeing as fitness is, so why not kill two birds with one stone and combine the two?
Tons of research shows that having the accountability of a buddy system makes you way more likely to stay committed. And having a buddy sure makes your workouts more fun.
So, invite a friend over to workout with you in your home, suggest you go on a walk instead of sitting at the coffee shop, and get your sweat on while being social.
#3 Make Your Workday More Movement Focused
For many of us, our 9-5 workday is where we’re logging the most sedentary hours. So, try to change it up!
More offices are supplying employees with standing desks, which is an obvious way to sit less and move more. If you can’t get one though, set a timer on your phone to remind you every 20 minutes to at least stand up.
Take some short walk breaks, walk to fill your water bottle, or take a walking meeting with your coworkers.
#4 Pick Up New Hobbies
Traditional workouts aren’t the only way to get movement in. You can also pick up new hobbies like dance classes, or a sport, all of which will get you off the couch and moving your body while having fun and getting your recreational fun time in.
#5 Ditch the Car When You Can
Most of us spend a large part of our life sitting in our cars. One great way to get movement into your day is to look for opportunities to get from point A to B by walking or biking.
Live close to a grocery store? Or only a mile or two from work or your favorite coffee shop? Lace-up your sneakers and leave the car in the garage.
Make Fitness An Easy & Enjoyable Part of Your Daily Routine
Remember, when working toward your fitness goals for the new year, every bit counts!
Just because you can’t suddenly commit to hours of fitness a week doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your health goals.
Little steps and changes add up for your health in a big way, so get moving!
