The life that you live is entirely up to you. Of course, plenty of people have been put into unfortunate circumstances, and some have been put into more favorable positions. However, the actions that you take and the experiences that you create for yourself are your responsibility. This is why you should always strive to have a positive life and make the most out of any situation that you are presented with.
One of the best ways to live a good and full life is to remain healthy. This should be a primary goal for everyone. As well as this, it should be something that you are putting into practice each day. One of the best ways to do this is to form good habits that you don’t even have to think about. For example, plenty of people get into the habit of taking vitamins and supplements in the morning. This can be great for anyone who is lacking in these areas.
Of course, a huge part of your health is going to come from your fitness and the exercise you do. For some, the word ” fitness ” can be daunting and might scare you. This definitely should not be the case, however. It is understandable how the idea of fitness is not that favorable. A lot of people grow up with fitness through sports clubs or their parents’ careers.
However, there are a lot of people who haven’t had much association over the years, which is fine. There is never really a bad time to start getting invested in fitness. You might feel like you have missed the mark when it comes to starting for the first time. This is definitely not the case.
If you are getting ready to start your fitness journey, here are some tips to help make you more comfortable with the adventure.
It’s Never Too Late
The first thing you need to know is that it is never too late, no matter what kind of fitness you are about to get invested in. If you are looking for a sports team to join, there are going to be plenty of options based on your age group. If you are looking to join a gym, most of them will be very welcoming to people of all ages. For example, 55 Fitness best gym for seniors, might be a good option for people over a certain age.
There are plenty if you are looking for a reason to not get involved with fitness. However, using your age as an excuse should not be the case. It will likely just be the case of trying to find the right option that suits you the best.
Take Your Time
A lot of people love to rush into their workouts. So what does this mean? You could say this when people want to lift weights that are too heavy for them. This is usually the case when people are experiencing some gym anxiety and don’t want to appear weak.
The truth is, anyone who is in that gym was a beginner at some stage. Chances are they were lifting the same weights if not lighter ones. Start where you are comfortable and take your time.
The same can also apply to runners. People want to sprint an entire 5km course as quickly as they can. Any experienced runner is going to tell you that this is not the right way to start a running habit. Run at a pace that suits you. All you are going to attain by not taking your time is a lack of breath, injuries, and exhaustion.
Take your time in any kind of workout that you are doing. From weights to running to sports, go at a pace that suits you. You shouldn’t worry about other people’s thoughts or anything like that. Everyone starts somewhere, and the best way to begin is slowly.
Enjoy Working Out
Working out should be something that you enjoy. Look at people who train multiple days a week. Do you think they would be doing that if they did not enjoy the workouts that they did? This is why you need to focus on a workout that you can enjoy.
Of course, your muscles are going to be sore, and you will be tired. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time getting to that position. For example, you might hate the idea of going out on the run. Which is understandable, as it is not something everyone resonates with.
This might mean the idea of going to a gym to lift weights is more appealing. Or, this could even work in the opposite way. Maybe running is something that you would thoroughly enjoy, but no other form of exercise would appeal.
Another way that you can make any workout enjoyable is by listening to music. Listening to songs that can get you going will allow you a much more enjoyable workout. This will let you get in the zone and focus on putting in the hard work.
Cardio
If your fitness goals are to burn calories, increase your stamina, and have a healthier heart, then cardio-based exercises are definitely going to be for you. So what kind of workouts fall into this category?
- Running
- Swimming
- Cycling/Spinning
- Hiking
- Elliptical
All the exercises above are great for getting your heart rate up and moving your whole body. This is why they are so effective when it comes to burning calories. For many cardio options, you aren’t require much, if any, equipment. This means you don’t have to worry if you don’t live near a gym or any facilities similar to that.
Due to a lot of cardio being long periods of exercise and often out in nature, it is a great option to benefit your mental health. Many people will tell you that going on a long run or hiking is a great way to clear your mind.
Weights
If your goal is to build muscle and tone your body, then you are going to be looking at weight lifting. If you wanted, you could invest in some weights and work out at home. There is actually a lot that you can do with just two dumbbells.
However, if you are looking for the biggest range of exercises and options, then joining a gym is going to be your best option. This way, you can use different size weights as well as varied shapes. This means you are going to have more options to build different muscle groups.
Lifting weights is very different to cardio in the way you work out. Weight lifting will challenge you for a few reps before getting a good rest, unlike cardio, which is constant work. However, there is a good chance these muscle groups you train will ache the next day. This is why stretching and recovery is important when you are lifting weights.
Recovery
No matter if you do cardio, weight lifting, or sport, you need to give your recovery some attention. As a beginner, this is particularly important. You are going to ache and be in more pain than others. However, this is normal, and you shouldn’t worry. Just be sure you are not overtraining.
This means working out muscles that are still sore or running and playing sports when your legs are still tired. This can lead to a more serious injury, which you want to avoid.
It is a good idea for anyone to stretch both before and after their workout. This is going to help relieve your muscles and help them perform better. As well as this, you will need to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep at night might mean that your muscles suffer as a consequence and don’t recover correctly.
Asking for Advice
You should never be afraid to ask for advice or tips when you are working out. If you have joined a sports team, you are going to have coaches and teammates to ask. They are going to be more than happy to help you out, as they should want to see you succeed. The same is going to apply to anyone who is training in a gym.
You will be surprised how friendly the members of your gym can be. It might seem daunting to go up and ask a stranger for help. However, you will most likely be met with a pleasant response. Even as a runner, if you see someone taking a break, feel free to ask them questions about their running style or any advice they have for you.
If you are not feeling confident about what exercise you might be capable of if it has been a while, then you could always speak to your doctor or physiotherapist and see what they recommend you start off with, like something light and relatively easy on the body, and work your way up to other more strenuous exercises.