It’s a well-known fact that both diet and exercise are crucial in maintaining a healthy body. However, I recently found out that its 80% diet and only 20% exercise.
Sometimes, due to an illness (which may not be completely diagnosed yet), people have to adjust their diet drastically. That's what happened with me and thankfully, it means that the 80% healthy is well on it’s way to becoming an active part of my life. There are a number easy foods that are enjoyable and are easy to make that are quite healthy (but plain).
The next step then is incorporating regular exercise into daily life. It’s always difficult over winter as the days are short and the weather is rubbish (especially in the UK). However, I am starting to have a few ideas so I’ll share these below.
1. Quick morning exercise
Honesty, this does not sound like fun to me. However, there are so many quick options for exercise that may be easy enough to do though . For example, you could do something gentle like a few stretches or maybe do one of the higher intensity 10 minute workouts. If you get up an extra 15-20 minutes earlier, you may be able to fit it in. It helps you wake up and can leave you feeling energized for the day ahead. Another plus is that you don't need to then try and fit exercise in at the end of the day when you're tired.
2. Joining a class/gym
This is something I have wanted to do for a while but the cost puts me off. However, many places are now letting you get a day pass or pay per session so that’s something worth trying. It keeps you more motivated in a group of people as well as being more fun than exercising at home. It can also help keep your motivation up as fitness professionals will be able to reassure you that you're doing the exercises correctly.
3. Going for walks/jogs
If you have a dog and just walk them when you have to, maybe try to go out for a bit longer or have a shorter but more intense walk. You could even go out for a jog a couple of times a week. I have a horse too and just maintaining the field can act as a bit of exercise during the week. Going for walks can also help clear your mind which would help if you are struggling with stress.
4. Find a hobby you enjoy
Now this can be a sport, or something with animals, but if you have found a way to exercise but doing something you like, then you will look forward to it. Two birds with one stone as you are out enjoying your life but also getting fit.
These are just a few ideas I have at the moment and honestly, I’m not quite sure how well they will work out but hopefully, it’ll be one step closer to living a healthier lifestyle. It’s important just to find some time every day or at least a few times a week to keep fit so that you can enjoy all the great things that life has to offer and not be held back by health issues.
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