It is never too late in life to start a fitness regime. If it is an area that you have not paid attention to in the past, there are some fundamental items that you need to consider before you think about fit and toned once more. After all, we don’t want you hurting yourself. Here is a list of things you should consider.
A great way to get fit is to cut out regular soda from your diet. Drinking regular soda is pretty much the equivalent of drinking sugar. It definitely will not facilitate any kind of fitness goal. Instead, switch to diet soda or better yet, switch to water.
The best way to ensure you stick with getting regular exercise is to do things you enjoy doing. Getting an effective workout does not have to mean working out on boring machines like treadmills. Instead, find something you love to do like joining a dance class or riding a bike.
See a physician before starting a new exercise plan, especially if you aren’t used to exercising. Discuss your general health and any concerns you have about starting to exercise. If you have unknown health problems you may do inappropriate exercises, or you may overdo it and cause injuries. As your fitness level increases you can do more intense and long lasting workouts.
Try joining a sports team to help you meet your fitness and weight loss goals. If you have an entire team of people relying on you to be at practice and games every day, you’re not as likely to chicken out and skip work outs. Not only can it keep you on track, you can have fun too.
Try increasing your foot speed in speed sports by doing some foot exercises. Start by placing your feet hip-width apart and placing your hands at your sides. Stretch one leg out in front of you and touch it with the opposite hand, then lower it back to the floor. Do the same with the other hand and foot, except do it from behind you. Do these for about 20 seconds. Try to pick-up speed doing them for maximum results.
You should try to keep your body as limber as possible. You should hold your stretches for 30 seconds if you are under 40 years old. If you are over 40, you should hold your stretches for one minute. As you become older, your muscles get less pliable. As a result, your stretches need to be held for longer.
Keep your workout machines and dumbbells in order. Use the smaller weights first and work your way up to the larger weight like barbells and bench presses, and then eventually work your way up to a machine. The smaller weights uses more of your muscle and you get fatigued easier.
When riding a bike for exercise, you should try riding with only one leg. This forces you to concentrate on the one leg that is moving the entire bike. It also provides more of a workout for that individual leg if you ride it for a significant amount of time.
If you run or walk often and in the morning hours your calf muscles feel tight, give sleeping on your belly with your feet placed slightly off the bed a shot. When you use this technique, your feet are gently stretched all night, simply due to the force of gravity.
If you feel a little beat up after exercise, you may be tempted to pop an ibuprofen or acetaminophen pill. Don’t do it. Studies have shown that these pills are about as effective as a placebo to relieve the pain associated with exercise. Moreover, it’s been shown that the pills can actually slow down the growth of muscles if taken post-exercise.
Arrange a neighborhood DVD swap. If you are getting bored with your same old workout DVD, gather some friends and schedule a swap. Every week or two pass your DVD on to your neighbor and receive a new one from another neighbor. This way, you don’t have to invest in a whole fitness DVD library, but you can still try out different workouts.
Invite your close friends to exercise with you. A great way to make your fitness routine more fun, and rewarding, is to have your friends join you in it. You will soon find that working out in a group is an easy way to keep each other motivated and moving.
Using the advice above, a little imagination, and after obtaining the all-clear from your doctor, you will be in a position to bounce into a fitness routine with vim and vigor. Remember to take things slowly at first, and build up your momentum as your fitness and energy levels increase. Your body will definitely thank you for your efforts.
