Believe it or not, most of us don’t exercise nearly enough. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 20 percent of U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government’s physical activity recommendations. Unfortunately, this means that approximately 80 percent aren’t meeting the fitness requirements for strong, enduring health.
Starting any new exercise routine can be daunting, but these five fitness tips for every workout can make life a bit easier.
Drink Water
We hear this all the time, but don’t think much of it. This time, take it to heart!
Tip #1: Each day, drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water.
For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should aim to consume at least 75 ounces of water. The recommendation above is a great rule of thumb, but when it’s hot outside or when you’re performing excessive physical activity, you should be drinking even more.
Stretch
Tip #2: Carve a few minutes in each workout to stretch at the start and at the end of every workout.
According to Spark People, taking a few minutes to stretch before and after your workout can help enhance muscular coordination, increase circulation and improve levels of energy.
Nourish (before and after)
“You are what you eat”
Consider what you’re eating as a tool to your workout success. It’s probably easier for us to think of the more extreme case before jumping to the recommendation. Imagine what it’d be like to drink excessive alcohol and eat loads of fried food before running a marathon. Gross.
Tip #3: Consuming leafy greens, lean meats and whole grains can boost your muscle’s recovery time and help with many other functions in the body.
Allow food to be your secret weapon. Believe it or not, proper eating habits help you transform and stand out faster.
Get the support you need to thrive
Tip #4: Finding accountability will keep you in line if you begin to stray away from your exercise routine.
Staying motivated on your fitness journey isn’t easy, but having friends, family and social media to support you will make all the difference.
Use Proper Equipment
Tip #5: don’t be stingy paying for equipment, especially when it comes to items that support and enhance your body’s function.
A common example for most exercise enthusiasts is sneakers. There is a very stark the difference is between quality sneakers verses poorly-made ones. Good trainers can keep your legs, feet, back and core strong. Not-so-great shoes will set you up for shin splints, stress fractures and weak knees. The cost of bone scans and visits to specialty doctors is usually pretty high, where fronting the extra $20-30 for good shoes may make the most sense.
Purchase new shoes every 300-500 miles. If they’re noticeably deteriorating, then they have to go… now.
Regardless of the routine, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing, but instead, how you’re doing it. When it comes to your health, don’t take shortcuts. Following these tips will keep you motivated and energized for any workout plan for many years to come.
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Photo Credit thanks to Pickyeaterblog.com