Guidelines to help you make the most of your workout
Looking for ways to exercise in the middle of our new reality of eating, sleeping, and working from home? Me, too! I work best when there is someone to exercise with, but working out in self isolation poses a whole new set of challenges. However, now more than ever, it is important that we treat our bodies to the activity they deserve!
If you read my Struggling to Stay Active post, you know the positive things that getting the required amount of exercise can do for our body and mind. Now, the next step is how to find the right kind of activity for you. Each of us has a preference for both the type of workouts we like and where we prefer to exercise.
Types of Activity
Before we decide what activity is best, let’s explore some basic information about physical activity. Broadly, we classify activity into three main categories: aerobic, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening activities, each of which has its own set of health benefits. Aerobic activities tend to be the thing you think about first when you think of exercise, such as walking, jogging, biking, or even doing involved yard work. These activities require that you move in a repetitive motion for a sustained period of time.
Muscle strengthening activities are those that challenge your muscles to work in a different pattern than they normally do. For instance, you could work out using some type of resistance or increase the repetitions, or even increase the length of the hold of a movement.
Bones are strengthened along the lines of stress, so bone strengthening requires some form of impact or bearing of weight. This doesn’t have to mean you pick up a jump rope! Simply walking is a great start, but think outside the box––you could play tennis, baseball or even try dancing.
Now What?
When we consider a well rounded exercise routine, we want it to contain all three of the above types. See the figure from the Move Your Way Campaign to see the time you should be getting for each. That breaks down to 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week!
We are all challenged right now to keep a positive attitude and to not just sit around eating, watching movies, and stopping moving completely. When we exercise, our body produces endorphins that work on our brains to help us feel less pain and feel more energized, less anxious and improve our mood. So, let’s get moving! Routinely leave your desk, go outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Give your brain and your body the attention it deserves!
In my next post, I will outline more specific ways that you can create a plan that will work for you. Now that you know the importance of getting daily exercise, it’s time to commit to a daily activity goal. The good news is that with the right tools, it might be easier than you think.
If you have any questions or would like to further discuss the importance of keeping up with the needed amount of physical activity, don’t hesitate to contact me here or through CoreFit’s Facebook Page.
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