7 EASY WAYS TO GET STARTED WITH SPRING EXERCISE

Everything seems to awaken and refresh in the spring. And it’s the perfect time to think about spring cleaning for our bodies, too. If you’ve been hibernating all winter, it’s time to get outside, stretch your legs and start to exercise again.

Spring also means that summer fashion and activities aren’t far away. Exercise helps you look and feel your best. If you haven’t been working out, now is the perfect time to start.

Your new routine should begin with a visit to the doctor’s office for a physical. Be sure to inform your doctor that you plan to exercise, and always follow his or her recommendations on any limitations or modifications.

Here are 5 easy tips to help you spring into fitness with success:

Find your “why”

It’s important to focus on your true goal. Your ability to stick with exercise and a healthy lifestyle depends on your motivation. You may want to lose weight, but why? So that you will have more energy? To reverse diabetes or high blood pressure? To be there in the future for your family? So feel more confident and comfortable in your body? Your true “why” will help you keep going. Write down your goals and keep them somewhere visible.

Start small

If you aren’t accustomed to exercising, it’s difficult to stay committed to an hour a day if you aren’t yet conditioned for that. You might start by walking for 15 to 20 minutes a day, 3-4 days a week, and gradually work your way up to more. Even 10 minutes is better than nothing. Easing into exercise can also help you remain injury-free.

Schedule it

I’m a fan of early morning exercise, for many reasons. But one of the biggest benefits is that your workout is already done, no matter what the rest of a busy day brings.

Set an exercise time that works for you, and whether that’s morning, noon or night be consistent with it. Stick to it. Schedule it, like it’s an important meeting. It needs to have that kind of priority in your day so that you will get it done.

Create a plan

Rather than winging it day to day, create a formal training plan and follow it. Increase your workout time and/or intensity each week so that you progress. Take advantage of tech tools to help you keep track of your workouts, such as an app or a wearable fitness tracker. But an old-school paper journal works, too.

Build in movement throughout your day

Find little ways to get some spring exercise during the day. You might do this by having a walking meeting instead of in the conference room; making all calls mobile so that you can take a stroll or do lunges while on the phone; taking the stairs instead of the elevator; walking the dog, or standing or walking around rather than sitting while your child is at soccer practice.

Small spurts of walking can really add up. A 200-pound person burns about 150 calories by walking at a moderate pace (3 mph) for 30 minutes. If you do that every day for a year, that’s about 54,750 calories or 15 pounds lost.

Take it outdoors

Take advantage of UK spring season to enjoy outdoor exercise among beautiful blooms and perfect temperatures before summer’s heat and humidity hits. Our state offers a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities from hiking at one of our gorgeous state parks, meandering through a flowering arboretum, or exploring a small town spring festival.

Being active outdoors is also good for your mental health, and growing research evidence confirms its benefits. Advantages of “green exercise” – intentionally being physically active in natural environments include stress relief, clearer thinking, enhanced mood and happiness, less anxiety, more vitality, reduced pain sensations, improved sleep, and less tension and depression .

Seek out professional help

Have you been struggling on your own? Consider enlisting the help of a qualified health and fitness professional. A certified personal trainer can create a personalized plan and work with you one-on-one to help you reach your fitness goals and avoid injury. A registered dietitian can develop a nutrition program that uniquely fits you. Working with a professional could be one of the best investments you can make in your overall health and wellbeing.

Conclusion: Spring exercise

Also Read: 5 Best Exercises For Spring.