To look and feel our best, not to mention live the longest, healthiest lives possible, it’s important to get plenty of exercise. The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week, but more is always better.
That said, it’s not always easy to fit exercise into our daily schedules. Our lives seem to get busier by the day, and it can feel impossible to fit anything in that isn’t work or family-related.
That’s why it’s important to make exercise as convenient as it can be by learning how to get fitter at home.
When you workout at home, you cut out the additional time it takes to get ready for and commute to and from the gym. In doing so, you can minimize the time you spend on your daily workout while maximizing your results.
And it’s not as difficult as it might seem! Keep reading to learn exactly how to stay fit and healthy from the comfort of your own home.
Tackle Your Diet
The two pillars of health are diet and exercise, you can’t reach the pinnacle of one without the other. So while you’re planning your exercise regimen, you need to take an honest look at your diet as well.
The best diet is one made up of whole, nutrient-dense foods. This means the bulk of what you eat should be fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats and carbohydrates. It’s okay to have a treat every now and then, but you’ll never know how fantastic you can feel if you eat junk all the time.
Create Your Exercise Schedule
All humans are creatures of habit. If you have a routine and a set time that you exercise every day, you’re much more likely to do it. Now, you’ll see all sorts of times that are supposedly the “best” but in reality, working out at all is better than nothing.
When you’re just starting out, don’t worry about the best time according to everyone else, and focus on what works best for you. If you feel most motivated to exercise when you first wake up, do it then. But knocking out a workout as a post-work stress reliever is great too!
Move As Much As Possible
Cardio is the easiest type of exercise to fit into your day because it can be virtually anything. Aim for ten thousand steps a day – this might sound like a lot, but it’s an easy goal to hit when you consider that everything from household chores to walking the dog counts toward your goal.
Staying fit isn’t complicated, as long as you’re moving as much as possible, you’re doing great!
The trick is to sneak fitness into your day. Park in the furthest spot from the grocery store, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Instead of sitting on the couch to watch TV, walk on the treadmill or do a set of sit-ups.
You should be taking breaks from work anyway – throughout the day, take two or three 10-minute walks around the block. All of the little movements you make throughout the day add up.
Try a Yoga Routine
Yoga is a fantastic choice for those looking for at-home workouts. In addition to building strength, you’ll be improving your range of motion and flexibility, which are the keys to staying healthy later in life.
To begin practicing yoga, all you need is a yoga mat and clothes that enable you to move freely. You can start with a pair of regular sweatpants and a t-shirt or tank top, and if you find that you enjoy yoga, invest in a pair of these yoga pants for women.
Yoga might not look difficult, but it’s important to start with poses for beginners before moving onto more challenging routines. You need to get the feel for the activity and perfect your form first to minimize the risk of injury.
Use Your Bodyweight
When planning your at-home workout, you should include at least three days of strength training. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need expensive gym equipment to get a great workout. When getting fit, all you need is your own bodyweight.
There are a variety of bodyweight workouts you can do, but a few of the best include squats, push-ups, lunges, jumping jacks, and planking.
The main thing to keep in mind is that you should include all of the major muscle groups in your strength training. These are your chest, back, arms, abdominals, legs, and shoulders.
Push-ups, for example, work your chest, arms, abdominals, and shoulders. Jumping jacks work your legs and shoulders. And, when done properly, planking works just about every major muscle group in your body.
When you do any workout, be sure to engage your core to maximize your results. All you have to do is stand up straight and pull your belly button inward toward your spine.
Improve Your Quality of Life Through Learning How to Get Fitter at Home
Staying fit through exercise is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you have a high quality of life well into your later years. Learning how to get fitter at home is a great start, but you need to put your knowledge into action!
Take these tips and craft the perfect fitness routine for you. Remember to make it something you enjoy, as fitness should be part of your lifestyle, not just something you do for a month or two before quitting.
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