Of all the resolutions made each January of things to improve upon during the upcoming year, perhaps the most common is the resolution to lead healthier lifestyles. In fact, according to Web MD, about a third of New Year’s Resolutions are to eat better and exercise more.
Unfortunately, this is far easier said than done. Sometimes it seems practically impossible to say no to that extra brownie, and the gym can often seem like a daunting prospect. This can be due to time constraints or because there simply is not enough cash lying around to invest in a memberships. Those new to working out may have a particularly difficult time motivating themselves to exercise because they are intimidated by the veterans around them.
To the last of these concerns I offer the following advice. Don’t be afraid to go and workout along everyone else. There is a good chance that the people around you were once in your shoes. A good thing to remember is that no matter how slow or out of breath you may be, you are still lapping everyone still sitting on the couch. For those without the time or money, however, there are exercises available that can be done outside of a gym and are not at all expensive.
The first, and perhaps the simplest, of these exercises is an extremely obvious one: walking. The workout that can be derived from taking a long, steady walk is often underestimated. That being said, you won’t burn as many calories as most other exercises and it is unrealistic to expect any results when you are moving at a snail’s pace, but if you are able to push yourself to move at a nice brisk pace it will make a difference. If you are not accustomed to exercise, start out walking shorter distances and go a little farther each day. If you don’t have the time to go on a set walk each day, never fear. You can make little changes into your day to make your walk fit into your schedule. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, for instance, or take long routes to get to class.
Another good way to work in some exercise is get friends together for some friendly competition. Organize a group of friends to play a game of soccer or ultimate Frisbee. Playing with other people will make the time go by faster and help you to forget that you’re working out.
Your television and computer are surprisingly good tools to use for a workout. Workout DVDs are available at Wal-Mart for very low prices and YouTube is full of exercise videos. Find one that works for you and plug it in. They will show you how to complete a workout that can really be challenging. Even if you cannot find one to suit your specific tastes, your television can still come in handy. Whenever you sit down to watch your favorite shows, don’t actually sit down. Run in place or do jumping jacks in front of the screen while the program is playing and do strengthening exercises (crunches, push-ups, etc.) during the commercials.
Getting in shape doesn’t have to be flashy or time consuming, but it should be a priority. In fact, it’s recommended that adults get at least an hour of activity per day. If none of these suggestions seem appealing to you, don’t be afraid to go online. Sites like fitness.com and Men/Women’s Health have a wide selection of workouts and tips to help you become more active so that this year you can keep that New Year’s Resolution.