Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Fitness Level Now

1. Take it One Day at a time

Building a new healthy habit is as challenging as quitting an unhealthy one. Rather than committing yourself to a challenge that may result in failure, begin with today.

Be active today; it doesn’t need to be complicated or involve a large investment. 

• Go for a walk.
• Take the stairs rather than the elevator.
• Try parking your car at the farthest corner of the parking lot to increase your walking distance.
• Ride your bike to work.
• Do five sit up, five push-ups, and five squats.

Just get your body moving. Tomorrow morning, set a new challenge! Give this a go for just a week; I guarantee you will feel amazing. Then, commit to doing a more structured workout one or two days a week. See how this feels, then add a day. 

Before you know it, you will be active on more days than you are not. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. Life happens, other commitments get in the way. It’s ok, be kind to yourself, and try to get a workout in the following day. 

 

2. Take mini-wellness breaks

Most office settings allow for a break in the morning and afternoon, as well as a lunch break. Rather than sitting in the breakroom, take on the building stairs and get climbing. Or, carve out a small space in your office for a yoga mat and do some simple moves or focused breathing. 

• Create a walking group with your co-workers, and get outside.
• Start an office wellness challenge, such as an active group activity at lunch.
• Inquire about swapping your desk out for a standing desk; get a high-quality mat, and as you stand, incorporate walking on the spot, squats, lunges, and stretches!

 

3. Seek out Neighborhood Opportunities

Many neighborhoods offer some form of recreation. Mine has a community skating rink and twice-weekly exercise classes led by a community member. Both are free!

• Do some research into your own area, and you are sure to find some way to be physically active and meet your neighbors!

 

4. Cut Back on Indulgences

If your diet needs a significant overhaul, consult a registered dietician or nutritionist to get you on the right track. I find that taking the position of “I’m never eating french fries again” never works.

• Instead,  I am mindful of my diet, I make great choices more often than not, and I do allow myself an indulgence once in a while.
• Instead of a candy bar to satisfy my chocolate craving, I choose a small portion of high-quality dark chocolate.
• Instead of diving into a bucket of ice cream, I prefer a quality frozen yogurt.

 

5. Create a home gym

Now, more than ever, it’s challenging to get to the gym.

By creating a home gym, you can provide a safe, effective workout space that is yours and yours alone.

No more parking fees, locker fees, and gym memberships.

No need to set a reminder to pack and take a gym bag.

It doesn’t take a great deal of money to create a home gym, nor do you need a great deal of space.

• Ensure that you have enough room to move safely, that the floor is non-slippery, and offers some amount of cushion.
• A stability ball will allow you to do a wide range of practical, challenging exercises and stretching.
• Make room for a tablet or your smartphone so that you can engage in the thousands of online fitness classes.
• Many of these classes are free and range from gentle stretching, dance, yoga, pilates, martial arts, HITT, and more! 

Some high-quality resistance bands will allow you to complete a workout that will exhaust every muscle in your body! Resistance bands are great for a home gym as they are compact, lightweight, affordable, and will give you a toned, lean body.

Add a muscle roller stick and massage balls to provide your body with the post-workout recovery and relief that it deserves as you become fitter and healthier!