Guest Blog – Fitness Made Simple

Today I am having a break. This is a Guest Blog from McKenzie Wilson – you will find a link to his site, CKE Naturals. The article emphasises the value of walking (and dog ownership!) and is full of good sense – but my inclusion of this Blog does not necessarily endorse what he is flogging!

Fitness Made Simple – Key Steps To A Healthier, Stronger You

Many of us have made resolutions to stay fit and healthy and maintain a promising and quality-filled life. Making resolutions and decisions is relatively easy, but let’s discuss implementing those challenges. People tend to go through both extremes where they reject the idea of fitness and exercise entirely due to the illusion that it’s intimidating or unachievable, or they excessively work out a routine that their body is not ready for yet. While this attitude proves a sense of determination and drives towards achieving a goal, it can also lead you to quit altogether or maintain a goal your body cannot keep up with.

It’s essential that you find your middle ground from both extremes and gradually work your way up. We are only human, after all, and we need to take care of our physical growth as well as mental health while incorporating self-care routines. Start viewing fitness as a lifestyle rather than a part-time hobby to get the most out of your exercises for the best fitness routines and cognitive support. Here are some key steps to achieve a healthier, stronger you.

Get a Dog

If you’re not at the gym, that doesn’t change the fact that you must always incorporate fitness routines wherever you go. The best way to do this is to adopt a dog to accompany you on your walks. Walking is one of the most convenient activities you can perform in terms of staying active without the gym. The bigger the dog the better. Big dogs have an insane amount of energy and are likely to ensure you get the same exercise. Devote time to each walk to burn calories and improve the quality of your heart.

Moreover, the arrival of a new pet, specifically a dog, has been shown to increase the owner’s activity levels.

Debra Gray, a fitness expert, and model in Omaha, Neb, says, “Walking more does have added value, especially when you walk briskly for a longer duration, up hills, or use your arms for more than just a comfortable gait and swing them with your body. It might not just be more that’s better, but the intensity and variety of your walking.”

Heavy Gardening

Gardening qualifies as exercise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Routine gardening activities like weeding, raking, and trimming, engage multiple muscle groups at a time, improving your overall fitness. Working in your yard is a source of moderate to vigorous physical activity in young adults. According to the US Physical Activities for Americans, it is one of the physical activities with the lowest injury rates.

Additionally, gardening just two hours a week is known to boost mood. According to studies, communal gardening that proliferates in schools and communities provides social benefits that can alleviate stress and help combat isolation, even dementia.

Design a fitness program.

It’s easy to claim that you want to exercise daily, but what you really need is to design a plan.

Firstly, you need to assess the goal of your fitness. Your plan will be different if your goal is to lose weight compared to preparing for a marathon. Clear goals can help gauge your progress.

You need to balance your routine with your lifestyle. Always reach for something realistic and always keep your own strengths and capabilities in mind. Strive for 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic workout a week, or a combination of both activities. All of this should be spread out throughout the course of a week. Start slow and gradually incorporate this routine into your lifestyle. For instance, you can watch your favorite show while running on your treadmill to avoid the tediousness of some activities.

Choose your drinks wisely.

The importance of staying hydrated is stressed in many fitness guidelines, and rightfully so. Whether you’re heading off to spin class or any other exercise class, it’s always vital to hydrate to stay energized and ensure your most active workout.

However, you don’t want to grab any drink for hydration because even electrolyte-loaded athletic drinks, for instance, may be a source of unnecessary calories. Always resort to water as your go-to hydration drink.

There are a few exceptions, like if you’re performing a high-intensity exercise for an extended period, go for regular sports drinks. They can give you a replenishment boost, mainly since they include electrolytes, minerals, and typically vitamins.

Bottom Line

Walking is the best form of exercise because it can be done in any form and anywhere with a safe walking path. Along with its numerous benefits for health and the heart, it can also be a fun, leisurely, and relaxing activity. Plan a fitness program that bests suits you while keeping your strength and weaknesses in mind. Additionally, don’t forget to always stay hydrated before and after you hit the gym or start your workout routines. You can monitor all activity to see how much you’ve achieved and measure your success to motivate yourself to continue pushing forward. We hope you find this article insightful.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/drinks.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4847102/