Exercise
Why You Need A Fun And Consistent Workout Routine
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /home/wealffco/public_html/wewt/wp-content/plugins/adsense-daemon/Adsense-Daemon.php on line 243
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /home/wealffco/public_html/wewt/wp-content/plugins/adsense-daemon/Adsense-Daemon.php on line 243
When it comes to exercising, are you a weekend warrior? One that only exercises sporadically, in this case on weekends? Going this route is not only harder on your body than if you would exercise on a more consistent basis, but it will take you longer to achieve your fitness goal, (if you ever do).
A consistent routine of cardio, strength and flexibility training three to four times per week minimum gradually works up your body’s fitness level. This recurring exercise regimen allows your muscles, tendons and ligaments to gradually strengthen and adjust to the strains of exercising.
If you only exercise on the weekends, you are increasing your risk of a debilitating injury because your body has not had a chance to gradually adjust. You are taxing it for two days and then not working it again for another five days. Do you notice that you are sore a day or two after you exercise? With a consistent routine, you would not have that soreness.
A consistent workout routine also improves your mood. When you exercise, your brain releases a hormone called endorphins. The purpose of endorphins is to reduce the discomfort of exercising, but it also has an effect on mood. Known as an exercise high, we are generally in a happier mood after exercising and the effect lasts for a few hours after. Without a consistent routine, you’ll notice more mood swings up and down.
If you are trying to lose weight or build muscle, a sporadic exercise routine will not help you achieve either goal. By only exercising two days per week you are not expending enough calories to affect weight loss. And as far as building muscle (larger muscles help burn more calories which will also help with weight loss), muscles need to be exercised at least every other day to have any real noticeable increase in size.
If you don’t yet have a consistent routine, you can create one by giving yourself a “trial period” of exercising four days per week, one hour per day, for thirty days. It takes anywhere from 21 to 30 days to turn an activity into a habit. If you find that you don’t like it after your trial period, you can go back to your old schedule (but most likely you won’t because it is now a habit).
Exercise at the same time each day. For most people it works best to do it right after they get up in the morning. However for some, they prefer to do it during their lunch hour or after work either on the way home or after getting home. Experiment and find which time works best for you and then stick to that time.
Practicing a regular exercise regimen will not only revive you physically, but also mentally. With consistency comes a gradual increase in muscle mass, reduced stress and an overall greater feeling of relaxation.
4 Tips for Making Exercise More Fun
If you go to the gym because you think you have to, verses going because you want to, then maybe you need to put some fun into your workouts. These tips are guaranteed to make your workouts more enjoyable…
Find an Exercise Buddy
Some people are happy working out alone just listening to their music. They get enjoyment from not being disturbed by others.
However, if you are a people person and miss the interaction with exercising with a friend during your workouts, find an exercise buddy. It can be a friend you already have or somebody you meet from your gym. Just having someone to talk to when working out can add enjoyment to your workouts.
Vary Your Workouts
Like the old saying “Variety is the spice of life”, so is variety to your workouts. If you do the same thing over and over, day in and day out, you will get bored with it.
Instead, switch things up. Try a new exercise. Change up the intensity. For something different try a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) routine or if you always do cardio, switch out two days per week for strength training.
Also by doing the same thing over and over, your body gets conditioned to it and you end up not burning as many calories and you did when you first started. Doing something different kick starts your metabolism.
Set Goals
Some people can be happy exercising for the sake of exercising. For them it is not the destination, but the journey; they never care if they get to the end.
However if you are the type of person that not lonely enjoys the destination, but also needs something to work toward, then set a modest goal. Once you reach it, set a higher or different one. This way you are always challenging yourself to reach a higher level of fitness.
Get Outdoors
If you always exercise in a gym, try moving your workouts outdoors. Parks, walking trails, bike paths, all are good exercise playgrounds at your fingertips. Add some intensity to your workouts by trying new paths or trails on varied terrain. Not only will it challenge your body differently, but also your mind. There is nothing as refreshing as smelling the fresh air, listening to the birds sing and soaking up the sunshine (getting your Vitamin D naturally).
Exercising doesn’t have to be boring unless you want it to be. Use these 4 tips to add fun to your workouts.