Top Ten Ways to Energize Your Exercise Program
Kick off the season right with some new smart workout clothes and reboot your exercise routine. Always remember that working out should be something that you look forward to and that you enjoy.
Here are the top ten tips to kill it this year:
1. Schedule A Routine Physical
It may surprise many of you that only about 2 out of every 10 Americans get an annual check-up. Be one of them! While you might feel just fine, it’s important to monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and vitamin deficiencies before planning your workout plan.
2. Buy New Running Shoes
More than likely the shoes you’ve been working out in are tired, worn out and yes no longer that stylish. Treat yourself to a new pair of running shoes or cross training sneakers that are designed for your sport and your unique body movements.
3. Purge Your Pantry
Get rid of the rest of that candy and junk food that you’ve been snacking on and start eating right. Cut down on fatty foods and reduce or eliminate sugar in your diets all together.
4. Protect Your Skin
Exercising outdoors exposes your face, arms, legs and body to the harmful rays of the Sun. Use a waterproof lotion with a SPF protection level of 15 or more to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. And protect those easy to ignore areas behind your ears, the back of your neck and the crease near your underarms.
5. Update Your Wardrobe
Toss out those t-shirts with frayed colors and stained socks that have yellowed. Time to get some new shorts and tops that repel the harsh elements and at the same time keep you cool and comfortable out there. Invest in breathable, wick fabrics that make you look good out there killing it.
6. Stretch It Out Before and After
The best way to prevent injury is to stretch before and after each workouts. Lunges, toe touches, walking your hands forward, swinging your legs while standing and twisting from side to side is just a good idea to get yourself limbered up and to wind down after each workout.
7. Keep Hydrated
Avoid muscle cramping and fatigue by drinking about two liters of water a day, and 17 ounces about two hours before exercising. The more you sweat, the more fluids your body needs to replenish itself. , Hydrate yourself after an intense workout. There are lots of very well designed stainless steel water bottles on the market as well as plastic bottles that are BPA free.
8. Rethink Your Game
Don’t develop an exercise program based purely on weight loss. Concentrate on how you feel. Getting fit should be fun, not a downer. Rethink your diet and exercise program so that it’s not a drag. Design a program that builds in flexibility and set realistic expectations for achieving your fitness goals.
9. Step Off the Scale
Muscle weighs more than fat, so although you may look more toned, there’s a chance you might not be shedding pounds at the rate you’d expect. To get an accurate measure of your progress, use measuring tape once every two weeks to see where you’re trimming inches from your waist, hips, and other target areas.
10. Reward Yourself
Indulge yourself, get pampered with a sports massage. And get some soothing cream to take the pain away while energizing your body and mind.