New Year - New You
7 fitness resolutions that are easy to keep
Resolutions to get in shape , exercise more and eat healthier foods are popular each January . Optimism reigns when making resolutions , but for many , the difficulty lies in keeping them . Individuals looking to get healthier in the year ahead can try these strategies to stay the course .
• Wake up earlier . Waking up a half hour earlier each day can have a substantial impact . That small amount of extra time can be devoted to meditation , deep breathing exercises or even some yoga stretches .
• Move around more frequently . Many people with office jobs spend hours sitting in front of computers . A sedentary lifestyle can have an adverse effect on overall health . Set a timer or use a reminder on a fitness tracker to remind you to get up and move around for a little bit every hour .
• Eat more vegetables . Vague goals like “ eating better ” are difficult to maintain because there is no specific goal to achieve . Rather , a resolution like eating a fruit or vegetable each day at every meal is something measurable . Vegetables can be hidden in favorite foods , such as desserts . Swap pasta noodles for spiralized zucchini as another easy fix .
• Stand straighter . Posture tends to decline with age , advises AARP . This can cause the spine to lose flexibility . Stretches to maintain posture can help anyone stand straighter and improve long-term health .
• Add “ bursts ” to your walk . Researchers at the Mayo Clinic tout the benefits of interval training . While high-impact workouts may not be appropriate for everyone , adding little speed bursts to a daily walk can provide significant health benefits . Aim for 30 to 60 seconds of rapid walking at regular intervals to shake up the workout .
• Drink more water . Increasing water intake can help you feel fuller , thus reducing the likelihood that you will overeat . Gradually increase your water intake by adding a few ounces each day until drinking water becomes rote .
• Take a workout outside . Switch up your normal routine by making use of the great outdoors to exercise . Instead of three miles on the treadmill or elliptical machine at the gym , opt for three miles on a local hiking trail .
Healthy resolutions are easier to keep when you have firm ideas and choose reasonable goals .
WINTER 2023 Greenville Life 29