2024-01-06T13:49:50+00:00
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/ Exercising is important, and studies have shown that regular movement contributes to prolonging life, makes people happier, and fights diseases.
But during the year 2024, you can realistically include exercises in your usual daily routine, and try to stick to that, and for this year to be different, you must follow these simple and practical steps, regardless of whether you are a gym enthusiast, or a beginner in fitness. .
1. A walk in the park
Yes, getting started with fitness this year can be as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.
Walking can help fight diseases and health conditions more than anything else.
Studies have also shown that this activity may boost mood, improve memory, and reduce stress.
The good thing is that walking does not require equipment, a gym membership, or any necessary experience.
According to Evan Matthews, an assistant professor of exercise science and physical education at Montclair State University in New Jersey, walking is familiar to many of us. It is not intimidating, and does not require as much education to master as other physical activities.
There are ways to step up your walking game once you’ve incorporated walking into your routine and are ready to build on it.
2. Maximize your to-do list
You don’t have to change your entire life to change your fitness level.
Chores that are already on your to-do list, like gardening, hauling decorative boxes into storage, or spring cleaning your house, could be part of your plan to get fitter in 2024.
CNN Fitness Contributor Dana Santas previously pointed out in an article that you can also burn more calories in one hour by raking leaves than with a brisk walk or weight training session.
Santas advised that to get the most fitness from your to-do list, be sure to warm up, make household chores manageable to avoid injury, alter your body position by exerting maximum effort, drink regularly, and maintain good fitness.
She added that good posture means bending your knees and using your legs as the main source of strength when lifting, and maintaining balance and stability by maintaining a position close to the hip, and rotating from the middle of your back to avoid stress.
Even routines that don’t feel particularly active can be part of your fitness resolution.
3. Make friends at the gym
You may feel like you’ve gotten off to a good start with your daily fitness routine, and are ready to step up your game with more serious strength training.
But the gym may instill fear in people.
One way to get more serious is to start doing strength training exercises at home.
Santas recommends using your own body weight at home to get a high-quality workout that includes strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination, in addition to exercises like push-ups, squats, planks, and sit-ups.
A broom, water bottle, towel, chair and full backpack may also help mimic the gym experience at home, she said.
Or you can overcome your fears by making the gym a more fun place.
Going with friends or taking classes may help you feel some direction and support.
Strength-building habits work best when they can be controlled, so don’t pressure yourself and go slowly.
After you’re done, it’s important to stretch, rest, hydrate and feed him, according to Santa.
4. Create a plan that suits your fitness
Not all workout plans are the same, you want one that matches your goals and preferences.
Take CNN’s interactive fitness quiz to match the exercise style that’s right for you.
Results depend on factors such as where, how and who you want to exercise with, and offers ways to get started.
5. Stay connected
A study conducted in December 2021 found that a sense of responsibility to continue exercising and a sense of belonging to a community are among the most important ways to increase exercise sustainably.
Scheduling exercise in advance at regular intervals, or finding a way to fit in with friends can help you keep up, according to a previous CNN article.