Beginning a Fitness Routine
Fitness fun, exciting and essencial;get started now!
Move out of the ranks of the idle and begin a fitness routine. It's not as hard as you might think. With proper preparation it's a smooth transition from idle to action.
What, When, Where, How
When I first started my fitness routine 30 years ago, I was a teenager looking to get bigger and stronger. I started at home but soon decided that for what I wanted to do I would need more equipment than I could afford, so I joined a gym and started going 2 to 3 times each week. I had responsibilities but still found time. As I got older I found myself with more responsibilities and less time. I worked my training into my schedule without neglecting responsibilities by scheduling time to train. It started with a few days per week and after a while I was hooked. Yes there were days that I wasn't feeling it and days that something more pressing had to be handled but all in all I maintained. To this day, I actually get there more frequently.
The American Heart Association states, "if you're inactive, doing anything is better than nothing! Studies show that people who have a low fitness level are much more likely to die early than people who have achieved even a moderate level of fitness." Before you begin ask yourself what, why, when and where?
What can drive you to beginning a fitness routine, improved health, body composition, appearance, quality of life. It's very important that you find a reason to begin, one that will keep you motivated. Most people want to start, they just feel there's no time in their schedule for improving their health. Pick a time in your schedule that won't disrupt your other responsibilities. Before work is a good time for early birds to exercise, maybe you're not a morning person, how about lunchtime or after work, for a stress busting bout of physical activity.
A fitness routine doesn't have to be complicated to be effective, in fact initially it's best to keep it simple. Walking, running, swimming, weight lifting; physical activities come in many flavors, what's your favorite flavor? After you decide, treat yourself to some fresh gear appropriate for your chosen activity. This will help keep you motivated. Next decide where it is you'll be exercising - the gym, the park, the pool on your bike or at home. It doesn't really matter where as long as you do it.
