Published on: 25-May-2023
Having an active lifestyle is a great way to get and stay fit, but getting into the habit of exercising regularly isn’t always easy. A lot of people struggle to find time to exercise, and the reason behind that varies. Some people have busy schedules, while others don’t have the motivation to start a new exercise habit because they’re afraid of being judged or because they think they won’t be able to commit to it.
It’s true that shifting to an active lifestyle is hard, especially when it doesn’t come naturally to you. Perhaps it’s also been a while since you were last physically active, and you doubt your own abilities or commitment. But overcoming the barriers preventing you from taking that first step will have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being. Once you build up to the habit of exercising a little more—as well as get enough sleep and observe a healthy and nourishing diet—leading an active lifestyle won’t be as impossible as it initially seemed.
From creating a good workout plan to purchasing clothing essentials like socks for women, here are five things that you can do to slowly transition into a more active lifestyle:
Set Practical Goals and Expectations
Whether you’re new to the fitness life or trying to get back into your old fitness routine, it’s always a good idea to set realistic goals and expectations for yourself. Remember, it takes time and consistency to build a habit, and having practical goals will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.
Having realistic expectations will also help you see your goals as more achievable because you’re basing the results of your progress on a more believable timeline. What’s more, being practical with your exercise goals and expectations will help you cultivate a positive mindset, since you’re allowing yourself to ease into your new lifestyle at your own pace.
Stretching every morning, going to the gym a couple of times a week, and taking a short bike ride every weekend are just some examples of simple exercise goals. When these are done consistently, you’ll notice your body responding well to your fitness routine and you’ll see the results you want.
Start with Light Exercises and Work Your Way Up Gradually
One thing you have to remember when creating an exercise plan is that doing intense exercises right from the get-go doesn’t mean that you’ll get quicker and better results. Even though high-intensity exercises will push you to your limits, beginning your routine with a high-intensity workout all the time will make it difficult for your body to adapt to your lifestyle change.
This is because your body isn’t used to being introduced to high amounts of stress that quickly, which will put you at a higher risk of incurring muscle pain or an injury. Going for difficult workouts from the very beginning can also cause you to lose your motivation, simply for the fact that they’ll be overly strenuous on your mind and body.
Don’t be ashamed to start slow, as the journey to getting more fit isn’t a race. Incorporate light exercises into your fitness routine so that your body will have an easier time adjusting to the changes, and you’ll develop a healthy and sustainable exercise habit.
Light and simple exercises like jumping jacks, squats, and lunges are also easier to squeeze into a busy workday. Try to do a small combination of these during your lunch break or even after your workday ends. Over time, you’ll be able to increase your strength and stamina and gradually work your way up towards more challenging exercises. Take your time getting there and focus on getting used to light exercise first.
Wear Activewear When Exercising
Not everyone enjoys exercise because it typically entails a lot of movement, sweating, and heavy breathing. These are all a normal part of working out, and they’re signs that your body is being conditioned to your new lifestyle. All the same, the discomfort you feel while working out may get in the way of actually liking the habit.
An excellent way to make your workout routine a little more pleasant is to wear activewear that you like. Wearing the right workout outfit won’t only improve your comfort levels while exercising, but it can also facilitate your body’s cooling process, prevent injury, and protect you from the elements as well.
A nice workout outfit will also put you in the right headspace when you’re exercising because you’ll look good and feel good while doing so. Invest in high-quality clothing that you’ll like wearing often, such as cotton activewear leggings and sporty crew socks.
Get Enough Good-Quality Sleep
Good sleep is crucial if you want to sustain a more active lifestyle. Having enough deep and restful sleep will give your body time to recover and rebuild your muscles. It will also keep your body energized for more workouts in the succeeding days.
It’s recommended that all adults get between eight and nine hours of sleep every night. If you’re having trouble meeting that healthy sleep quota, here are a few things you can try:
- Go to bed five minutes earlier every night.
- Enact a night time routine to ready your mind and body for sleep, which can include taking a warm bath or listening to calming music.
- Wear high-quality sleepwear for added comfort.
- Limit your screen time before bed.
Build a Positive Attitude Towards Exercise
Your attitude towards exercise and clearing your fitness goals can affect your entire workout routine. If you keep making excuses or telling yourself that exercising doesn’t work, you’ll have difficulty moving forward.
Working out is hard, and it will require you to sacrifice a small portion of your day to complete it. It may also be difficult to enact supplementary lifestyle changes, like following a more nutritious diet and making sure you get enough sleep every night. But if you have a more positive outlook on getting fit, you’ll be happier and healthier in the long run.
Try to focus on the good things that will come out of having an active lifestyle as opposed to thinking about your failures or punishing yourself for making mistakes. Cheer yourself on when you reach your goals, even if they take time to complete, and take every day as a new opportunity to try again if you feel like you’ve fallen behind.
Your personal fitness should be a long-term goal to aspire towards, rather than a short-term project with an inflexible deadline. There’s no doubt that it will be challenging at first to develop healthier habits, but it will work out if you ease yourself into it, do what’s best for your body, and look at the prospect of leading a more active lifestyle with a positive and self-assuring mindset.
