Fall Focus: Easy Ways to Exercise For Busy People
by Heather Greenwell
As we get older, our ‘free time’ around the holidays lessens. From October through December, our maternal spirit animal transforms into ultimate mom mode. If we aren’t foraging through the trenches of designing Halloween costumes, coordinating holiday meals, shopping for last-minute items, and wrapping presents, are we really operating at maximum output? Often, finding a balance between navigating the busy holiday season and managing our personal needs can be tough. This is why so many of us wait until the new year to start our goals. A survey conducted by Forbes Health and OnePoll revealed that 48% of American adults had a New Year’s resolution to improve their physical fitness in 2024. January is usually the month that kick starts gym memberships and the integration of new lifestyle changes into people’s daily routines. Let’s discuss some activities that can help you tackle your fitness goals before the new year arrives. Getting back to basics Like any well-thought-out plan, we need a starting point. Whether you’re looking to lose a few pounds, maintain your current weight, or just stay healthy, it’s important to identify and establish your fitness goals. This includes identifying physical activities you enjoy. It only takes 21 days to create a new habit. Finding ways to focus on your goal will help you to stay on track over the next few months. There’s a common misconception that fast results require working out five days a week for 30 to 45 minutes. That somehow all of our blood, sweat, and tears will show how committed we are to our goals. If exercising feels like a chore because you’re counting down the minutes, it might be time to reevaluate your workout activities. Finding workouts that are better aligned with you, mentally and physically, boosts those feel-good endorphins. Exercise is, and should be, rewarding. Making time in your day to focus on some form of physical exercise can help our mental health and significantly impact how we manage stress.
Finding the time & place Exercise is about movement, not minutes. If all you have is 15-20 minutes to dedicate to exercising, that’s okay. A brisk walk, light yoga poses, squats, and stretches are great ways to incorporate movement throughout the day. Exercising for your health instead of purely weight loss sets us up for greater success in the long run. One of the best ways to stay focused on your fitness goals is to track them. Whether you’re using a fitness app or a 30-day calendar, being able to see how many days you’ve worked out and for how long is a great source of motivation. Consistency is the key compared to short periods of intense dedication and burnout. It’s important to discern when your body can be pushed and when it needs rest. You can develop a greater sense of connection with your body through exercise and movement. Learning different ways to fit in exercise that you enjoy throughout your day, no matter how big or small, is crucial to helping you achieve your goals.
FALL 2024 | 45
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