? Are you struggling with your weight loss program because of this kind of thinking? Are you almost drained of your last ounces of hope that you will ever get fit?
If you’re just beginning to start your fitness journey, or even if you’re already going but feeling a bit burnt out, then you might be approaching fitness all wrong. Getting fit shouldn’t make you feel like you’re in a boot camp. It should be enjoyable, and that’s where fitness for fun comes into the picture.
A lot of people who are overweight, or have health and fitness issues, may not be suitable for those in-gym workouts that are very rigorous and require a lot of correct technique. In fact the gym is just not an enjoyable experience for some people. Lifestyle, like working in an office setting where you don’t have the opportunity for a lot of physical activity, may have also taken over and quite frankly the hours that are being worked aren’t compatible with long sessions in the gym. The good news is that, there are alternative fitness options readily available.
First off, fitness for fun is an easy way to start getting back in to shape. Just because it’s fun it doesn’t mean that it isn’t working. Alternative fitness activities are far from the dumb bell curls that you normally do at the gym, think pillow fights, sports, rock climbing, hiking and the list goes on and on. I hear you say that doesn’t fitness have to be structured? In my opinion alternative fitness doesn’t have to be structured at all, the further from structured the better, as then it won’t feel like work at all!
How do you get back to that fitness for fun mentality? The best place to start is to just remember your younger days. Was there a sport that you enjoyed playing? Did you love to dance back then? Where you a cheerleader once in your life? Why not go back to those activities. Playing a sport that you once loved can be the furthest thing on your mind if your current fitness status is on the downside. However if you just get started you’ll be amazed at the support you will get and that in itself will help you go in the right direction and on the road again to regaining your fitness and health. You’ll also have that super benefit of burning those calories while you play. Remember just to be patient with yourself as you might struggle at first, but you’ll eventually start to feel that you’re getting better at it and before you know it you’ll be back to your old form and shape. It is never too late to take that first step. You could invite your old buddies to play with you as extra incentive and then it’s even more fun as it’s an excuse for a catch up as well, or you can join a local club if none of your buddies are still playing. There are many age clubs around that welcome players with our without experience. I know that for a fact as I’m now at 40 starting to seriously to consider taking up soccer in the local women’s team for the first time in my life to add some more fun into my fitness program.
There is a buzz in America to get in shape, eat healthy and enjoy your life. The world is trying to turn back the clock when so many people were not overweight and out of shape. The buzz may be about looks and health, but the need is for quality of life. Yes you can get in shape and live a longer healthier life by working out at home. You can lose weight and reduce your risk of major diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many other health challenges that many people face by simply walking every day. The basis of all fitness is physical activity. Walking is the basic form of physical activity. Therefore, we will start our Work Out at Home Series with Walking Fitness.
No matter who you are; young or old, in shape or out of shape, healthy or not, walking can improve your health. Of course your fitness level will dictate your starting point, but it is universally know by health care professionals, fitness specialists and weight loss enthusiasts walking is one of the best ways to improve your health, get in shape and lose weight. It is also the least expensive fitness program available. To walk yourself to fitness, health and weight loss start where you are. That is, start at your fitness level. Start at the pace you can handle. Start at the distance and time commitment that fits your abilities and time constraints. The important thing is that you start. If you can only fit thirty minutes a day and your fitness level does not allow you to go beyond a slow pace then that is where you should start. But wherever you start, start! Then weekly increase the pace, increase the distance and increase your time commitment if at all possible.