Exercise Tips

Exercise is really crucial to all aspects of health. If this is news that only disheartens you, the following tips will help you to build exercise into your life at a gradual pace – we want you to enjoy it and keep it up, not just throw yourself at it for a while until you get bored.

Exercise is fundamental for our immune systems, regulation of cholesterol, blood pressure, heart function, mental function, management of stress hormones – to name just a few!

So here are some helpful tips to get you started:

1. Get Moving

Build up at your own pace. Energy makes more energy. Just starting means that you will suddenly find yourself able to do more. Then you can surprise yourself and move outside your “comfort zone”, which is when the real benefits start. You might actually enjoy it!

2. Be Safe

Check with your doctor. Always be safe, especially if you have a heart condition, smoke or tend to be prone to dizziness or fainting. Remember, exercise is also the best thing for your health, so these are not necessarily excuses!

3. Enjoy It

Find something you enjoy. If you’re not a gym person don’t set yourself up for failure by paying for something you won’t use. There are lots of activities that raise your pulse above resting rate, which means you are doing exercise! Try cycling, dancing, swimming, tennis, climbing stairs, badminton, ice skating – just get moving!!

4. Stay Committed

Commit to regular activity. Aim to exercise for twenty minutes to an hour at least three times a week. Do it with a friend or your partner if possible. It should become just a normal part of your life, like watching TV or reading a magazine.

5. Walk It Off

Walking is the best exercise. You are built for it and your circulatory system relies on this movement. It should be regular, in short doses throughout the day, so take the stairs, get off the tube or bus one stop earlier, get a dog, make walking a regular before or after work activity, don’t drive when you could walk – it all adds up.

6. Warm Up

Always stretch before and after exercising. Gentle stretching improves flexibility and mobility. It is crucial to avoiding injuries. It is a great way to warm up your body before exercising and relax your body afterwards.

7. Find Encouragement

Surround yourself with supportive people. Decide what kind of support you need. Do you want them to remind you to exercise? Ask about your progress? Participate with you regularly or occasionally? Talk to people who will give you constant encouragement.

8. Follow The Pro

Enlist the help of a professional. If you join a gym, go for an induction to set you at the right pace with the exercises most suitable for you. Go to classes at your level, so that you can be instructed to make best progress – even pay for lessons, often not as expensive as you’d think!

9. You Can Do It

Stay motivated. Anyone can get bored with anything they do at any time, so it’s always fine to skip the odd class or week, just to keep your interest up. Variety can always counter boredom, so have different options available.

10. Set Goals

Take it seriously! You will get better, be able to enjoy and look forward to exercise more – millions do, so why not you! Set yourself realistic goals. Promise yourself rewards when you achieve them. Write down your progress if it motivates you.

Any content included on this Web Site is intended as a guide only and should not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from either your doctor or a registered specialist for yourself or anyone else. If you are displaying any symptoms or illness that concern you, we recommend you consult a doctor or a registered specialist at the earliest opportunity. No product or service advertised and/or publicised and/or appearing in the OKinHealth is, unless expressly stated to the contrary endorsed by and/or otherwise associated with the OKinHealth.

For more information check out one of our favourite Straight-talking nutritionist Gillian McKeith