In general, you don’t need to ask a medical professional before beginning physical activity. Almost anyone can start walking and doing some light to moderate exercises quite safely. But some medical conditions might require professional guidance, and if you aren’t sure, ask an expert. It’s also important to know your physical limits and your own body’s sense of what it can do, so follow these tips:
1. Start small
Don’t race out and follow The Biggest Loser’s training routine on your first day. If you are completely out of shape, start with 10 minutes of walking, a minute of stretching, and then five minutes of very light weights. Do this at least three times a week. Progress as you are able and build up from there.
2. Don’t make excuses
It’s okay to blow it off sometimes, but don’t let a bad mood, scheduling conflicts, or outside stresses become excuses not to work out. Remember that moods and emotions are fleeting. Sometimes exercise feels great, and sometimes, you’ll wish you stayed in for another hour because it felt so good. But when tomorrow comes, you want to be able to say, “Today, I was going to go to the gym, but…”
3. Use your home gym
Having an exercise bike, weights, or any other intermediate item makes it much easier to stay motivated because you don’t have to go out to the gym. But don’t forget to use it. If you have a full workout at home, don’t plan to go to the gym that day. You’ll be more likely to skip it.
4. Find the motivation
Use positive talk to keep yourself driven. Tell yourself that even though you might not feel like it today, you are going to enjoy the physical activities that you do. You’ll think of it as a part of your day. And don’t beat yourself up. Do not use negative talk, like, “If I don’t do this, I’ll be fat and out of shape.”
5. Set a realistic goal
Don’t start out expecting to lose 30 pounds in a month. Thinking about the goal at hand, ask yourself, “Do I plan to do this five times a week, for the next three to six months?” If so, great! Write that down as your goal. If you are planning on something more realistic, make it a little less crazy. Having a goal in writing will help you stay motivated and on track much more than a goal you only think about or imagine.
6. Get Professional Help
If you aren’t seeing results after a few months, or you are recovering from an injury or recovering from surgery involving your joints or bones, consult a medical professional. However professional help doesn’t come cheap and so you might have to contract a no credit check loan that will cover the bills. Still, it might be worth it if you want to stay fit and healthy.
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t reach your goals immediately. It takes time, and you might have some setbacks. When you do, just take a deep breath and get back to it. You will see physical and mental changes, they just might not happen right away. Staying on track and not giving up is the most important thing.
Remember, too, that it isn’t necessarily about how much you exercise. Sometimes a quick bit of biking, running, or a few basic exercises will provide just the endorphin boost that you need.
Follow these five simple tips to exercise at home to start getting movement into your daily life in a healthy and sustainable way.
