Most of us have spent a little more time than usual at home over the last two years. I don’t know about you, but I seriously fell off my trying-to-be-fit bandwagon. Unlike what feels like everyone I know, I didn’t emerge, lockdown after lockdown, feeling the best about myself mentally and physically. But at some point, I had to get up and do something about it. I had spent hours on my couch to the point where I was sure there was a permanent Drishti-shaped dent in it.
The problem with me is that I struggle to find the motivation to work out. But I decided this year is the year I commit to exercising. No more excuses. Come rain or shine, I have to power through this feeling and build a habit. To push you (and myself), I have found the best fitness tips that will change your life. From suggestions on how to stay motivated to using household items for weight training, here is some inside intel that will make hopefully working out a little bit easier and a lot more fun for you.
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Probably the most basic tip of all: Cut yourself some slack. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t make an effort and give up, no. But, if you’re feeling down one day and the only thing you can get yourself to do is a stretching session, do it. Just show up for yourself the best you can and you will appreciate it.
Use household items as weights
If I see one more no-equipment workout on YouTube that somehow magically requires dumbbells 15 minutes into it, I am going to be really, really upset. Many of us don’t own them and if like me, you’re trying to work out at home before committing to the gym, there are tons of things around your house that you can use.
· Instead of dumbbells…use 500 millilitre bottles of water.
· Instead of bench…use a chair for tricep dips.
· Instead of smaller weights…use food cans.
· Instead of a yoga mat…layer on two beach towels and carefully start your workout.
· Instead of a sandbag…use a duffle bag filled with clothes for your workout.
Walk everywhere
I mean everywhere. This tip is especially great for those days when you just don’t have the time to squeeze in a workout. Whether you’re going to your friend’s house or the beach, walk when you can, wherever you can. Yes, it can take a long time but hey, think of it as a low to no-stress training session. Another perk? You can plug in your favourite podcast and get two things done at once!
Ease yourself into a routine
If you find it hard to commit to hitting the gym five days a week all at once, start slow. Begin with three days of walking and then the following week, amp it up to four. Take it up to five days the week after that and then see how you feel. Based on your progress, you can alternate walking with weight training and before you know it, you’ve got a workout plan in place!
Journal about your workouts
Keeping a record of your exercise sessions in front of you serves as solid proof that you have and will repeatedly continue to turn up for yourself. Write down what you did–steps, reps, sets, and all–along with the date. Mention how working out made you feel and one thing from your session that made you feel proud of yourself. It could be 10 extra crunches that you pushed yourself to do or just some time spent deep breathing after your workout. You can look back and see the progress you’re making and learn from it.