Are you interested in changing your lifestyle to make it more active? If you’ve always been more of a couch potato than a weekend warrior, it can be hard to get motivated to move more. However, there are plenty of ways to ease into a more active lifestyle, and some of them even allow you to keep doing the same favorite activities you’d do from your couch.
Indoor Machines
If you have a lot of sporty friends, they’re probably always touting the benefits of the outdoors to you, but let’s face it: the drawbacks include things like heat, cold and bugs. If you don’t love the outdoors and you aren’t a fan of exercise classes and really all you want to do is keep watching your favorite streaming comedy or drama, you can have your cake and eat it too. Stationary exercise bikes and treadmills allow you to watch whatever you like or even read while you move. You might be surprised at how easily the miles slip away when you’re distracted.
Starting Small
Maybe you actually love the idea of being the kind of person who heads out happily for a 10-mile run or a 50-mile bike ride but you’re intimidated by the idea of getting started. Those first steps can be the hardest, but starting small doesn’t just make it easier for you. It’s actually the key to success. If you try to do too much, you’ll quickly get discouraged, but taking a short walk on your lunch break or making an effort to get more active with your kids are easy ways to slowly make activity a more regular part of your life.
You might also look at ways to ensure that physical activity is enjoyable and comfortable for you. If you want to get into hiking, you don’t have to sleep in a tent every night. You can take day hikes and still sleep in your own bed every night. If the thought of cycling up big hills or on hot days intimidates you, you may want to consider an eBike. These battery-operated bikes essentially let you put in the amount of effort you feel comfortable with. If you do choose cycling, make safety a priority and wear a helmet. This can save your life if you are in accident.
An Active Desk
If you spend a lot of time working at a desk, this is actually a prime opportunity to get some movement in throughout the day. Sitting on an exercise ball instead of in a chair can help you strengthen your core while a treadmill desk lets you pedal while you work. You can even try out a standing desk.
Join a Group
A great way to get motivated to make a change in your lifestyle is by joining a group, either virtually or in person. On social media, you’ll find many different options based on activity, age or other factors. This can be especially helpful if you don’t have friends or family members who have particularly active lifestyles.
