Goodbye July
We are about to wind down this month and move on to the August Move More, Sit Less challenge. The goal will be to focus on getting off our butt’s and moving in ANY kind of way.
Have you read my post about Dormant Butt Syndrome? If not, you should. It always reminds me to to make it a point to get up more throughout the day.
I work at home, sitting at a desk most of the day so I need to get up and spend more time at my standing desk and moving around. I can do about 10-15 minutes of standing before my leg goes numb so I do what I can. Daily exercise can help us all. We just need to move more and sit less.
Let’s focus on tracking our fitness and workouts in August. Here are some topics we will cover:
- How to get more steps
- How to keep yourself motivated
- Wearable fitness technology & activity trackers
and more!
Before we begin the new challenge here are 5 tips you should know before working out.
5 Tips to Know Before Working Out
Being strong and healthy is a great feeling. However, it’s not easy for everyone. Some people need to make changes in steps like eating a more nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, reducing stress and working out regularly. Once you begin a new workout routine though, you’re going to notice that many of the things I just mentioned take care of themselves. In fact, when you get enough exercise, you are likely to reduce your stress level and you’ll probably have an easier time falling asleep. Plus of course you’ll probably lose weight. But first, here are 5 tips to help you make the most of a new workout routine.
It’s important to see your doctor before starting any new workout program. Not everyone is physically ready to exercise, so talking to your doctor or health care provider first is always advised. People who are normally sedentary may need some medical advice prior to exercising such as how to monitor your heart rate and knowing when you’ve had enough fitness for the day.
Then, choose an exercise that you will actually enjoy doing every day. You don’t have to run a marathon. There are so many different kinds of fun fitness activities such as Zumba, spinning, rebounding (mini trampoline) and more where you’re not only going to have fun but if you go to a gym you get to be with others who are also trying to get fit. How about swimming or walking? You really don’t have to dread exercise. Just do what you love and get moving!
Be realistic with your workout expectations. I have been known to start out full speed then I end up losing steam. Starting small and working your way up is a wise approach, especially for those who haven’t exercised in a long while, or never. Try something like: “I am going to take a 15-30 minute walk 3 times a week” instead of “In a month from now I’m going to run a marathon.” Races like that are not easy, not even for people who regularly run, so instead set yourself up for success. Setting a goal to walk 3 times a week is a great start. Then you can add more exercise in to your week as you get stronger. You’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment when you can add in more fitness.
Next, find a workout buddy to share the experience with. Some people enjoy getting outdoors and spending time alone on their daily walks where they can meditate and feel calm (that’s me). That’s great for stress reduction. However, there’s something special about going out with friends to exercise together. You can challenge each other and become great accountability partners.
Don’t forget to regularly reward yourself as you reach certain goals. Make it fun. Do something fun with your workout and accountability buddies. Rewards don’t need to be a big expensive deal in fact they can be nothing more than a new pair of comfy workout socks or streaming a new fitness program at home. And of course, don’t forget to reward yourself with a new pair of workout pants or a fun fitness tank once you’ve lost enough weight!
Everyone wants to look great and feel strong and healthy. That starts with eating right and getting enough exercise. Start today. Get up and get moving and remember to follow these simple tips before starting your new workout routine.
August Move More Sit Less Challenge
Are you ready to join in on the August Move More, Sit Less challenge? Be sure to sign up on the Monthly Fitness Challenge site and join in on the Facebook group for daily accountability.
My personal goals for August:
As simple as it sounds I just want to move every day. I want to get on the rebounder (mini trampoline), do some Walk Away the Pounds workouts and if I feel up to it hop back on the spin bike. We’ll see about that, don’t want to get too far ahead of myself but I do want to get back into fitness like I used to. And our almost 16 year old granddaughter wants to get in on some home gym workouts after school a few times a week so that will push me to make it happen.
I have been doing pretty well with my food choices the last few weeks and have tried out a bit of intermittent fasting. It’s resulted in just over 7 lbs lost. Now it’s time to add some movement into my day. I sure could use some accountability so hop on over and join the monthly fitness challenge and join us on the Losing It and Loving It Facebook page too. Looking forward to seeing you there!
What are your fitness goals for August?
Leave a Reply