Kicking Off the New Year With a New Routine
Every year, getting fit and losing weight top many people New Year’s resolutions list. While gym memberships and classes are great, they don’t always fit everyone’s budget. That’s why walking and jogging are terrific for losing weight – and they don’t cost a thing.
We’ve previously written about running routes, turning the local parks into a gym for your children (and you) and some of the best running websites, but what if you’re new to a regular fitness routine?
Well, first commit to exercising at least three times a week for 20 minutes at a time. As your skill increases, you also can increase your activity to 30 or 40 minutes.
Second, take a look at your schedule and figure out when you can exercise – and be realistic. If you’re absolutely not a morning person, don’t plan on getting up at 5 a.m. to work out. It’s likely you’ll never make it out of bed. If your week is jam-packed, plan to work out on the weekends and then fit in one or two weekday workouts.
Third, be accountable to someone. This may be your doctor, a friend or your spouse. Knowing someone else is monitoring your progress is a great way to stay motivated.
Check out this website from Fitness.gov for more information on starting a fitness program and keeping on track.