Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to get fit? Maybe you want to lose weight, have a better toned body or be more physically active. Regardless of your goal, your exercise plan doesn’t have to be an intense or painful endeavor. Plus exercise provides many health benefits. By following these tips, you can begin a physical fitness program and stick with it.
- Set realistic expectations and have the right attitude. Otherwise you’ll overwhelm yourself. Start slowly. Break your goals into smaller achievable pieces. You can’t expect to run a marathon after training for a few weeks.
- Incorporate cardio workouts and weight-bearing exercises in your program. Cardio workouts improve the function of your heart, lungs and blood vessels. Weight-bearing exercises improve your bones’ health and strengthen your muscles and connective tissues.
- Include more physical activity in your daily routine. Park farther away from your office building or the store and walk more. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk in place while talking on the phone. Clean your house or garage. Shovel snow. In warmer weather, mow the grass or pull weeds. Not only will you burn calories, you’ll also tone your muscles.
- Make it fun. Who says you have to run or go to the gym? Do something you like to do. Take a walk at the park. Dance while watching TV. Go swimming. Walk the dog.
- Exercise with a friend. You’ll keep each other motivated and committed to your plan.
Create a ritual. If you exercise first thing in the morning or right after work, you’ll be more likely to continue.- Track your progress. You can weigh yourself and/or take your measurements. Or just notice if you’re fitting into a smaller size of clothing.
- Find ways to reward yourself – ones that don’t involve food or quitting your exercise program. Get a manicure and pedicure. Buy new clothes. Go on a weekend gateway.
- Be consistent. If you stop exercising for a few days, it’ll be more difficult to start back up.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Exercise can deplete your body of fluid, so keep hydrated. Water also will make you feel fuller.
- Listen to your body. If you’re sick or feel really tired, don’t exercise. Also if you feel faint during or after exercise, or suffer from persistent joint pain after exercising, reduce your activity level. Make sure you get plenty of sleep every day.
- Wear the right shoes for the type of activity. Make sure your shoes fit properly. Refer to our Shoe Fitting Guidelines for more information.
- Foot pain is not normal when exercising. If you have any foot conditions, such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, or Morton’s neuroma, you should consider wearing a custom orthotic like the ezWalker® Performance Insole. The ezWalker® shoe insert is custom designed for each of your feet, ensuring that you get the maximum support for your longitudinal, transverse, and metatarsal arches. Your feet will be guided in a proper biomechanical position – aligning your body from the feet up to give you better balance, stability, and posture with every step you take during the gait cycle.
By following these tips, you’re on your way to better health. An exercise program takes initiative and commitment, but it’s worth the effort. And by wearing ezWalker® Performance Insoles, you’ll never lose a step to foot pain.
For more information on ezWalker® Performance Insoles, visit our website. Order your ezWalkers today for maximum comfort while you exercise. Because … when your feet feel good, you feel good.
