Work It Out – The Many Benefits of Being Active
Looking to reduce your stress-levels and lift your mood? Want to lead a happier, healthier and longer life? Well, what if we were to tell you that there’s a simple remedy? You can lower your risk of contracting a chronic disease and improve the way you look and feel, and you can start right now! A little motivation can go a long way so grab your trainers and look lively – it’s time for a work out.
Get Your Heart Pumping with Cardio
Get your heart rate up and increase your blood circulation by moving at speed, a brisk walk, bike ride or swim will do the trick. Cardiovascular exercise releases endorphins which help stave off depression and feelings of anxiety. It’s also brilliant for burning calories, a great way to tone up and slim down.
Go High Intensity – HIIT It.
High intensity interval training (HIIT) allows you to get the most from your work out with short bursts of high intensity exercise. HIIT really helps you to burn calories fast and gives your metabolism a real boost too. Doing HIIT also has a great impact on your body’s ability to transport and use oxygen – which means your capacity to exercise will improve – the result? A fitter, leaner you and the ability to go from strength to strength.
Tone Up – Lift Those Weights.
If you want to improve your shape, tone up and build muscles then lift weights might be for you. Strength training through weight lifting improves bone density and also increases the strength of connective tissue and tendons – decreasing your chance of injury. As you age your lean muscle mass lessens, but lifting weights can help you maintain a fat-free body mass.
Stretch It Out Yoga Style.
It’s not all about trying to stand on one leg – yes yoga improves your balance but it can also increase your flexibility, strength and help you maintain healthy muscle tone and joints. There are mental benefits as well as physical, yoga helps to calm your mind, so if you’re feeling frazzled yoga is a super way to de-stress and clear your mind.
What’s Stopping You?
It’s easy to delay your progress, there are a dozen good excuses why you can’t work out today, you’re too tired, can’t afford to join a fancy gym, too busy, too stressed or you need to buy a new lycra outfit and matching trainers before you can even think about it! The truth is you can always come up with fifty reasons why you can’t, but remind yourself of the reasons why you can and perhaps should. Exercise is the perfect tonic for your mind, body and soul, don’t delay, kick start your new regime now and be on your way to looking and, more importantly, feeling better.