Everyone wants to be healthy and stay in good shape, but sometimes it can be a struggle to find the time or energy to exercise. If you’re looking for easy ways to stay in shape, here are five activities you can start doing right away.
Do a Plank Every Day
If you hate the idea of changing your entire diet and fitness routine, why not just add one exercise? Doing one plank every day will work your core as well as your entire body, and you can do it in as little as 30 seconds. As you progress, you can hold your planks for longer and longer, and you can begin with a modified plank and work your way towards the full exercise. Planks help improve your posture, making this a valuable exercise for your overall health. Starting your day with a short plank will leave you feeling revitalized and ready for the day ahead.
Go Swimming
Swimming is an excellent full-body workout, and for many, it doesn’t feel as tedious as hitting the gym. It’s great cardio that also relaxes your mind and increases your flexibility, and you don’t need anything more than a swimsuit and pool access to do it. If you have a pool at home, make sure you have pool fences installed for your family’s safety (as well as your own) and discuss best practices of being around the pool with your children. You can also sign up for a gym membership at a location with its own pool, or just visit the local pond or lake near you. Most people already know how to swim, making this a great exercise to start incorporating into your fitness routine. If you’re uneasy about diving in headfirst (pun intended), you can take adult swimming lessons at a local gym or community pool.
Visit Your Doctor
The best doctors will remind you that you should be seeing your physician on a regular basis. Visiting your primary care doctor annually helps prevent any potential problems, stops current health issues before they become more serious, and improves your relationship with your provider. This relationship gives you and your doctor trust and understanding, which can greatly help you if any medical issues arise. Visit your doctor at least once a year to maintain this relationship and keep yourself healthy. Your doctor can also provide you personalized recommendations on how to stay in shape, which is extremely valuable.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and veggies are always a perfect dietary choice, especially if you dread the idea of a major upheaval in what you eat. These foods provide you with vitamins and minerals, fiber, and variety in your diet. They’re also a much healthier snack than what you’re already eating. This might seem like an obvious way to stay in shape, but many people don’t eat as many fruits and veggies as they should be. Try eating at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal and increase your consumption from there.
Try Yoga
No matter your current fitness level, yoga is a great form of exercise to add to your routine. Yoga helps strengthen every muscle in your body while also increasing your flexibility. The focus on your breathing carries over to other aspects of your life, increasing your overall health and helping you to feel more relaxed and confident daily. Adding a little yoga to your morning or nighttime routine will strengthen your body and your mind.
Staying healthy doesn’t have to involve anything complicated. Start incorporating one of these easy steps and you’ll feel incredible, mentally and physically.
