Small habits add up. When getting started or re-started on your fitness journey, it’s essential that we start small because, over time, those small steps will add up to make BIG changes!
So, here are the top 3 things I want you to start incorporating into your routine and your life today, this week and this month; you’ll be amazed at what a difference they will make.
Make movement a part of your daily routine- 10 minutes is enough!
Movement is medicine. Whether you’re feeling stressed from a big day at work, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed with a big ‘to-do’ list, just know that movement will help you overcome these feelings. The best part is you only need 10 minutes to get started.
Try going for a walk around your office or your area for 10 minutes before work or during your lunch break. You may even up 10 minutes earlier to have time to stretch & do an online group fitness class. The reason for 10 minutes is that sometimes, putting a bigger number on a ‘workout’ such as 45 minutes or 60 minutes can be overwhelming. However, what I find with a lot of my community members is that once thy get to that 10-minute point, they’re having so much fun & feeling so good they don’t want to stop. If you do want to stop though, that’s ok. Aim to do 1 minute extra tomorrow & slowly progress this way.
Know that any movement you do in your day will not only benefit your body physically, but your mental clarity will be so much greater too.
Get up earlier to (and go to bed earlier!)
Now, this is probably something that could seem a bit daunting, but hear me out. Getting up earlier, gives you the ability to fit more in your day and find time for movement.
One of the most common excuses I hear from people as a reason why they cannot fit movement into their day is because ‘I just don’t have enough time’. I understand everyone is busy- we lead a very hectic life as a society. But, think, if you’re able to get up that 30 minutes earlier, that’s 30 extra minutes you have to move- to walk, to do a group fitness class, to play tennis, to do whatever you love first thing in the morning! It set’s up your day, it gives you mental clarity, it floods your body with endorphins and best of all? Your workout is done before the rest of the world is awake (it’s also a really great sense of achievement you’ll get from getting it done!).
Going to bed earlier of course is essential here. Be sure you’re getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night to allow your body to rest, recharge and restore.
Follow what feels like fun & do it!
Remember when you were a child and you moved your body without even realising you were exercising? You’d run around chasing your siblings & cousins, put on dance performances for your parents and play ‘tag’ until all hours of the day (or maybe it was just me?).
Your goal, is to find a form of movement that to you, feels effortless, fun and makes you loose track of time, just like you did when you were a child.
For me, this is when I’m teaching or doing a group fitness class. Retro-robics my 80’s themed aerobics class I teach literally is the epitome of what little me loved to do. I loved dancing, performing and dressing up in colourful, retro outfits. Think to yourself, what did I used to do as a child that made movement fun? Some ideas for you may be a group fitness class, it may be walking your dog, going for a run, doing a strength session at the gym, playing a game of squash with your friends or doing a dance class. Whatever it is, find it, do it and take the pressure off yourself to have the ‘perfect’ workout routine.
So, with all of this said, remember that movement & fitness should be and is FUN & a pleasure to do. Find what you love, do it often and before you know it, you’ll be moving more and more everyday. The more you do it, the better you’ll feel, the better your quality of life and importantly, the more limitless you will feel at work and in life.
About the Author
Corinne Blight is the Founder of live and online group fitness community, Limitless Fitness & Nutrition, focusing on making fitness & nutrition energetic, uplifting & fun for women new to or re-starting their fitness journey. As well as being a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Nutrition Coach & Pilates Instructor, Corinne is also a Corporate Wellness Presenter and has worked with organisations including Paramount Pictures, Western Sydney University, Elekta and Nickelodeon/ MTV to make fitness & health accessible to the corporate sector. Corinne was recently awarded the Western Sydney Women Start Up of the Year 2020 award as well as being a semi-finalist for the 7News Young Achievers Small Business Award 2021.
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