Finding Your Fit in the Fitness World

Staying in shape, feeling fit, and being the best version of yourself is something that many people put quite a high value on, and something that many more should make more of a priority for the sake of their overall health and longevity. It has been estimated that less than 5% of adults take part in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. And that fact is particularly concerning within the United States, where the number of people struggling with obesity climbs every day.

Get up and get moving, for your own sake
Some people may not realize the severity of the danger of a sedentary lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, has claimed that a shocking 75% of money spent on healthcare is spent on treating chronic diseases that are entirely preventable and often related to diet, which ties in closely with exercise and a healthy fitness level. There have been plenty of studies conducted that show a strong correlation between regular physical activity and a lower risk of multiple cardiovascular health problems. And when a sadly low number of adults, only 20%, satisfy the minimum guidelines for the CDC’s outline of physical activity for both aerobic activities and muscle building exercises.

Find your fit and stick to it
Though the numbers may be discouraging, the good news is that you possess the power to turn things around. Motivation can be a tricky and often elusive beast, but if you keep your overall health in mind, and the fact that being fit could mean a longer, more enjoyable life, you will be able to dig in to do the necessary work. The first thing you will want to do is to put together a good workout plan. You can check out the top fitness programs online or at your local gym, and it may take time to find that perfect fitness plan, but it will be worth it in the end when you find the program that keeps you going.

Keeping it simple or jazzing it up with a PiYo workout
Finding your fitness style can be an adventure in finding out what you are capable of mentally and physically. And part of that adventure is exploring all of the various types of workouts available. Whatever you decide, make sure that it is a good fit for your body and your lifestyle.

Fitness options worth considering
• Running
  Visit a running store where the employees are runners themselves so that they can get you into the right pair of shoes. Running shoes are like a car’s tires: you won’t get far with the wrong ones. Start slowly and with shorter distances, and work up to longer or faster workouts.
• Dancing
  Dance has become quite the popular form of aerobic exercise, popping up in the form of local classes and online videos and DVD sets available everywhere. For the individual who is afraid of getting bored with traditional exercise, adding upbeat music and a group atmosphere of fun and expression, dancing away unhealthy habits can become the highlight of your day.
• Swimming
  Finding a pool or nearby lake to splash your way back to a healthy lifestyle can be ideal on a number of levels. There is of course the refreshing factor, while other activities may have you feeling like you’ll overheat, getting your workout done in the water helps to keep things cool. Swimming is also a good, low impact activity for those with more sensitive joints or those prone to injury from higher impact activities.
• PiYo Workouts or other combination exercises
  A PiYo workout takes elements of both Pilates and yoga to firm and tone muscles. Finding a combination of different activities that you like can help keep things fun. It doesn’t have to be a PiYo workout, play with combining other activities as well!

• Mixing it up
  If you just seem to be too busy, as many of us often are, try doing activities that are shorter in length at different points throughout the day, like a few short walks, or a quick ab workout. As long as you’re doing something, you’re working toward your goal!

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