In this post I want to talk about exercising and keeping fit.
To be honest, this is a difficult one for me, as I’m a bit of a hermit as I’ve mentioned before.
Things have changed since I originally published this post a few years ago.
I do a bit more walking now and I have three pet cats that keep me busy and “getting my cardio in” throughout the day.
(here’s a picture of my “self-care” enforcers, aren’t they cute?)
Let’s get into it now with some questions we might all have asked at some point when told by our doctor or our friends and family that we “should do more exercise”….
So, what does keeping fit actually mean?
Keeping fit means keeping active and improving your fitness. You don’t have to go to extreme measures to keep fit.
Fitness is personal to everyone and what works for one person might not necessarily work for another.
One of the hardest things to do is staying motivated and staying motivated is part of keeping fit.
Whether that be going to yoga once a week or the gym every other day.
Do I have to be in a gym every day for an hour to achieve physical fitness and wellbeing?
Absolutely not!!
Some of the most effective exercises involve using your body only and can be done in less than an hour. You most definitely don’t need a gym to do that in.
Exercise is so good for the body but it’s only good for the body if it benefits your goals. You don’t need to slave away every day to reap the benefits.
Exercise should be enjoyable and you’ll have great results if your form is correct and the exercise is performed correctly.
Remember quality over quantity.
That’s not to say training every day is bad, it’s always good to mix it up and do some cardio, strength, mobility to help keep your body mobile and strong.
How does keeping fit affect my mental health?
It’s in so many studies: when we exercise endorphins are released which makes us feel good.
Exercise can help you manage anxiety, depression, and other issues better.
Exercise is so wonderful for so many reasons and one of those reasons is helping you feel in control.
Some top tips for people that might find exercising a bit difficult to schedule into their daily lives
When we enjoy something we find the time to do it. If you can’t find the time then you haven’t found the right exercise for you.
Don’t pick an exercise that others like – find something that meets your needs, that you enjoy.
Pick the right environment that you will feel comfortable in. Invest time in finding what makes you feel good.
We are all able to schedule stuff in if we really want to.
Keep looking for that perfect exercise for you and you wont look back.
How does diet enter into this?
Diet is extremely important; however balance is important!
Life is for living and we should all have a treat.
If you have specific goals to look a certain way or enter a competition then diet is the most important thing because you can’t out-train a bad diet.
But if you want to enjoy food and exercise without be strict then eating healthy most of the time and having a treat is absolutely something I recommend.
The human body is amazing, you only get one. We should be doing all we can to keep it healthy happy and balanced.
If you’d like to learn more, I’ve written a book called 20 Self-Care Habits, which is all about empowering you to set clear boundaries and meet your needs. In-depth self-care. Check it out here.
You can also get the free introduction – and chapter 1 of my novel here.
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