Hi everyone! It’s Michael Gortenburg here.
Exercise is undoubtedly vital to staying healthy, but it’s easy for busy people to let it fall by the wayside. According to the CDC, only 28 percent of Americans exercise as often as they should. I know it’s not just a matter of telling you to make time for it, so here are some tips on how to exercise more often:
Exercise with a friend
It’s much easier to feel motivated to exercise when someone else is there to hold you accountable. Unlike an exercise class full of strangers, you’ll feel more comfortable expressing your limits at the gym or while working out outdoors. It’s also a chance to catch up with your friend more consistently.
Sign up for a class
If you’re like me, you are more inclined to participate after signing up for a class. Cancellation fees can be an excellent motivator for getting out the door and going to class. There are plenty of options for you to find, from spin classes to Zumba to rowing. No matter where you are in your fitness journey, there’s sure to be a class that fits your comfort level.
Find something you want to do
Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. There are plenty of serotonin-producing activities that are fun and healthy. If you like to dance, there are plenty of classes and free tutorials on Youtube you can use as a starting point in your fitness journey. If you have mobility issues and find exercise painful, consider a swim aerobics class. Even just a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood is great for getting outside and raising your heartrate.
Don’t push too hard too fast
Everyone has to start somewhere. It can be easy to get fixated on your long-term health goals and forget the smaller steps it takes to reach them. If it’s been a while since you exercised regularly, start slow. You might be tempted to go hard right from the start, but whatever exercise you’re doing should be part of a lifelong commitment to staying active, and it’s much harder to do that if you burn out early.
Exercise is a great lifelong habit, but it can be challenging to maintain when forcing yourself to do something you don’t enjoy. I hope these tips help you figure out where to add exercise to your routine.
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Michael Gortenburg, Founding Principal of Eighteen Capital Group (18CG) in Kansas City, Missouri.
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Michael Gortenburg 