18 Feb 2018

If you want to get fit, just start walking…

Small steps can lead to big changes…

If you want to achieve anything, start simple, but always have little dreams in your life that inspire you to keep learning and achieving regardless of age. It’s never to late to learn something new. I often give out fitness tips, but the basic idea can be applied to any new hobby you want to initiate, whether it be learning to play the piano, or perhaps writing that book.

So where do you start?

As I’ve just said, keep it short and sweet. For the next three weeks or so try and find time to do about 25 minutes of exercise 2 or 3 times a week. I’m only asking for 25 minutes, sounds easy doesn’t it?!

Week 1: Just go out and walk. Enjoy it. It’s your time. You’re not mum or dad in this 25 minute walk. You’re not the employee of some multi-international company. For these 25 minutes you escape all of that and become YOU again. If you fancy, listen to some music, just try to use this time as a moment to disconnect from the daily / weekly mayhem. Unwind with each step you take. There should be no stress in your gait. Just positive, assured steps.

Did you know that regular exercise:

Modifies you’re nervous system so that you experience a decrease in anger and hostility (burn calories and build muscle whilst boosting your mood).
Going for a walk can spark creativity.
Regular walking can help improve you’re body’s response to insulin, which can help reduce belly fat. It reduces your blood sugar level and lowers the risk of chronic disease.
You’ll keep your legs looking great.
Greatly improves gastric mobility.
Your other goals will start to seem more reachable.

Have I convinced you yet? And you get all the above for FREE – Bargain!

Week 2: Include a bit of jogging in your walk. Walk for 4 minutes and jog for 1 minute. Repeat 4 times. Finish with a 5 minute stretch.

Week 3: Include a bit more jogging (more!! I hear you say. If you do it right, believe me you’ll be wanting more). Do 3 minutes walk, 1 minute jog / 2 minutes walk, 1 minute jog / 1 minute walk, 1 minute jog x 2. Finish with a 5 minute stretch

If you don’t feel comfortable jogging, keep to walking, perhaps do 4 minutes normal pace and for 1 minute try and walk a little faster, so that there is a change of pace in the actual walk.
If you’re already quite fit and the above is a bit easy for you, turn the walk time into run time and the run time into walk time. This will make it more intense for those who already do regular exercise.

*Very Important: Always remember to go for a medical check-up before starting any exercise regimen and if during exercise you feel pain of any kind stop immediately.

I’ve included three simple stretches that you can do when you get home after your walk / run. But there are loads of great stretching videos on the internet that you can look up which are easy to follow, like: Easy Stretches for Beginners

Let me know how you get on…