The couch can be one of the biggest barriers to the life we want.
After a long day of work, it can feel like heaven. Usually accompanied by your favorite show, it is the place where comfort is a top priority.
What could be so bad about relaxing on the couch?
One study showed that inactivity is as deadly as smoking, putting you at risk for health issues including high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
If you haven’t been to the gym in longer than you’d like to admit, you are not alone.
The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that, “Less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, while only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week.”
While we all know inactivity is bad for you, it can be difficult to find realistic ways to get back on track. Below are three tips to help you leave the couch behind this New Year!
1. Set Realistic Goals
Don’t expect yourself to become an Instagram model or bodybuilder after one month of working out. Your journey will be much more enjoyable if you focus on becoming a healthier version of yourself.
Setting easy to reach short term goals (ex: 1 lb per week) will help to create a positive relationship with fitness. You will feel successful after accomplishing your goal, rather than disappointed you didn’t lose 10 lbs by Friday.
2. Start off Small
Are you putting off getting in shape because you don’t have the time? Let go of the pressure to workout 7 days a week.
In the beginning, getting to the gym a few times is a victory on its own. Identify at least two times per week that you can commit to working out. After developing a routine, you’ll find yourself looking for additional times to go.
3. Make it Fun
If you are dragging yourself to the gym each day, you are much more likely to end up back on the couch. With so many different ways to burn calories, one of them is sure to spark your interest.
Classes are a great way to try something new. Zumba, Spin, Yoga, and Body Pump are just a few examples of how fitness can be so much more than a run on the treadmill.
How do you plan to make it off the couch this New Year? Let us know in the comments below.