“Physical fitness” is defined as a state of health and well-being that is generally achieved through proper nutrition, moderate to vigorous physical exercise, and sufficient rest.
It seems cliché, but regular exercise/physical activity truly is imperative to your overall health and well-being. Though in the rush of life, we tend to watch tv, the news or check social media with any free time we have, causing most of us to be less active. In fact, according to the CDC only 23.2% of Americans met the recommendations for weekly physical activity, which amount to 75-150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) of exercise a week depending on the level of intensity. 75-150 minutes, sounds doable right? It certainly is, with setting the intention to do so. CDC (2018)
In addition, the physical and the mental benefits of exercising are huge! More energy, better sleep, a more positive outlook, reduced risk of depression, less anxiety and the list goes on. Help Guide (2018)
A note from Synchronous Health Specialist, Brian Gregory, LMFT, “Physical fitness is connected to our emotional health in many obvious and not so obvious ways. Often when we get overwhelmed and stressed, exercise is one of the easiest things to forget to do. Make time to be active, even if it’s shorter walks. Hold yourself accountable and ask someone else to as well. The physical as well as mental benefits are worth it.”
Here are some tips that can help with your physical fitness:
Start Small. Start small with a short walk, run, or random exercise you can do wherever you are. Block out time on your schedule and make yourself a priority. It does not have to be an interruption but can fit into the flow of your day.
Set Goals. After starting small, consider some goals you can put into place. Achieving both short-term and long-term goals will make you feel great and can make a significant difference to your confidence. You can do it!
Stay at it. It’s incredibly easy to lose motivation, and as Bryan mentions above, being intentional and holding yourself accountable is key to the process. Find ways to remind yourself throughout the day to exercise. Consider enlisting the help of a friend or workout partner to help you stay committed to it.
If you’re feeling like you could use some additional support, our team is ready to serve you. To learn more and register, call 844-242-3364.
