Being "fit" essentially means being able to perform well in a wide variety of physically taxing circumstances. For some people, it also means being able to "fit" into their favorite clothes, while for others, it's just
getting in shape. Either way, if you find yourself running out of breath when doing simple things like walking up a few stairs or playing catch, it's time to improve your physical condition. To get fit, try the following techniques.
1. Develop the right attitude. Being fit is a marathon, not a sprint, and it requires making changes to your entire lifestyle. Don't approach this with the mindset that you can abandon the changes you make as soon as you reach your ideal weight; you will slip into your bad habits very quickly thereafter and regain the weight. Being fit should be incorporating things into your life that you can eventually do by second nature.
2. Incorporate more physical exercise into your daily routine. You're probably out of shape because you don't regularly challenge your body to do anything out of the daily range of motion.
3.
Start an exercise regimen and stick to it. Try running or using the treadmill a set number of days a week, gradually increasing in intensity and/or length of exercise. You could also try purchasing a book that schedule workouts for you, like
Five Factor Fitness. Though you should try to tailor your workouts to your own style as much as possible, the two areas of fitness that everyone should address are strength training and cardio.
4.
Switch things up. Any physical activity that causes at least a
little bit of strain will help you get fit, but it's important to remember that variety is the spice of life. More importantly, as your body gets comfortable performing a certain activity, it learns to do it more efficiently, making it easy for you to plateau in your workouts. Keep both your body and your mind guessing by enjoying a diversity of activities and having fun.
5.
Keep track of your progress and be proud of minor improvements. Don't be discouraged if you stop losing weight or if you have a few setbacks; remember that overall, you've put yourself on an upward trajectory and that's definitely something to be proud of.
6.
Give your body fuel. As you become more active, you'll need more food, but not just any food – you need healthy, energy-laden food that'll jump start the next phase of your day, not weigh it down. Learn
how to eat healthfully and
drink more water.
7. Carry a metal water bottle around with you at all times. You'll be surprised how easy it is to get in your recommended 64-80 oz. of water each day. It's also cheaper than purchasing drinks whenever you get thirsty, and better for the environment
8.
Keep your house stocked with the right food. Purchase the healthy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soups, etc. that you want yourself to eat, and keep the junk out of your cupboards so you won't be tempted. It's not bad to indulge once in awhile, but it's too easy to do so if you keep your house full of unhealthy treats. Instead, the best litmus test for your true desire to indulge is if you're willing to make the trip to the bakery or supermarket to purchase it. (Even better, make that trip on foot or by bike, if possible.
9.Let your body rest. When you're giving your body a run for its money with varied physical activities, you also need to let it recover and renew by getting a sufficient amount of sleep.
Determine how many hours of sleep you need in order to feel refreshed in the morning, then discipline yourself to wake up and go to bed at the same times on a daily basis.
10.
Get a check-up. To stay fit in the long run, you should perform regular maintenance on your body, just as you would with a car. Take yourself to the doctor and dentist regularly to make sure everything is running smoothly on the inside and to prevent any potential problems from arising.
