Social media has taken over the internet and with this emergence we are witnessing a revolution when it comes to getting active and Healthy. It wasn’t too long ago that simply lifting weights was enough to be healthy, however the internet has given us more than enough information to re-tool our workouts. Fitness crazes such as “planking, “the FitBit challenge,” and even the “running man challenge” have become viral hits, essentially taking over social media and promoting a healthy life. If you’re looking to get fit and active, it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to start. Making minor changes to your lifestyle is the gateway to living a healthy and active life. Today we present six initial steps to becoming healthy.

Start Small

No one is capable of running a marathon in one day without any sort of physical training. If you live a sedentary lifestyle, don’t try to overdo things by running ten miles on your first day of exercise. It’s better to walk just 500 meters than walk nothing at all. Start slow, even if it’s taking the stairs to work as opposed to the elevator; every little bit counts. You will not get to your fitness goals overnight therefore it’s best to see how your body feels and re-assess your goals as you become more active.

Abandon the Bad Habits

This one may be a bit more challenging, but in order to become healthier, you will need to cut out the bad habits. If you have a can of coke a day, then perhaps make the decision to only have one can of coke per week. If you are a smoker, it’s highly unlikely that you could cut it out cold turkey, but cutting back is the first step to becoming healthy. Everyone has unhealthy obsessions such as cake, chocolate, or candy and the initial step to getting healthy is to reduce the bad foods and increase the healthy foods.

Find a Community

Earlier in this post I mentioned how viral hits such as “planking” once took over social media, but the common theme in these crazes was the fact that it made everyone feel as if they belonged to a community. If you’re trying to become healthy, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are thousands of other people who have the same goals as yourself. Look in your local community or join forums, groups, or find a workout buddy. Feeling that sense of belonging to a group will make your goals more attainable through positive reinforcement.

Research

If you’ve made the decision to become more healthier then it’s best to research topics pertaining to health and wellness before you get active. For example, if Yoga peaks your interest then perhaps search Yoga tutorials on YouTube and become familiar with the movement and breathing techniques. Research attainable fitness goals for beginners and explore different fitness routines. Perhaps Kettlebells will be your favorite exercise or you may go the more extreme route and opt for CrossFit; whatever the case may be, it’s best to research different elements of the exercises.

Remember the Basics

If you’ve made the decision to live a healthy, active life then it’s important to remember the basics. Think back to all the lessons you were taught during your 5th grade gym class. Remember to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, eat balanced meals with foods from each of the food groups, and take long, deep breaths. The basics may seem obvious, but we tend to forget certain elements like the importance of proper sleep on a daily basis.

Challenge Yourself

Another common theme we’ve witnessed with the emergence of viral fitness trends is that they are built around challenges. Living a healthy and active lifestyle is a challenge in itself, but remember to challenge yourself as well. Set daily and weekly goals for yourself and do your best to achieve the best results possible. It’s perfectly fine to challenge yourself as this is a great motivational tool.

If you’d like more tips on living a healthy life or would like to seek treatment for managing pain, rehabilitating injuries, or increasing your endurance, please call (416) 431-4000 or visit a HealthMax Physiotherapy Clinic near you. Remember, consultations are free and experienced healthcare professionals will get you on the healthy path!

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