How to Spring Clean Your Health and Fitness Routine
Baseball players don’t have to be the only ones who benefit from shedding the off-season and getting back into the swing with spring training. Whether you spent the winter season cozied up with Netflix or cooped up inside the gym, spring is the perfect time to shake off monotony, set fresh goals, and take meaningful action for your health, fitness, and vitality. Here’s how:
Tip #1: Start low, slow, and steady. If you’re just getting back into a fitness routine, or starting one for the first time, set yourself up for long-term success by taking it light in the beginning and aiming for consistency (e.g., a 30-minute workout 3-4 days a week). In addition to giving your body (and willpower) time to adapt to your new routine, starting low and slow can also help you avoid getting sidelined by an exercise-induced injury. As your stamina, self-awareness, and fitness levels increase, you can keep adding more time, intensity, and difficulty to your workout routine.
Tip #2: Cross train. Though our bodies are designed for complex, three-dimensional movements, many of us get stuck in repetitive movement patterns that wear down our minds and bodies. With green trees and flowers blooming, spring is a great time to take your workout outside and challenge your body to move in different ways. In addition to refreshing your workouts with movement diversity, cross training can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of overuse injuries, increase your overall fitness, and improve your athletic performance.
Tip #3: Gear up. No matter how you like to move, having the gear you need can help you eliminate excuses and actually pump you up about exercising. Want to start running? Update your shoes. Swimming? Grab a new cap and suit. You don’t have to get the most expensive pieces or invest in a full home gym. Instead, focus on practically supplying yourself with the tools you need to make sticking to your fitness plan straightforward and easy.
Tip #4: Fuel up. How you fuel your body is equally important to how you move it. Getting enough sleep, drinking water, and eating nutrient-dense foods do more than help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight--they actually make you feel good. To give your body and mind what they need to thrive and function optimally, prioritize sleep, hydrate daily, and eat whole foods that make you feel nourished, energized, and ready to go get it.
Tip #5: Above all, enjoy yourself. Moving and fueling your body are essential for your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. To create a lifestyle of healthy living, choose activities that bring you joy, connect you with others, and help you clear your headspace.