7 steps to a better body

Exercise is an imperative factor for achieving and maintaining good health, having a regular exercise routine is important to help maintain a certain level of health and motivation. As I’m sure you’ll know getting into a routine of doing exercise is easier said than done, but with the knowledge in place, we can help you make it a little easier to get into a routine. Knowing their expertise and passion for health, we’ve worked with Parkhotel Igls to put together seven vital steps for you to take to ensure a healthier lifestyle.

1. Understand what you are doing and set yourself goals

First of all you should set yourself realistic goals and understand the positive effects of regular exercise. Above all, this includes an understanding of how you can boost your cardiovascular system, strengthen your muscles, reduce fat and vastly improve your immune system. The benefits are endless when it comes to exercise and even just doing a little research on what you can achieve should help give you the motivation you need to keep trying.

2. Variety is key 

The musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems benefit most if you continuously adjust the intensity, amount, and type of exercise you do. The more variety you introduce the less likely you are to get bored with your exercise regime. Spending some days exercising in the gym, others outside and some inside the house is a great way to keep your routine fresh. Exploring new areas can give you another reason and also more motivation to exercise, whether it’s climbing a mountain, or simply taking a walk through a park you haven’t yet been to, variety is the key.

3. A broad variety of activities

A healthy body needs well-balanced exercise training strength, the cardiovascular system, coordination, agility and mental energy. By exercising in different ways, outside as well as indoors, you will always find activities giving you pleasure – regardless of the weather. At home exercising can help keep your routine interesting, finding new ways to exercise and alternatives to weights can help keep you motivated and ensure you’ve no excuses not to exercise when stuck in the house.

4. Strength lies in rest

Overambitious exercise and insufficient rest can very quickly lead to a fatal dip in motivation. The body can only develop properly when it is resting. In other words, look out for signs of tiredness and make sure you integrate regeneration phases in your exercise routine. Routine trips to see a sports massage therapist can help keep injuries at bay and ensure you’re relaxed and taking the time you need to heal and rest.  It’s important to remember that when an ache or pain persists to have it checked out, it’s better to be safe than sorry, the longer an injury is left the longer it can take to heal.

5. Regularity is the ace up your sleeve

Your body and brain need regular exercise to maintain and improve their performance. A muscle that has been immobilised for two weeks wastes away to almost nothing; it takes eight weeks to build it up again. Therefore you should avoid taking overlong breaks; they can have detrimental consequences – unless they are necessary for regeneration. A regular routine is vital to success, exercising irregularly will only slow down any progress you’ve made and in turn demotivate you as you’re not seeing the results you want in the time you might have hoped for. It’s also motivating to have a regular time per week to exercise, it keeps a routine in your day and you’ll feel so much better for sticking to it afterwards. Without planning fitness sessions exercise slip from your mind and either leave you demotivated, or simply just forgetting about it!

6. Plan your exercise routine to suit your life

Exercise should not add stress to your life – it should be a timesaving, well-planned constituent of your daily schedule. Use the journey to work for a workout and go by bicycle or walk. When at work, the stairs are perfect for a quick exercise session in between. You can also keep fit with short bursts of exercise such as yoga whilst at your desk. There’s never a bad time to exercise, so be sure to make the most of your surroundings and take advantage of opportunities to improve your fitness.

7. A balanced diet

Our bodies tell us what we need. If you exercise regularly, you will find that your body makes its own demands for protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. Whilst bacon sandwiches and chocolate cake may sound like a good idea at the time, just remember how much exercise it will take to work them off afterwards! A good diet plan devised by a nutritionist to suit your body type and needs should vastly help give you the energy you need to upkeep your new fitness regime. Portion control is perhaps the biggest favour you can do for yourself; it allows you to treat yourself throughout your fitness journey, after all, cutting out your favourite foods entirely will only leave you less motivated.

For more information on our fitness retreats drop us an enquiry or call on 020 7843 3597 to speak to one of our wellness experts.