Fitness in the Real World
Making a commitment to stay fit can be overwhelming. Making excuses is the easy way out. Fitness in the real world needs to be realistic. Our biggest advice for maintaining a healthy routine is planning ahead.
We know that planning ahead is easier said than done. That is why we created this three part series full of tips for planning some fitness into your day. In Part I we talked about finding time for healthy habits, in part II we will talk about finding fitness where it is convenient for you and breaking free from the gym mentality.
PART II: Seeing Fitness Differently
“I cannot find the time or money to join a gym” – Workout Anywhere!
Get out of the mindset that fitness happens in a gym. You do not need a membership anywhere to exercise. If you are looking for a leisurely way to stay fit, this can be great. Do not underestimate the lack of workout equipment; you could do all kinds of workouts using only your body that can be pretty intense.
- Walk
- Run
- Jump Rope
- Climb Stairs (Pittsburgh is a great place for this!!)
- Push Ups
- Squats
- Jumping Jacks
- Yoga
Finding time in your schedule is all about making time. If you want to get fit, reorganize your priorities. Start to see downtime in your day as an opportunity to get your heart pumping. Do you have a lunch break at work? Is there a commercial break on tv? Are you waiting for your car at the mechanic? Why not take a walk? Once again, if you plan ahead to exercise throughout the day, you will be surprised at the time you have available.
Do you sit at a desk? I should mention there are entire websites dedicated to tips for staying active at the office. You would be surprised at a number of workouts you can work in while you’re on the clock.
- Tricep Dips
- Core Workouts
- Shoulder Stretches
- Desk Push Ups
- Jumping Jacks
- Toe Raises
- Calf Raises
- Wall Sits
- Take steps two at a time
- Email less, walk more
- Want some desk workouts? Here are the 10 Best Exercises To Do At Your Desk
Don’t fool yourself with excuses; make a game of finding ways to make yourself even more active throughout the day.
Change your mindset; not having time to go to the gym can be a great thing! Nature is a necessity for your mental wellness. The city is a jungle but the concrete jungle is full of stress. Taking the time to get out of the city and enjoy some nature has been shown to lesson your chance of depression and other mental illness. Even if that means rerouting your commute so that you walk through the park every day, each little bit can help you relax. Plan some time to visit one of our featured trails – all within driving distance of Pittsburgh and make the perfect getaway.