1. When it comes to health, there are two pieces of advice that will always top any list. Make sure you have a balanced diet, and make sure you exercise regularly. These two things are the most basic principles for improving both body and mind.
2. It’s not a case of diet or exercise – you need both. You can’t exercise properly if you haven’t eaten right beforehand, loading up on the nutrients that give you energy, build up your muscles and generally improve your performance.
3. Exercise can come in different forms. The best routines are those that include strength, flexibility and cardiovascular training, rather than exclusively focusing on just one. You need a combination of everything to get the best results from your workouts.
4. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have your favorites. If you’ve struggled to find a form of exercise that you enjoy, that might just mean you haven’t found the right one for you. Be willing to experiment with walking, cycling, gym workouts, yoga, swimming and all the common (and uncommon) sports to try to find one that can keep you engaged.
5. Another important thing to know is when not to exercise. Regular rest periods are important to give your body time to recover. That’s especially true when you’re healing from an injury, but anyone can cause themselves damage when they overtrain.
6. Doing some exercise is often an important part of rehabilitating after an injury, but too much too soon can set you back again. Always remember that even a small amount of exercise can be beneficial, especially compared to complete inactivity.
7. The benefits of exercise aren’t just physical. It can also have a powerful impact on your mental health, from giving you a sense of achievement to boosting your endorphins.
8. This impact can be increased by the collaborative nature of many forms of exercise. Joining a group can improve motivation and create a sense of community.
9. Motivation can be one of the biggest challenges to exercising properly, but it’s one that needs to be overcome.
6. If you have any doubts about the best way to go about getting fit, especially if injured, make sure you talk to your doctor or physio beforehand. A good instructor or personal trainer should also be able to adapt any exercise routine to suit your specific needs.
