Studio Seniors

Fitness Fun

One of the most important things a person can do when it comes to overall fitness, is to choose activities you enjoy. If you enjoy the activities you are participating in, you are more likely to stick with them. You may also want to consider journaling your fitness goals, habits, and desires. If your goal is to lose weight, you may also want to keep a food diary to keep track of calories, and help you remember what you’ve eaten throughout the day.

If you don’t want to go to the gym, try walking. Walk at least thirty minutes a day, a few times a week for the greatest benefits. If you don’t have time to fit thirty minutes in all at once, break it into three ten minute segments. You will still benefit from the exercise. If you like a little more adventure, consider a martial arts class, or a kickboxing class. For a lower stress workout, try dance, tai chi, or a beginning yoga class. If you don’t feel up to a vigorous workout, that’s okay. You don’t need to sweat and push yourself through every fitness routine. Stretch out for a few minutes and then jump in the hot tub, or simply throw a ball to your dog. Fitness is not just for the body, but for the mind also. Simple exercises can lower stress and blood pressure.

If you don’t want to exercise alone, ask a friend to join the gym with you, or to walk with you. There is also basketball, softball or even bowling to try.

You don’t have to go to the gym in order to have fitness options. One could invest in a treadmill or a stationary bike. There are many exercise DVD’s on the market, from kickboxing to walking videos. You might want to invest in a few tools. For example, you may enjoy light hand weights, an exercise ball, or exercise bands. Try jump-roping or the kids hula-hoops. If you want to, you can exercise as a family. Fun outdoor games like kick the can, or tag are a great way for the whole family to get fit together. Hiking can be a fun family activity. There are hiking trails to try out at the park. Not only will you benefit from the hike, but sometimes there are fun things to see along the way. While hiking, you may enjoy the local wildlife, or take in the scenery of a woodland pond. Biking is another way to enjoy fitness as a family. Your local parks may offer riding trails with a range of difficulty, or just bike around town. Another great family activity is swimming. Head to the local pool or join the Y. YMCA offers a lot of activities for the family.

Fitness is for the young and old. Enjoy the benefits that a fitness routine can bring to the body and mind, and start your exercise routine today. Whether you join a group activity, or decide to go it alone, just remember the most important element to getting fit, is to have fun with it.

Morgan Turley is a yoga instructor at Essence Yoga Studio, providing a variety of gilbert yoga classes and yoga Mesa AZ classes.

Craig Paul Studio Senior Pictures