An exercise plan that ticks all of YOUR boxes anybody?

 

We all know that exercise is good for us.  We know it has so many physical, emotional and social benefits but getting into a regular exercise routine can prove difficult.

 

There seems to be so many reasons getting in the way of regular exercise. Do you recognise any of these?

• I’m just too busy and cant find the time
• I’m too tired at the end of a long day
• I find the gym intimidating
• I need to be fit before I can join a class
• I hate exercise
• And so many more…….

 

However, it’s easy to see exercise as a one size fits all kinda thing and that’s where the problem often lies and it’s this that often then leads to the above reasons for not adopting a regular exercise pattern. See the vicious circle?

 

We talk a lot about bio-individuality here at Wellbeing4Life.  Bio-individuality basically means that one man’s (or woman’s!) food is another man’s poison. Whether that’s about food, our favourite TV programme, our chosen career, our wardrobe, our holiday destination or even our preferred exercise activity, bio-individuality tells us that we are all different.  That’s really exciting- imagine a world full of sameness- no thanks!  It’s also liberating as it frees us to search out what it is that actually suits us, what it is that makes us tick and what it is that actually serves us. If you feel intimidated at the gym then there’s no way you are going to feel full of energy with an endorphin filled high- you’ll just be counting down the seconds until you can get out of there!

 

Developing a regular exercise routine that suits your particular body type and lifestyle will increase your energy, improve your mindset and change your body.  Start by experimenting with different types of exercise that sound fun to you, then choose a few that you love. Do them consistently, fuelled by the enjoyment of them and make them part of your life.

 

So what type of exercise works best for you?

 

 

 

Think about what you loved to do as a child:

Did you dance, bike or hike? This is a good place to start when looking for a new exercise routine.

 

Listen to your body:

Know that movement is a lot like food. Once you understand how different types of movement nourish your body in different ways, you can put together a menu of activities to keep yourself fin balance.

Feeling frail and unfocused? Try a vigorous exercise to make you feel stable and powerful like kickboxing or running.

Feeling tight and tense? Try a gentler exercise to increase lightness and flexibility like swimming or yoga.

 

What’s your personality type?

If you’re a quirt person who likes a lot of alone time, consider buying a small trampoline or a set of hand weights so you can move in the comfort of your own home.

If you like being around groups of people, you can join team sports like football or netball, which have the added benefit of human interaction and fun competition.

You can also blend the two by taking group classes like Pilates, karate or dance.

 

When do you feel the most energetic?

Just as some people think more clearly in the morning and others think more clearly at night, some prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, whilst others prefer to exercise later in the day. There’s no right or wrong; it’s simply a matter of personal preference.

 

Think about convenience and comfort level

Look for a gym, yoga studio or outdoor bootcamp near your home or on the way to the office.  It’s important to find a location that’s convenient and where the atmosphere is pleasant, comfortable and welcoming. This will increase your chances of going regularly.

 

Remember:

Physical exercise might simply mean getting off the bus one stop earlier and walking.  It might mean taking the stairs instead of the lift, or taking your dog for a walk or your children to the park.

 

A brisk 30-minute walk every other day is better than a panicked gym session every month. Be experimental and choose a routine you can nourish yourself with on a daily basis.

 

Celebrate the fact that you are unique and choose something that serves YOU!

 

We are passionate about the concept of bio-individuality- it’s key to balance, wellbeing and happiness.  Therefore we are offering a free 60 minute wellbeing assessment to hep you identify what bio-individuality means to you and how you can use it to your benefit.   Choose from face to face or Skype to suit your own (bio-individual!) needs.  Just get in touch to book your session.