It’s something we all ask ourselves, but it can be difficult to know for sure. Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, and there are plenty of recommended guidelines from leading health organizations to help people stay fit and healthy. But what does that mean for you? How much exercise do you need each week to reach your personal goals?
The answer isn’t so straightforward, as everyone has different needs. Generally speaking, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. That may sound like a lot, but it doesn’t have to be all in one session. Breaking up the time into smaller chunks throughout the day works just as well. For example, if you can’t fit in a full hour of exercise, you could do 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes later.
For an even bigger benefit to your health and to help lose weight or maintain weight loss, 300 minutes a week or more is recommended.
It’s also important to note that not all forms of exercise are equal. While aerobic activity is great for your overall heart health, strength training can help build muscle and reduce body fat. Flexibility exercises such as yoga or Pilates are beneficial for maintaining mobility and reducing the risk of injury.
Finally, don’t forget to give yourself a break from time to time; it’s important to take some days off from physical activity, so your body can rest and recover properly.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry – it can be hard to fit exercise into a busy schedule. That’s why it’s important to set realistic goals and find activities that you enjoy doing.
Start by identifying your current fitness level and what kind of activities you’d like to do. If you’re new to exercise, start slowly with 10-20 minutes of exercise per day and gradually increase the intensity or duration over time. You can also try different types of exercises until you find something that works for you and fits into your lifestyle. Make exercise fun with group classes or try something new that you’ve always wanted to do, such as dance class or biking.
To avoid getting overwhelmed, you want to set small attainable goals. Try setting a goal to cut out sugar or go to the gym every morning. This will give you a chance to work your goal into your routine. Once you’ve accomplished that goal, set another small goal to work on.
Beginning a new routine can be stressful, so be patient with yourself. While we all want instant gratification, it is important to your success to accept that lasting changes take time to accomplish.
Reaching your goals should be fun! Becoming a healthier, better you is a long journey with many small wins to enjoy along the way. Enjoy new food, exercises, and the confidence this process will help you develop.
Setbacks can happen on this journey, but it’s important to not let them discourage you. Don’t feel like a failure if you miss a workout or overindulge. Life will get in the way of your goals, but you can always start fresh the next day. Don’t forget the reason you are on this journey, and keep your head up through the setbacks!
By setting realistic goals and breaking up your weekly routine, you should be able to make physical activity part of your everyday life in no time!
At Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, we offer a wide range of group classes to provide you with a fun and exciting way to meet new people and reach your fitness goals!
Our aquatics classes are a great low-impact way to incorporate strength training, cardio, interval training, flexibility, Aqua Barre, and more into your exercise routine!
Whether you want to tone your body or address joint pain, we have a pilates class that meets your needs! We offer classes for all ages and abilities to help you meet your fitness goals.
Yoga is a great way to stretch and strengthen your body. We offer a wide range of yoga classes, from Gentle Yoga to Vinyasa Yoga, to accommodate people of all fitness levels.