With all this rain on the east coast, I feel like everyone on twitter has been either down in the dumps or not motivated to their fullest potential. Well, I wanted to post today on how you can possibly make exercise an enjoyable habit, one that you'll make time for and stick with because it makes you feel good, not because it's part of a strict regimen.
I believe in OVERCOMING! So here are six workouts you may want to try (and might not even realize you're working out) and how to overcome typical beginner's block.
Swimming
If you need to lose weight, have joint problems, or have an injury that makes you not perform at 100%, exercising in the water will make you feel lighter and more graceful. The built-in resistance also gives you a total body workout that's easy on your joints.
Beginner's Block: Bathing suit confidence
Overcome It: Check out a company specializing in larger sizes ( junonia.com ) for a suit that boasts wide straps, a neckline that doesn't scoop water, and a "magic vent" that keeps skirted styles from bubbling up. You don't have to wear a bikini to workout in the pool! One pieces work just fine! :)
Biking
An open road and the wind in you hair- turns out our favorite childhood past time is a top-notch calorie burner, melting about 540 an hour!!
Beginner's Block: A pain in the butt (literally)
Overcome It: The number one mistake beginners make is positioning their seat too low. To make sure yours is the correct height, sit in the saddle and extend your leg so the pedal is at the lowest point. Your leg should only have a slight bend in it. A specialty bike shop can also help you with positioning. Still have a sore backside? Opt for a padded seat or padded bike shorts, but not both.
Team Sports
A study of British women who attended soccer practices twice a week (Yeaaa soccer!) found that fitness benefits- like increased fat burn, strength, and lung capacity- trumped those of traditional workouts like running.
Beginner's Block: Thinking you don't have time to commit to a season.
Overcome It: You might think that do-anytime workouts are best, when actually the soccer players in the study showed up for more workouts than the runners did, finding that set schedules (plus the camaraderie) made it easier to make time to workout.
Dancing
If you love Dancing with the Stars or So You Think You Can Dance?, try ballroom or swing with a partner, or tap, jazz, or line dancing if you're going solo. (Yeaaa dancing! Growing up I took tap, ballet, lyrical, jazz, hiphop, etc. and absolutely loved it! Also, I used to teach ballet and hiphop and would get so excited when beginners came into class!)
Beginner's Block: Following choreography
Overcome It: Start with a beginner's class and take it one step at a time, literally. Or get a couple of your friends and do a private session with a dance instructor. Usually the instructor will build on basic step, varying it and adding arm movements. Stick with the basics until you can move forward.
Kickboxing
Throwing punches and jabs is obviously a stress-buster, but it can also burn about 680 calories an hour!
Beginner's Block: Feeling like you have two left feet (or fists)
Overcome It: Until you master a form, go slow. You might need to perform every other punch until you feel comfortable. Make sure you exhale when you punch or kick. It helps with your breathing and also gives you more power!
Yoga
I don't think there is a better way to stretch away stress, loosen tight muscles, and make you feel like a new person.
Beginner's Block: Poor balance
Overcome It: As we say in the Labor and Delivery world, pick a focal point. It may help you with your wobbling issues. Keep focused on that spot for the remainder of the class.
I came across this amazing breakfast recipe and knew I just HAD to share it with all of you. It has only 230 calories, 8g of protein, 5g of fiber, and only 45mg of sodium! Enjoy!
Southern Start
1 cup cooked steel-cut oats
1/4 cup sliced frozen peaches, thawed (or fresh)
1 Tbl. slivered almonds
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 packet Truvia/Stevia or other natural sweetener
Combine oats, peaches, almonds, vanilla extract, almond milk, and sweetener in a bowl and stir well. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
That's it! So simple, right?? It is on my list of things to make this week. If any of you try it as well, let me know how you like it!
Have you not participated in a workout because of beginner's block?? Which workout was it? How did YOU overcome??
I hope you all are having a wonderful start to your week! Here is to a fun and fit rest of it...on your own two feet...
Until the next step bloggers...
No comments:
Post a Comment