How to start working out and actually stick with it

National Fitness Day was a couple days ago, but we’re keeping the celebrations going a bit longer. After all, their motto this year is “your health is for life.”

Fitness is a many faceted thing that’s about so much more than shedding pounds or growing muscles. We know how important it is to make sustainable changes to your health journey to make sure it’s something you can sustain throughout your life.

So far, we’ve chatted about mental health, nutrition, and recovery and how they’re related to fitness. Today, we’re talking about the final piece in the puzzle for a lifetime of healthy habits: physical activity and how to start working out.

There are dozens of different ways you can get moving on a daily basis, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all. If you’re not much of a gym-goer at the moment, the idea of getting started with exercise can seem daunting. But the key on how to start working out (and actually stick with it) is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that you can turn into a habit. Easier said than done, but here are five tips to get you motivated:

Be open to trying anything and everything.

You may fall in love with a form of exercise you wouldn’t have expected! YMCA Club has a huge variety of classes you can try, such as yoga, aerobics, and circuit training. If you’re a beginner, let the instructor know and they’ll help you modify exercises that may be too difficult.

Take it slow.

It can be tempting to go all-in from the start, but that may lead to burnout. If you’re brand new to exercise, start with something manageable like 2 or 3 workouts a week, and go for walks on other days. And the workouts don’t need to be long sessions – even a 20-minute HIIT workout can be enough to get your heart pumping!

Find a “why” that’s more than just a good physique.

This is the key to starting a healthy exercise routine that you can sustain. You’re more likely to stick with exercise long-term if you’re doing it for a non-aesthetic or non-selfish reason. This can include a long list of things, such as managing diabetes, improving heart health, managing anxiety or depression, lowering blood pressure, or getting stronger to play with your grandchildren.

Recruit a workout buddy.

If you’re going solo, it can be easy to make excuses to skip a workout, but when you start a fitness routine with a friend, you keep each other accountable. You’re less likely to cancel a workout last-minute if your friend is relying on you! You can even make the experience more fun and social by going for a coffee or nutritious smoothie after the workout.

Block off time in your diary.

It’s important to make physical activity a priority because it is one. Schedule it in the same way you would a work meeting or doctor appointment. If you can make a habit of exercise, even better! Try working out at the same time a few days a week or attend a couple of the same classes each week.

All that’s standing between you and your new fitness routine is that first workout! Need some inspiration to get started? Some of the most popular types of workout – and some of our favourites – include swimming, cycling, yoga, boxing, weightlifting, dancing, HIIT, and pilates.

Top 5 Benefits of Baby and Toddler Swim Classes

It’s never too early to hop in the pool and get accustomed to being in water! Baby and toddler swim classes help youngsters learn essential skills that they’ll take with them as they grow and develop, and the early start is likely to make them stronger swimmers as they get older.

How does a baby and toddler swim class work exactly? The instructor leads parent and baby pairs through a series of games and activities. In the beginning, you’ll support your baby as he or she learns movements like kicking and paddling, and eventually, they’ll be able to work toward floating and moving around in the water independently.

Learning to swim from a young age comes with so many physical and developmental benefits. Learning to swim from a young age comes with so many physical and developmental benefits.

1. Strengthen muscles

Even when you’re helping your baby stay afloat, the kicking and paddling movements do wonders for strengthening vital muscles in the arms, legs, and neck. This will help make your baby stronger overall, which will translate to activities outside the pool too. For young babies, this may also lead them to hit milestones like crawling and walking earlier than they would otherwise.

2. Increase motor skills

Your baby will feel new sensations when moving around in the water versus on dry land. Movements tend to be slower and more precise, so your baby will have more control and may be able to move in ways they can’t outside of the pool.

3. Improve balance and coordination

Swimming is known to help babies develop and strengthen the vestibular system – part of the inner ear that helps with spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and a feeling of equilibrium. This will set them up for success in their physical development and any activities they do outside the water as well.

4. Gain confidence

Swimming lessons help babies and toddlers get used to the feeling of being in water from a young age, leading them to become stronger and more confident swimmers as they get older. The excitement and praise that comes with learning new skills can also help toddlers gain a stronger self-esteem.

5. Socialise

Not only is this an amazing bonding experience for you and your baby – it’s also the perfect way for your little one to interact with peers who are their same age. Babies and toddlers learn from one another, and spending time together helps them gain fundamental social skills.

These are only a handful of the amazing benefits you’re likely to notice from baby and toddler swim classes! Ready to jump in and get started? The Children’s Swim School at YMCA Club regularly runs parent and baby swim classes for children ranging from 6 months to 3 years old. Click here to read more and find out when our next series of baby and toddler swim classes will be starting!

Author: Christie Goyette