Athletic people are often focused on breaking their personal records. Once they see how much further they can run and longer they can last, the euphoria triggers an obsession. Working out starts to feel so good that they focus on nothing else but achieving the miles and reps they set for themselves. While these may not have immediate repercussions, it won’t take long before they realize that even the pros avoid doing this for a good reason.
If you find yourself looking for ways to improve your active lifestyle, setting your daily workout goals higher isn’t the answer. Learn from the professionals and be inspired by their wellness regimen. You’ll be surprised at how a well-rounded, active lifestyle will help you become fitter and more fulfilled.
Plan Your Rest and Recovery
Rest isn’t only about lounging on your sofa and missing your daily run. There are many ways you can speed up and improve your recovery during your rest days, and most of them don’t involve sleeping for twelve hours straight.
You can actually take this time to participate in low impact workouts like Pilates, leisure swimming, walking, and yoga. Buy yourself a foam roller and learn how to give yourself a myofascial massage. Rollers are great for alleviating tight muscles and speeding up your recovery. If you think you need a more intense therapy, go to a professional who’ll know how to treat your gym-related soreness.
Of course, there’s no forgetting hydration. While you shouldn’t skip your recommended water intake, make hydration more exciting and tasty by eating watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches, strawberries, lettuce, and cucumber. Make it a goal to buy some in the nearest farmer’s market in Utah during your rest days.
Every now and then, treat yourself to a treatment that would rejuvenate your body. Some prefer to get IV infusion therapy to look and feel younger. Infusions are especially good if you’ve been suffering from chronic fatigue, migraines, and allergies. You can even get one to boost your immune system.
However, you want to do it, make sure that you actually feel rested physically, mentally, and emotionally before your next round of workouts.
Pay Attention to Your Coordination
Coordination is a frequently overlooked aspect of physical fitness. It’s possible that you haven’t even considered it until now. When you really think about it, though, it’s coordination that enables you to prevent injuries and play a sport well. By developing this skill now, you may also avoid certain physical challenges when you get older.
The good thing is that if you’re leading an active lifestyle, you may already be involved in activities that promote coordination. Do you do Zumba or take any dance lesson twice or thrice a month? Have you tried Tai Chi and incorporated swimming into your weekly workout regimen? Consider increasing the frequency of these activities, as they are some of the best ways you can improve your coordination while getting loads of other health benefits.
Improving your balance, sequencing, and self-awareness can also boost your self-control and make you smarter. Who wouldn’t want that, right?
Quality is More Important than Quantity
Have you been paying attention to your form lately? Or were you too focused on completing a specific number of reps to mind it?
Shift your focus from quantity to quality and start noticing how you execute certain exercises. How do you run? How do you lunge? In sport, assess how you take that sudden step and how your body twists when taking a swing. A good form makes a huge difference in your energy and performance.
This is why fitness coaches recommend installing a full-length mirror in your home gym if ever you’ve resorted to one during the pandemic. Seeing your reflection gives you immediate feedback on what you’re doing wrong and how you can correct it. If you’ve been working out with poor form for quite a while, amending these mistakes could take a while.
Perform your exercises slowly and spend time practicing the correct form. On your rest days, research on how and why exercises are done a particular way. Educating yourself about the things you put your body through will make you more appreciative of your workouts.
Wellness Shouldn’t be Dull
Aiming for a well-rounded fitness regimen makes your active lifestyle more exciting. It’ll stop being solely about pushing your body. You’ll also be busy learning how to give your body adequate rest, what healthy and delicious food is best for recovery, and which books to read to expand your knowledge about health.
Wellness should never be a dull endeavor. The more exciting and balanced you make it, the easier it will be to stay disciplined and committed.
