We know you know this: “Moving your body is essential, especially as you age. It’s about maintaining vitality, protecting your bones and staying youthful and vibrant,” says Latreal Mitchell, a personal trainer and founder of Fitness Bunch Foundation.
Dress the part.
“Even if you aren’t planning to exercise right away, you’re more likely to squeeze in a quick yoga flow, walk or stretch if you’re already dressed for it,” says Lindsey Benoit O’Connell, CSCS, a certified meditation teacher and trainer and founder of The LAB Wellness. “Plus, workout clothes are basically the next best thing to PJ’s!”
Involve the fam.
If you have kids or a group of friends, grab a stack of index cards and write a variety of exercises on half and the numbers 6 through 20 on others, then shuffle each pile. Someone pulls a move and a number of reps, and as soon as one person starts moving, the next person pulls from the stack. “Eventually everyone should be moving,” says Mitchell.
Take it easy — really!
Not all movement needs to be a formal workout. Lean into low-effort activity by adding simple exercises and stretches to your weekly routine. “They can be done anywhere and will help break up long periods of sitting to improve your overall well-being,” says Vaughn Gray, NASM-CPT, a wellness expert and personal trainer. Think gentle neck stretches, shoulder rolls, wrist and finger stretches and hip and ankle rotations to keep your joints limber and pain-free.
Gamify TV night.
Write down common words or phrases from your favorite shows or sporting events, then pair each with an action or exercise, says O’Connell. For example, do squats every time there’s a football fumble or jumping jacks every time Homer says “D’oh!”
Mix it up.
Switching up the types of exercise you do helps prevent boredom and keeps you motivated — and it helps prevent fitness plateaus, as your body constantly has to adapt to new stimuli, explains Gray. Check what classes are near you or explore online videos to discover fun new ways to get your sweat on.
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