Practical & Easy Ways to Exercise At Home
Exercising is one of those activities that you either love or hate. For some, it is like a hard and boring chore (like ironing! ) but for others, it is the best thing in the world after zucchini noodles with creamy avocado. 😉
Regardless of how you feel about it, one thing is for sure exercising is a core aspect of wellness because not only help us physically but also mentally and emotionally.
When you exercise you release endorphins a.k.a “happy hormones”, it makes us feel good about ourselves and it is an impressive stress reliever.
I know…I know you are still not very convinced don’t you? Don’t worry, I have for you some easy and realistic ideas you can implement right away at home without the need for any expensive equipment so you can get started.
The amazing thing about exercising at home is that you can create the right atmosphere that will help you get motivated.
Whatever you do, please make sure to keep it simple and realistic. I believe the number one mistake for people who start exercising is trying to do too much at once so the next day, instead of looking forward to the work out they are too tired and discouraged to exercise.
We don’t want that to happen so in order to avoid it, start easy and slow so you can keep it up.
The most important part is to start! As you get better at it, you will be able to increase the level of difficulty and add more exercises to your routine. Shall we start?
SQUATS
They are an absolute must if you are serious about getting in shape! They help you tone your legs, thighs and can help you fight cellulite. The greatest thing about them is that you don’t need any special equipment to get started and you can do squats practically anywhere.
If you have varicose veins or any other blood circulation issue in your lower body, squats will definitely help. If you’re new to exercising, you can start by doing 3 sets of 10 (take a few seconds break in between if needed) and then increase the number by one extra squat the following day (3 sets of 11) and so on.
Make sure to keep track of your progress by having an exercise chart so you can see the great progress you are making. Remember, the goal is to take a realistic approach to these exercises so you can keep the routine consistently.
There are so many different types of squats out there (with and without a chair) choose the one you feel most comfortable with.
JOGGING IN PLACE
Generally speaking, jogging is a very beneficial form of exercise. Jogging in place gets your heart pumping beautifully, making it stronger and avoiding heart-related issues in the future.
It also has the added benefit of burning calories (if you need to lose weight). The key is the intensity in which you jog for it to be effective.
You can start by “walking” in place for 5 minutes (warm up) and then increase the speed as needed. If you have extra time, you can jog for at least 60 minutes and get that heart working (Shhhh…and your calves, quadriceps and hamstring muscles will be having a party!)
STAIRCASE
If you have any sets of stairs at home, count yourself lucky! This exercise strengthens and tones your legs, butt and calves (it is pretty fun too).
If you are a beginner, start by walking upstairs one step at a time until the exercise becomes too “easy” then you can move on to a harder way to do it.
If you are more experienced, you can run up the stairs at first and then take two or more steps at a time (if you’re able to). Just make sure you are wearing comfortable sneakers for optimal support. Do not feel afraid to stop at anytime and take necessary breaks.
JUMPING JACKS
This is one of the most diverse and fun of all exercises (does it bring back childhood memories?). Confession time: I must admit that I was not very good at them at first because I am not very um…. coordinated (what?…I said it was confession time) BUT if you consistently do jumping jacks you WILL get better at them and your coordination will improve dramatically.
There are so many health benefits of jumping jacks but mainly it boosts your heart rate and improves your blood circulation. It is considered a fully body workout and between you and me… it is a great way to get the kids involved (if they’re a little too hyper and they need to release that energy).
DANCING!
I left this one for last because very few people would consider dancing as a form of exercise but it is! Add to that how much fun you will have at home in your pj’s dancing your heart out (make sure there are no cameras around).
One of the best dances for burning calories is Zumba but you can choose anyone you like and just start moving that body. Dancing increases your energy level and is a great activity for your heart.
Did you know dancing also helps your brain? No kidding, it boosts your memory! Besides the physical health benefits, dancing also help us emotionally. If you are too stressed or suffering of depression, dancing can help you deal with the symptoms associated with these conditions.
Wow, what a workout (sorry I have a thing for puns) I am sure you have other ideas for exercising at home. Please share them!
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