Heading into the new year is a good time to take a look at your health habits over the past year and think of areas you want to improve on. Our bodies are constantly experiencing changes from what we eat, the activities we do, and environmental factors. That is why it is so important to continually keep an eye on your health status and stay knowledgeable about what you can do to help your body stay healthy! Check out these nine tips to keep your body healthy throughout the new year.
Join A Gym
It may sound cliche, but joining a gym just might be the motivation you need to kick start your physical health journey. By joining a gym, you will gain access to state-of-the-art workout equipment that will allow you to work out safely and effectively. In addition, you can find support and educational resources at a gym that can make your health and wellness journey much easier!
Making an “appointment” to go to the gym as part of your weekly routine can help you commit to your fitness goals. For busy individuals, our Nunawading gym Element Fitness is one of the best 24-hour gyms in the area! With access to fitness classes, personal trainers, and a sauna, our gym is packed with everything you need to improve your health in the new year!
Take a Fitness Class
If you are looking for something to keep you active that doesn’t take up too much time, group fitness classes can be a great way to stick to a fitness routine with as little as 30 minutes of commitment. From low-impact options such as yoga and pilates to high-intensity options like kickboxing or HIIT training, fitness classes can offer a variety of options to match your fitness needs!
Hire A Personal Trainer
It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or a professional athlete, a personal trainer can help you plan and execute all your fitness goals to match your body. Working with a personal trainer can provide you with the education, support, and motivation you need to take your fitness to the next level! Beyond that, a personal training specialist is knowledgeable in more than just workouts. The right trainer can help you improve all areas of your health from diet to mental and emotional stability.
Sunrise Stretching
Personal wellness doesn’t start at the gym or on the go, it starts right in your own home from the minute you wake up in the morning, all the way through to how you sleep at night. Starting the day off right can have a huge impact on your daily health as well as your overall health.
By starting the morning with a five to ten-minute stretching routine to stimulate oxygen flow through the body and release tension in the muscles can help you increase energy levels and prepare your body for the day. This can also reduce tightness and pain in the muscles and prevent injury from repetitive activities from occupations.
Rest, Relaxation, and Rejuvenation
Too many times, people underestimate the benefits of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. Fitness is not an all-or-nothing process. In fact, it is important to keep a balance between rest and activity. Start your fitness routine off at a manageable pace and factor in days for rest. Make sure you take one day a week at the least to rest your body completely. You can also take advantage of rejuvenation opportunities at local gyms such as the 24-hour sauna at our Nunawading gym!
Start Drinking Shakes or Smoothies
A great way to improve your health is to incorporate healthy foods into your diet. Shakes or smoothies are a great way to kick-start your metabolism each day and provide you with beneficial nutrients. If you are also working out, consider drinking both post and pre-workout shakes to help keep you energized and rejuvenated and avoid fatigue.
Include Fresh Foods In Your Diet
Eating fresh can make a world of difference in how your body digests your food and, in turn, the beneficial nutrients you can actually get from them. Fresh fruits have natural sugars that are easier for your body to process than additives that may be in canned fruits. This can increase your energy, reduce cramping and muscle soreness, and improve your overall health.
In addition, fresh vegetables and greens can provide key nutrients in higher quantities than any other food. For example, fresh spinach contains high levels of iron that can eliminate fatigue in anemic individuals by simply adding it to sandwiches or in smoothies daily.
Know Your Body And Your Diet
The best thing you can do to maintain and improve your health is to know your body and your diet. While a professional can tell you what works best for similar individuals in general, only you know exactly what you are feeling and how your body is responding to new physical demands or dietary changes.
It can be helpful to track your fitness in a journal and take notes of symptoms and symptom relief. This will inform you about the workouts that may be too intense at your level or workouts that are the most beneficial for you at the time.
For your diet, consider if there is anything specific to you that could benefit from dietary changes. For example, people with inflammatory conditions from stomach ulcers to autoimmune disorders can benefit from changing to a low-inflammatory diet. Alternatively, taking a food sensitivity test can tell you what things in your diet may be causing internal issues.
The bottom line is that you are in control of your health. While we all need a little help sometimes, you are the one that is going to be able to judge what your body needs and when. As you enter the new year, start tracking your fitness journey and keep it manageable. You’ve got this!
