A New Year, a New You

The list of resolutions has been written, to become healthier, to be more active, to cut out the junk food, and the list goes on. Now let’s get moving. Taking on a new you can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Changing one small thing a day leads to 30 changes in a month. Those small changes will be life altering. Here are a few tips on how to become more active in your daily routine:

Use the stairs
Opting for the stairs at work instead of the elevator can be a great way to start your day. When you walk through the mall, take the stairs and ignore the escalators. There are always two choices: taking the easy route or burning some calories on your way.

The parking spot
We have all driven for minutes at a time just to find that one close spot, 20 feet nearer and 30 seconds faster to the store entrance. Instead, choose to park a little further. Take a brisk walk; add some speed to your stride. The parking lot walks will add up.

Commercial workout
Use the commercial breaks while watching TV to get moving. They provide approximately 20-30 seconds for a high-intensity workout. Complete a different workout for every commercial. For example, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, jumping jacks, run in place, and jumps. Rotate through them and turn your TV watching into a workout.

Mastering the walk around the house or office
Lunge to a particular location. Make it a challenge at work, ask all your co-workers to join you. If you have to visit the restroom, perform lunges to get there. At home, when going from the living room to the kitchen and back, use lunges to move around.

Take a walk or run to the park
Bringing your lunch to work provides two benefits: healthier lunch items and shorter eating time. Use the rest of your eating time to take a walk or a short jog. Getting fresh air and stimulating the mind is a sure way to be more productive on your return. Get out of the house. Take the dogs, kids, or just yourself out to the park. Time yourself, see how far you get, and try to beat your distance/time every time.

A New Year, a New YouRegister for a 5k run/walk
Make the decision, and commit; it’s easier to begin a training regimen once you have a goal. For races more than 10k, there are plenty of resources to help you along. Runnersworld.com, for example, has various plans to fit your athletic level. Don’t be in a rush, but do get started.

Use a park’s seating
This one easily ties into your lunch break walk. Find a park with benches of any kind. Walk or jog to the park during your lunch break or after work. Use the benches to do step-ups or box-jumps. This workout is explosive and burns more calories than expected.

Bike to/at the beach
We are stuck at home or inside an office for most of our day. Set aside 30 minutes to get active. An advantage of the South Florida life is that the beach is no more than a 30-minute drive away. We forget that we can grab a bicycle and head to the beach. Enjoy the weather, the views, and stay active.

Schedule dance lessons
Dance lessons can be beneficial in a few ways. They will better your mobility, balance, agility, coordination, burn calories and add social skills. Dancing is a great way to increase your heart rate while having fun.

Make better food choices
This is vital. Nutrition is by far the most essential part of your wellness. We can work out several hours per week, but if nutrition is not in tune with your goals, it will hinder your progress. Do your research and question everything you eat. Find the foods that best suit your objectives. Stay away from cans, boxes and processed foods. The more man has touched or distorted the food, the less beneficial it will be. Always start your day with the most crucial meal: breakfast.

Also, always remember to include the ones you love. Take a friend on a walk, jog or 5k. Challenge yourself and others. Have as much fun as you can in the journey of reaching your goal.

What are three ways you plan to get more active in 2014? Email us to at [email protected] and let us know!

Edwin Morales is an ex-military and law enforcement officer and the owner of Crossfit CVI in Pompano Beach. For more information, visit crossfitcvi.com, call 954-972-4284 or email at [email protected].

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