Learning how to be fit makes a real difference to being healthy. Being fit makes you feel better. You’ll sleep better and feel more in touch with your body. Learn to treat it with more respect.
Being fit can seem an elusive goal if you haven’t exercised in years but you’ll be surprised how making small regular changes can make a big difference. Read on to find out more…
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Check In With Your Doctor
If you have any doubts about starting an exercise program, check with your doctor first. If you’re overweight or have any medical issues it’s best to get an all clear first.
With any exercise program start slowly. Launching into a long run on day one just to prove you can still do it, won’t help if you end up with an injury.
There’s Nothing Wrong With Walking
Walking is a terrific way to get fit. It’s easier on the joints – a good thing if you’re overweight or an older athlete.
You don’t need any special equipment or costly gym membership. Just a good pair of comfortable shoes and a coat if it looks like it’s going to rain! Make sure your shoes have good support.
Get started with my 9 Week Fat Buster Walking Plan – lose 10 pounds in 9 weeks and keep it off!
Regular walking every day will make a real difference to your fitness levels if you’re not used to exercise. The more you walk, the fitter you’ll become.
Brisk walking has a long list of health benefits and recent studies have shown that fast walkers live longer.
Walking is also a good stepping stone to taking up running. I suggest you walk every day for two weeks first before starting a running program.
How Much Walking For Weight Loss (What Does It Take)
Walking has got to be the most accessible form of exercise. You don’t need any special equipment, just a comfortable pair of shoes. Yet it’s often overlooked. So how much walking for weight loss do you need to do? When it comes to burning calories, walking is almost as good as running, especially if you’re …
Fast Walkers Live Longer (It’s Official)
I’ve always been a fast walker. It’s my thing. I guess everyone has a thing and mine just happens to be fast walking. Finding out fast walkers live longer, according to recent studies, just gives me an excuse. You can trace it right back to my childhood and trying to keep up with my Dad …
Couch To 5K
Starting running is all about getting through those first few weeks until running starts to feel easier. It will I promise!
The Couch To 5K Program can be a good place to start if you haven’t exercised in years. Follow my Couch To 5K Tips to get the most out of the program and find out if it’s a good match for you.
When you take up running, finding a running buddy or joining a club can be the best way to get the most out of your running, especially as a beginner runner.
Once you’ve ticked off your first 5K hopefully you’ll be addicted to running and looking for more. Train for your first 10K or try running faster. I’ve always liked the idea of using marginal gains to become a better runner.
Couch To 5K Program (It Doesn’t Work For Everyone)
It’s a crazy world. The Couch to 5K program was invented by Josh Clark the founder of a design agency. No sports science degree, no coaching experience, yet he came up with a running program that’s helped millions of people around the world become runners. The brilliance of the program lies in it’s slow build …
How To Become A Better Runner (You Need The Right Mindset)
Becoming a better runner is about more than ticking off items on a checklist – intervals, strength training, increasing mileage… I’ve seen people do all these things and still fail to improve. It’s as if there’s something lacking. A mental block that stops the transition from mediocre to exceptional. Certainly not everyone has the demigod …
7 Running Tips For Beginners (To Get In Shape Right Now)
Running is a tried and tested way of getting into shape. But if you’re a newbie and you want to start to run it’s best to take it slow. Follow these running tips for beginners to discover your passion for all things running… This post contains affiliate links. This means I receive a commission if …
6 Tips To Train For Your First 10K
For a beginner runner, try and train for your first 10K. It’s an ideal distance. Far enough to be a challenge, without destroying you before you even get to the start line. A 10K is a fun mix of speed and endurance. Follow these tips to get the most out of your running… This post …
Do I Have To Walk Or Run To Be Fit?
Does it seem like everyone talks about running or walking as the only way to get fit? Running and walking are great for burning calories but they’re definitely not the only way to get fit.
These 47 tips should give you some inspiration. Everything from Tai Chi to coasteering.
The best way to be fit is to find an activity your enjoy and start doing it regularly. This could be a daily yoga session or taking up hiking. If you’re having fun, your fitness activity becomes something to look forward to – the highlight of your day.
47 Tips On How To Get Fit (And None Involve The Gym)
Want to know how to get fit when you dislike the gym? Then you’ve come to the right place. This list will give you tips on how to get fit, (and have fun), without heading indoors. Make the most of the summer and start living life to the full. Make fitness a priority with this …
5 Ways To Make Yoga A Daily Habit (That Actually Work)
Now we all know you need to make something a regular habit if you’re going to reap the benefits. If you make yoga a daily habit it can make a big difference. A weekly yoga class just doesn’t quite cut it. It’s better than nothing, but if you want to tap into all the amazing …
11 Best Online Yoga Programs (When You Want To Lose Weight)
Online yoga programs? To lose weight? Are you being serious? Surely weight loss is all about restrictive diets and cardio, calories in verses calories out? Where does yoga fit into the picture? I’m not surprised you’re confused. Starve yourself and clock up endless miles if you want to lose weight. That’s the mantra and it …
Hiking For Beginners (Everything You Need To Know)
Hiking is more than just a wonderful way to get fit, (climbing hills and mountains packs a powerful cardio workout). It’s good for the soul, helps you switch off from work and can be your passport to a life of adventure. This hiking for beginners guide hopes to convince you hiking can be accessible and …
Staying Motivated
I love running but I’m the first person to start making excuses if it’s wet or cold outside. A way to get over this is always exercise at a regular time or better still arrange to meet someone.
It’s hard to not show up if you know a friend’s waiting on a doorstep for you!
Setting fitness goals and creating a workout schedule are some of my fitness tips for staying motivated.
Prioritise Sleep
If you’re a night owl like me, getting enough zzzs can be a problem. Yet skimping on your 7 to 8 hours a night, (more if you’re a teenager), can drastically affect your fitness.
Try setting an alarm for bedtime. A regular sleep routine will help with your fitness levels and eating habits.
Weight Loss
This is tough to admit, but being fit won’t guarantee you hit your weight loss goals. Yeah sorry about that!
If you have bad eating habits and consistently eat more calories than your body needs, you can exercise and still put on weight.
It’s the ugly truth about how to be fit. Starting your running plan isn’t an excuse to pile up the cakes as a reward.
If you want to lose weight, the answer is 80 to 90% diet related. Yes you can lose weight by running 5 miles a day but only if you stick to your recommended calorie intake.
Weight loss is all about calorie deficit. Burn more calories than you consume and you’ll lose your excess weight.
I’m not a huge fan of diets. Hands up if you’ve been on a diet and piled the weight back on 6 months to a year later?
Thought so. Diets are difficult to stick to. Worse still, extreme diets just send your body into starvation mode where your body adjusts to living on a lower calorie intake.
That’s a big problem when you reach your target weight goal and want to go back to regular eating.
It’s better to slowly adopt healthy eating habits. Make one small change at a time and stick to it. Start with something easy – a small commitment. Small steps towards healthy living and being fit.
8 Tips For Exercise Motivation (When You Really Don’t Want To)
I get it. I really do. Exercise is a big part of my life and I still find exercise motivation hard when I’m pulling on my running shoes and getting out the door. There’s always some distraction. I’ll go when I’ve finished this. Something’s just come up. I’m feeling tired today, maybe I should take …
Running For Weight Loss (How To Avoid The Pitfalls)
Running for weight loss can be one of the most effective ways of losing weight. It doesn’t take much equipment, no expensive gym membership plus there’s no need to follow a ridiculously low calorie diet. Just strap on a pair of running shoes and away you go. Yet it’s not without it’s pitfalls, lose too …
How To Get Fit At Home (Without Getting Bored)
It’s a fact. Working out at home can be boring. There’s no social banter, no classmates to inspire you and it’s all to easy to cut short those reps when it starts to get hard. When it comes to how to get at fit at home, is it really possible without getting bored? It can …
Why Your Weight Loss Is Slow (And What To Do About It)
You can’t understand why your weight loss is slow. You signed up for the latest diet plan. Your enthusiasm is palpable and this time you’re going to do whatever it takes to shift those excess pounds. It all goes brilliantly for the first two weeks and then your weight loss completely stalls. Some days you’re …
Can you be fit but overweight?
Yes of course! Your weight doesn’t correspond to being fit. Fashion models are good examples – many have no muscle definition and poor cardio.
Be careful not to rule out a competitor in a race just because they’re packing a few extra pounds!
Ultimately being overweight does affect both your health and your fitness. It would be a mistake to think otherwise.
It’s easier to run, climb, hike, do yoga and just about any sport if you’re within the bounds of normal weight.
Your BMI is a rough guide to normal weight and you can use this BMI calculator to check your own. Just be aware it’s not accurate if you’re an athlete with big muscles.
This guide is just an introduction to how to be fit and I hope the biggest takeaway is to find a sport or activity you enjoy! It’s much easier to be fit if you’re looking forward to your daily exercise session.
To become fit start with small steps, activities that will become regular habits. Find a type of exercise you enjoy. Set your fitness goals to stay motivated. Exercise with friends. Make sure you get enough sleep and aim for healthy, sustainable, weight maintenance.
If you want to stick to your fitness goals as a beginner, follow a realistic fitness plan. Beginners fail at fitness when they start off really keen and do too much in the first few days. The key to fitness is regular exercise. Small steps to improve your fitness level.
You can make a big difference to your fitness level in 2 months. Follow my Fat Buster Walking Plan to lose 10 pounds in 9 weeks and keep it off or start the Couch To 5K running program. There are many different ways to get in shape. The key is to find an exercise you enjoy and stick at it!
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