With summer in full swing, it's time to enjoy more sunshine, warmer temperatures, and extra time with family and friends outdoors. Yet, with so many vacations on the books, it's easy to take a detour from your fitness goals and resolutions (remember those?) for those more 'fun' options.
If you want to breathe new life into your exercise goals and find meaningful strategies that help you feel motivated to make health changes all year long, you're not alone. Katy Neville, Head of Fitness Programming for Amazon Halo based in the US, wants to help by sharing her top tips for re-committing to your wellness journey.
Try a programme with a path in mind
Working towards a new fitness goal can be exciting, but knowing how to kick off and actually sticking with it can be more challenging. Picking a programme that progresses with you each week will help you avoid burnout and stay consistent so you can hit your goals. Explore programmes with themes and specific challenges.
Mix it up while getting outside
Trying something new with your fitness can bring new energy to your day. Research shows that mixing up your routine can increase your motivation and results, according to journal PLOS ONE. Try incorporating a program that uses equipment indoors to help benefit your activities outdoors.
Prioritise mobility in the hips
Mobility is a big buzz word these days, and for good reason. People live in a sagittal world, meaning everything is forward - you walk forward, move forward, sit forward - and all this movement centres on the hips. Regardless of what your routine looks like, you should be adding time into your week to focus on hip mobility. That will keep your body healthy and mobile for the long run.
Stay motivated while travelling
Traveling doesn't mean you should shelf your fitness goals. No matter how small your suitcase, you have room for a mini-band. Bringing this mini-band on the road is a physical reminder of your goals and an easy way to add resistance into your routine while on the road.
Propel your results with live feedback
Using real time heart rate feedback during a workout has been shown to increase motivation and result in higher levels of exertion, according to the journal Frontiers in Psychology. This can be done by using a heart rate monitor or fitness device that pairs with your exercise program of choice.