MorningStar has always been about more than just lovely houses in a pretty community. We’re truly committed to the health and well-being of our residents. That commitment shines through in everything we do, and drives our continual improvements such as Big Dipper Fishing Pond, our nature trail exercise stations (coming May), our large and small dog park with obstacles, and more. No matter your age, weight, or fitness level, regular exercise remains one of the most important things you can do for your health. In fact, research shows that exercising more might actually help you live longer. Exercise can also lower your risk of dementia, fight depression, and help with chronic pain. Our walkable, safe community makes getting more exercise a breeze. Here are five simple strategies for getting and staying fit.
Start Slowly, and Reward Little Successes
You don’t have to run a marathon tomorrow—or ever. You don’t even have to exercise for a full 30 minutes. Any move toward fitness is something worthy of celebration. So start slowly. Even just one minute of exercise is better than none. Let your comfort level and commitment be your guide. What matters most is sticking with it, and you’re far more likely to stick with a reasonable fitness plan than you are to continually run 5 miles every morning in the blazing sun.
Find Ways to Become More Active
Being more active doesn’t have to mean joining a gym or taking yoga. Any time you move your body, it counts as exercise. Some easy ways to incorporate more exercise into your life include:
Walking more in your community. Try walking to a restaurant, or cycling to your favorite store.
Parking further away from your destination. A longer walk in the parking lot burns more calories.
Taking time to play with your kids or your dog. Dancing, hide-and-seek, and tag all count as exercise.
Taking frequent stretching breaks, especially if you spend long stretches of time hunched over a desk. Try taking a quick walk around your office, or doing five jumping jacks every hour.
Make it Fun
Exercise doesn’t have to be drudgery. In fact, when exercise is dull, you’re a lot less likely to stick with it. So find ways to make your workout fun. Make a motivational workout tape, or commit only to doing exercise you like. Feel free to experiment until you find something that works with your personality and lifestyle. Games with your kids, sports teams, and exercise classes help some people feel more motivated. If you find exercise boring, try listening to podcasts or watching TV while you do it. There’s no shame in a little distraction.
Bring a Friend
Everyone does better when they’re held accountable. Working out with a friend is a great way to practice accountability. After all, you don’t want to let your friend down and make them exercise alone. Doing it with a friend can also help you feel less anxious about going to a class for the first time, and give you someone to talk to about the trials and tribulations about moving toward greater fitness. So ask a friend to join you at a workout class, join a local walking group, or chat up some friendly-looking people at your local yoga class.
Remember Your Motivation
Let’s face it: life for most of us is busy, stressful, and exhausting. It’s tempting to sit on the couch and watch Netflix when you should be lifting weights or going for a run. To stay motivated, you need to keep your eye on the prize. Consider making a list of all the reasons you want to stay active. Don’t just borrow bland platitudes from fitness websites. Focus on what fitness really means to you. Do you want to fit into a new dress or jeans? Does exercise help with headaches or back pain? Are you hoping to be able to chase your kids into adulthood? Get specific, and review your list of reasons every time you find your motivation failing.
In a community like MorningStar, walking, running, and biking your way to better health is easy. If you’re ready to make the move, click here to review our list of available new homes in lovely Georgetown.