In this two-part article we dive straight into 10 things (5 now and 5 in part 2 following shortly) that you can do to give yourself a fitness injection today and the psychological edge to go with it. Get your daily dose of some of these and you’ll be well on your way to super fitness forever!
1. Make the decision
Anything worth doing is worth doing with full attention and energy even if it’s a simple task. Notice that you don’t feel motivated to do anything when your thoughts are running in the opposite direction? Take time to appreciate the movements you make with your body.
2. Take responsibility
Remember no one who decides to take responsibility can afford to be negative. Ever noticed how truly successful people are busy and conscious of what they’re doing and where they’re going? It’s because they know how necessary it is to take charge of their own attitudes and get busy implementing their goals.
3. Keep a good time perspective
Many find that waking up half an hour earlier twice a week gives them all the extra time they need to fit in time for exercise. This should also leave you feeling very invigorated for the day ahead. There are 168 hours in the week -you only need to dedicate around 1.5 to 3 hours of this time to your fitness, that’s just 1- 2% of your time. There are few people who can really say that they have not got time to keep fit, don’t make excuses!
4. Deep breathing
We’ve all heard about this, but how many of us actually practice it?
Deep breathing is essential to maximise our physical capacity and has a tremendous effect on all the physiological processes of the body, including:
a. detoxing (releasing toxins)
b. relaxing the body
c. strengthening your immune system
d. increasing your digestion and assimilation power (of food)
e. strengthens the heart and lungs (a good insurance against respiratory problems!)
f. improves circulation
g. relieves pain
How to do it: while sitting with your back straight cross-legged or on a chair, close your mouth and start breathing through your nose only. Breathe in deeply so that your abdomen fills with air hold for a count of 6-10, then exhale and hold for a count of 6-10 then start again. Spend about 5 minutes per day doing this and you will notice some interesting mental benefits including clarity (often times people report enhanced creativity) as well.
5. Stomach suction exercises (or ‘suck-ins’)
This one helps tone the digestive organs from within and also helps keep your bowels regular (in conjunction with a diet ample in fruits, grains and vegetables) which means you don’t store toxins in your intestines and suffer from lethargy due to constipation. Now you can throw away the laxatives! The added benefit to your external appearance is also easy to notice after a few weeks of regular practice.
How to do it: while standing, place your hands on slightly bended knees and exhale as much air out as you can. While keeping your mouth closed and without inhaling, pull and push your stomach in and out vigorously 4-5 times, repeat for 3 sets. Do this twice per day.
Now you’re on your way to really becoming vitalized at a deep level. Check back shortly for part 2!
Feel free to comment below and let us know how you’re getting on in your journey to fitness.
