Looking to Enhance Your Fitness Routine?

Are you thinking of taking your health and fitness routine to the next level? There are plenty of supplemental ways to beef up your exercise program. Some things are more mainstream, while others are a little less common: You may be surprised by your options. The choice is ultimately up to you, but here are some things to consider introducing into your wellness routines, brought to you by guest blogger and certified life coach Elena Stewart.

Eat for Your Body

There are plenty of fad diets that promise quick results, but eating for overall health often looks different. In fact, if you’re looking to bolster your exercise routine, you should be very strategic about what you eat and when. If you’re looking to build muscle mass, you’ll need to eat very specific things at specific times throughout your regimen – both long and short term. Don’t assume you need to bulk up on calories and pound protein. Follow guidelines from experts to really build those muscles.

If your goal is weight loss, cut down on calories and focus on consuming more whole foods. It’s not necessary to use weight loss programs. Just follow basic guidelines in order to give your body what it needs to stay strong during exercise, or you’ll end up fatigued and even feeling ill. If you’re not consuming the nutrients your body requires for everyday activities, then exercise will wear you and your body down quickly. Don’t underestimate the importance of water in your diet routine. You can meal plan and schedule all you want, but without consuming at least 2 liters of water each day, your body will continue to feel drained.

Safely Using Supplements

We often supplement our regular diets with vitamins because we don’t consume all the right foods, but there are other kinds of supplements many fitness enthusiasts swear by. Be careful. Many of these items are unnecessary, untested, or even dangerous. If you want to try supplements, do your research and avoid sales-focused websites and stores. They will tell you many tales to make a sale.

Instead, do your own research before committing to any supplemental routine. The FDA has helpful guidelines and information. And look online for scientific studies about supplements you are considering. If a site only promotes the positive, avoid it. They are likely sales-focused. Instead, look for government (.gov) and academic (.edu) sites to find less biased information. And recommendations will vary depending on your goals. What you take for muscle gain is not the same as what you’ll want to lose weight or feel healthier. Know what you want and take the time to research a legitimate product.

Working the Mind and Body

Mental health and the mind-body connection are also becoming more widely accepted topics and practices. There is also evidence that shows these practices can help with an exercise routine. Simply adding mindful practices like focus, posture, and breath can bring your regimen up a level. These activities can lower blood pressure and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. You can also add additional activities like yoga, Tai Chi, and mindful running to your routine. According to Mindful Fit, mindful running can reduce stress, increase performance, aid in recovery, reduce the risk of injury, and improve overall well-being. If running isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other mindful options to choose from.

Your home is also an important part of your mind/body wellness routine. Increasing natural light and adding plants to your home have been shown to reduce anxiety, as they connect you to nature. Reducing clutter can also decrease anxiety, and provide a more suitable environment for meditation and relaxation. Fitness Type also reminds you to breathe. Guided breathing is a simple activity that can do wonders for your stress reduction and overall well being. There are plenty of new and familiar ways to amp up your exercise routine. Regardless of what you choose, do your research and check in with your doctor for guidance. The goal of any fitness regime is to improve your health, so review your options and take your first steps today!

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