Source: Central Jersey.com
Spring is here, and before we know it, the summer months will be upon us, too. This is such a great time to start getting active outdoors and enjoying the warmer weather that we have all been waiting for! Time to re-charge and come out of hibernation, as this is the perfect time to re-evaluate our health and take steps to get back in that healthy groove.
Here are some ways to get your groove back:
• Get your mind ready. Getting back into a workout routine after a break means getting your mind in the right place. Allowing your mind and body the time they need to get back in that routine will actually pay off in the long run. Don’t be impatient because it will only lead to injuries and setbacks. Take it easy the first couple of days and do not overdo working out. Get your brain to embrace that routine again. As Maxwell Maltz would say, “it takes 21 days to form a habit.”
• Plan activities outdoors. If you live near a park or the beach, try to incorporate walking before work or after dinner with a friend or family members. Weekends can be spent hiking or playing your favorite sport. Even if you are not a sporty individual, there is always something to do that involves being active outside. Walk the dog, play with your kids outside, walk around the neighborhood. Working out does not mean you have to be in the gym.
• Enjoy eating healthy and choose your foods wisely. Take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables of the season. Plan your meals accordingly and fill up your plate with healthier choices. Eating fewer calories doesn’t mean eating less food.
Also, keep in mind that if you are unsure of your health status or are overweight, speak with your primary care physician prior to beginning a new exercise regimen. By making smarter choices every day, adopting a healthy lifestyle and developing smarter eating habits, you’ll not only lose weight and be able to keep it off, you will also have more energy and an improved mindset.
By Sameer Shetty, M.D., an Old Bridge NJ board-certified internal medicine physician with a special interest in obesity-related conditions. For more information, call 732-210-8165 or visit SameerShettyMD.com.