“Sustainable Fitness” is the buzzword of the day, and for good reason! It’s a holistic approach to health and wellness that focuses on building fitness habits that are not just beneficial but also enjoyable and long-lasting. Stay with Haelthy.
The Importance of Sustainable Fitness
A common problem many of us face is sticking to a fitness routine. We start with gusto, hitting the gym, running, or taking yoga classes. But then life happens. Work piles up, social commitments call, or perhaps we lose interest. The initial enthusiasm fades, and our fitness plans go down the drain.
That’s where Sustainable Fitness steps in.
Sustainable Fitness is all about longevity and enjoyment in our fitness routines. It is not a quick fix or a short-term goal. Instead, it focuses on making fitness a permanent part of our lives.
How to Achieve Sustainable Fitness
So, how can we make our fitness routines sustainable? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Understand Your Motivation
The key to Sustainable Fitness is understanding why you want to be fit. Is it to improve your health? To look better? To feel more confident? Understanding your motivation can help you choose a fitness routine you will love and stick to.
For example, if you aim to reduce stress, you might find yoga or pilates more enjoyable than high-intensity workouts.
Choose Activities You Enjoy
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many of us ignore it. We sign up for fitness classes that we don’t enjoy simply because they are “in” or because our friends are doing them.
However, Sustainable Fitness is about choosing activities that you truly enjoy. Love the outdoors? Go for hikes or bike rides. Love dancing? Sign up for Zumba or hip-hop classes. The more you enjoy the activity, the more likely you will stick with it.
Set Realistic Goals
Aiming for six-pack abs in a month or dropping two dress sizes in six weeks is not sustainable. Such goals can lead to overtraining, injuries, or demotivation when they are not achieved.
Instead, set realistic fitness goals. Start small and gradually increase your fitness level. Remember, Sustainable Fitness is a marathon, not a sprint.
Listen to Your Body
Sustainable Fitness involves paying attention to your body’s needs. If you’re feeling exhausted, take a rest day. If a certain exercise causes discomfort, modify it or try something different. Pushing your body beyond its limits is not sustainable.
The Power of Sustainable Fitness: A Real-Life Example
Now that we’ve covered the how of Sustainable Fitness let’s look at a real-life example of how it works.
Meet Anna.
She’s a busy mom of two who also works full-time. She loves the idea of being fit but struggles to find time and motivation to exercise.
Initially, Anna signed up for a high-intensity workout program because she heard it was the fastest way to lose weight. But she found the workouts exhausting and hard to fit into her schedule.
Then, Anna discovered the concept of Sustainable Fitness. She realized she didn’t have to follow the most intense workout program to be fit.
She started by taking brisk walks during her lunch break. Then, she began incorporating yoga sessions in the evenings. These were activities she enjoyed and could easily fit into her schedule.
Over time, Anna started noticing improvements. She was sleeping better, her stress levels had reduced, and she felt more energized.
The best part? She was sticking to her fitness routine.
Sustainable Fitness worked for Anna, and it can work for you too! Remember, it’s about finding a fitness routine you love and can maintain over the long haul. After all, the best exercise is the one you’ll do.
The Future of Sustainable Fitness
In a world increasingly focused on instant results, Sustainable Fitness provides a refreshing perspective. It emphasizes long-term health, enjoyment, and balance. As more people realize the benefits of this approach, Sustainable Fitness is poised to become the future of fitness.
As you embark on your own Sustainable Fitness journey, remember: to understand your motivation, choose activities you love, set realistic goals, and listen to your body. And most importantly, enjoy the journey!
Sources:
Here are some reliable, science-backed sources that discuss elements of sustainable fitness:
- Understanding Your Motivation
- Sheldon, K.M., Elliot, A.J., Kim, Y., & Kasser, T. (2001). What is satisfying about satisfying events? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80(2), 325–339. Link
- Choosing Activities You Enjoy
- Rhodes, R. E., Janssen, I., Bredin, S. S. D., Warburton, D. E. R., & Bauman, A. (2017). Physical activity: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions. Psychology & Health, 32(8), 942–975. Link
- Setting Realistic Goals
- Strecher, V. J., Seijts, G. H., Kok, G. J., Latham, G. P., Glasgow, R., DeVellis, B., … & Bulger, D. W. (1995). Goal setting as a strategy for health behavior change. Health Education Quarterly, 22(2), 190-200. Link
- Listening to Your Body
- Cook, D. B., O’Connor, P. J., Eubanks, S. A., Smith, J. C., & Lee, M. (1997). Naturally occurring muscle pain during exercise: assessment and experimental evidence. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 29(8), 999-1012. Link
- The Future of Sustainable Fitness
- Sallis, J. F., & Saelens, B. E. (2000). Assessment of physical activity by self-report: status, limitations, and future directions. Research quarterly for exercise and sport, 71(sup2), 1-14. Link
These sources provide valuable insights into different aspects of sustainable fitness, supporting the strategies suggested above.
