Fitness
Redefining Limits: Wellness and Exercise with Limited Resources
Taking care of your health and wellness should be among your top priorities. After all, studies suggest that folks who are healthy are 20% happier than those who are unhealthy.
However, gym memberships and spin classes can be extremely expensive. Even at-home workouts, like those supplied by Peloton and Wattbike, can set you back hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.
Skip the fad workouts and expensive exercise gear in favor of wellness and exercise activities that are cost-free. Working up a sweat needn’t be any more taxing than lacing up a pair of running shoes or busting out a skipping rope.
Invest in Yourself
If you’re new to health and fitness, you may find it difficult to start working out alone. This is entirely understandable, as you probably won’t have a personal trainer to motivate you when working out on limited resources.
If your motivation starts to fade, remember that investing time into improving your health and wellness will yield dividends in years to come. The long-term benefits of exercising include:
- Increased life expectancy
- Improved weight management
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
- Improved ability to complete daily activities
Your self-image is sure to improve after exercising, too. This may give you the confidence you need to land lucrative opportunities in your professional life. Self-image and professional success are integrally tied, as achieving health-related goals gives you the confidence to pursue professional aspirations, too. Over time, an investment in wellness and exercise can redefine your limits in all areas of life and help you lead a life to be proud of.
Low Resource Workouts
Working out from home is the most cost-effective way to get in shape. Working up a sweat in the comfort of your house can give you the confidence you need to join a public gym, too. If you’ve never worked out from home before, consider a few beginner-friendly garage workouts like:
- Yoga for Lifelong Strength
- Get Moving With Moana
- Family Fun Cardio Workout
- Ten-Week No-Gym Home Workout Plan
- Balloon Volleyball
- 15-minute beginner’s circuit
If you fancy some fresh air, consider starting with a couch-to-5k program instead. Couch-to-5k courses are perfect for beginners and are tailored to folks who have not yet established a fitness routine.
The folks who run couch-to-5k courses usually understand the hardships associated with exercising for the first time in a long time, too. This can be extremely helpful if you’re low on confidence and need a helping hand.
You don’t have to exercise alone, either. Accessible, low-cost sports like racquetball, pick-up soccer, and rugby will get you in great shape and help you meet new people. Joining a club can boost your social skills and increase your confidence, too. Just be sure to find a club that suits your skill level and understands that your primary motivation is to improve your health and fitness.
Budget Friendly Recovery
Once you start working out, you’ll want to get as much from exercise and wellness as possible. However, most recovery products are extremely expensive. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune on physical therapy, massage guns, or detoxing teas to recover properly and promote your well-being.
Start with simple dietary changes that can support your new-found passion for exercise and wellness. Track your diet using free apps like Cronometer or MyFitnessPal. These apps will break down your diet into macronutrients like protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Avoid the temptation to slash your calories, as you’ll need the food to fuel your recovery. Instead, focus on achieving a healthy macronutrient split close to:
- 45-65% of your calories from carbs
- 20-35% of your calories from fats
- 10-35% of your calories from proteins
If you’re resistance training, consider upping your protein intake a little. This will support muscle growth and help you achieve strength or physique-related goals. You don’t need to break the bank on protein shakes, either. Beans, lean meats, and eggs are cost-effective and give you all the micronutrients you need, too.
Bolster your recovery and support your long-term growth by getting enough sleep. Sleep is the most important part of your overall recovery plan, as your body needs sleep to grow and adapt after a workout. Getting 7 to 9 hours of shut-eye can help with hormonal regulation, too, which may reduce your stress and help you manage your weight more effectively.
Conclusion
Exercise can be a daunting idea if it’s been a while since you laced up your running shoes. However, with a little motivation and some forward planning, you can redefine your limits while improving your health and wellness.
Start with small steps like home workouts and high-protein meals. These lifestyle changes will supercharge your passion for wellness and give you the energy you need to form a long-term habit. Follow up by sleeping 7 to 9 hours a week and consider joining an exercise club that suits your needs. This will increase your motivation and improve your health while working with limited resources.