Heart health is an important issue for many Americans; according to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US, with over 350,000 deaths in 2015 alone. And while there are several ways to prevent heart issues, it can be difficult to find the time to implement lifestyle changes, especially if you work long hours or have kids who also need your attention.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can incorporate better habits into your daily life, including exercise, no matter how busy you are. The key is to commit to the change and then find the easiest ways to stay motivated; for instance, making your workout fun so you’ll stick with it. You know yourself better than anyone, so think about your needs and how to make them a priority.
Read on to find some of the best tips on how to make changes and stick with them for a healthier lifestyle.
Set up a home gym
One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’ll be able to make -- and stick to -- new fitness goals is to set up a home gym. You don’t have to make it elaborate and expensive; find a space in your house that will give you a little room to move and stock it with a yoga mat, dumbbells or kettlebells, and resistance bands. These will give you a nice variety of movement while allowing you to change up your workout from day to day if you wish.
Pay attention to your diet
If you’re not eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet, then you’re not doing your exercise routine any favors. What’s more, not eating the right foods can completely derail your gut health, which can result in fatigue, digestive problems, weight gain, and drastic fluctuations in your mood. To take care of your gut (and your body as a whole), focus on adding vegetables and, possibly, supplements to your diet.
Carve out time from your schedule
It can be difficult to find the time to work out when you’re at the office for much of the day, and finding the motivation to exercise when you’re tired can be especially tough. Instead of waiting until you get home, carve out a little time from your day to get your heart rate up. On those days when you’re super busy and know you’ll be working late, take a brisk walk during your lunch break, or do some yoga at your desk. It may not sound ideal, but if you can squeeze in two 15-minute sessions of exercise, you’ll be able to stay on track.
Leave the car at home
If you live within walking, running or biking distance from work, leave the car at home on nice days and get active. You might have to bring a change of clothing or get up a few minutes earlier, but fitting in a workout before you’ve even started the work day will boost your mood and self-confidence and help you stay motivated. According to Fitness magazine, if you live too far away for these methods of transport to be viable options, you can park at the back of the lot when you get to work, or change bus stops so that you’ll need to walk a little farther.
Get the kids involved
If you’re a busy parent, you may be wondering how you can fit in everything you have to do during the day and still stay on top of your physical health. While it can be tricky to work around a busy schedule, there are ways you can do it. One of the best methods involves having your kids to get active with you; this way, you can spend quality time with them and exercise at the same time. Hop on some bikes and hit the trails at a local park, or start up a kickball game in the yard when the weather is nice.
Keeping your heart healthy is imperative, and finding easy ways to make positive changes to your lifestyle is a great start. Talk to your friends and loved ones for support, and map out a goal before you get started. Soon enough, your workouts will become part of your daily routine and your newfound health will make you feel like a million bucks.
