The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are slowly dropping. If your fitness routine needs a seasonal adjustment for the first Monday of the fall, there are plenty of ways to make the transition to cooler weather.
Embarking on a new running routine is a popular choice for people looking to amp up their physical fitness. It’s an exercise that doesn’t require equipment, gets you outside, and can even be done while listening to music or a podcast. However, there is one important part of running that will make your Monday Mile a lot more comfortable and successful: the right shoes. Before your run this Monday, make sure your sneakers can get you across the finish line!
It’s normal to have a case of the blues once in a while. You could feel stuck in a rut or feel like you have no direction. Maybe you’re just not feeling like yourself. While clinical depression is something to discuss with your doctor, there is an inexpensive and scientifically backed way to deal with a more incidental dip in your mood: exercise. If you’re in a slump this Monday, make time for working out to give your outlook a boost!
How do you feel after a vigorous workout? (Besides sweaty?) If you’ve ever felt buzzed, you’re like many who have experienced the so-called “runner’s high.” Scientists have been studying this post-workout sensation for years, and it may have a more complicated explanation. High-impact workouts do have an intoxicating effect on the brain, so when you get into high gear this Monday, make sure you get your brain in gear, too!
If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably come across CrossFit. CrossFit has become hugely popular with people seeking a high-impact workout that combines a variety of strengthening exercises with intense but friendly competition. Based on a series of “foundational movements,” CrossFit claims to be based on the types of fitness routines practiced by law enforcement, the military, and elite athletes but is geared for anyone who wants to try. But is it for you?
If you missed your 30 minutes of cardio, you may have made up for it without even realizing it. There are several things that you do every day that burn calories and contribute to getting more physical activity. This Monday, make a note of some of the things you do around the house and during the day that require you to move around more, then build on that to be more active!
Are you taking your workout too seriously? When you get stuck in a fitness rut, your workouts might be more work than play – but what if you let loose and turned your workout time into playtime? As you approach a new week of workouts on Monday, a great way to get more physical activity is to take a cue from the kids and play games! Pretend you’re running from zombies, invent a scavenger hunt, or play tag!
If you need to ease yourself into physical activity on Monday, there are several low-impact but effective moves that can tone your muscles and increase your strength. Isometric workouts work your muscles while you hold a static position, targeting specific muscle groups, such as abs, legs, or back.
Flow State, also known as “being in the zone,” is a state of consciousness identified by psychologist Mihalyi Csziksentmihalyi in which someone achieves an optimal performance by funneling all their concentration and focus into an activity. While in Flow State, he says, a person can feel "strong, alert, in effortless control, unselfconscious, and at the peak of their abilities." This can be applied to anything from a friendly conversation to creative expression, but finding flow is especially beneficial to physical fitness.
Having a small budget is no excuse to skip a workout. There are plenty of ways to exercise on a dime or for free! Forget expensive equipment and gym memberships and workout for free this Monday. It just takes a little research, a little creativity, and in some cases a little elbow grease.
