Five Ways to Look & Feel More Physically Fit Right Now

Most of us hear the words “physically fit” and groan internally. But consider this: Are you ignoring your own physical fitness because the idea of getting started overwhelms you? I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to start out by training for a marathon. In fact, you’re better off taking baby steps.

The more physically fit you are as you get older, the better the quality of your life will be. It’s simple really—when you feel good and you feel good about the way you look, it opens your mind and your attitude to an entire world of positivity. You’ll have more energy for enjoying the things you love, and it will encourage you to pursue a more active lifestyle—and who doesn’t want that?

Rather than getting overwhelmed with a big life change, why not try making five smaller, simple changes to get you started on the path to feeling better right now?

Get up and get moving. Obviously, exercising will make you more physically fit, but that doesn’t mean you have to jump right into running five miles a day or spending every single day in the gym. Incorporating regular exercise into your daily life, like a twenty-minute walk or a half-hour yoga session, will work wonders for improving your body and your mindset.

Drink water. You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating. Upping your intake of H₂0 will not only make you feel healthier, it can also do wonders for giving your skin a dewy glow that no amount of makeup can replicate.

Breathe properly to support your posture. The way that you carry yourself affects your entire attitude; it makes you feel strong and poised. Start with focusing on your core, starting the breath there, following it up through the chest, and finally lifting the sternum and spreading the collarbone. Doing so gives you the benefit of more oxygen and opening your body to accept the world around you as you walk down the street. Your outlook (and that pesky aching back!) will be transformed.

Practice yoga. Aside from being a great form of exercise, yoga can also help you to stretch and relax your body and your mind. Taking a few minutes out of your day to be quiet and relaxed will work wonders for your overall physical fitness. Any form of stress reduction is a step in the right direction toward being more physically fit.

Think of food as fuel. Learn which foods help to make you feel stronger and work best for your body. Taking the time to develop a nutrition plan designed specifically for you is definitely a priority—after all, a healthy, balanced diet can do wonders for how you feel, look, and think!

I’ve learned from experience that if you wait for the “right time” to start working on your fitness, you’ll never start. The “right time” is actually right now. A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today. There’s no reason you should delay giving yourself this gift!