Stay Active, Stay Happy Into the New Year
Welcome to 2021! It's a new year full of new possibilities. Now that the holiday hustle and bustle is over, stay active and improve your health as you head into the new year with these exercises and activities to keep you moving and feeling great.
1. Burn calories without breaking a sweat. It’s called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT), which is a fancy term for regular activities that don’t seem like exercise, but really are. Cleaning out your car, tidying up the den during TV commercials, and standing while chatting on the phone instead of sitting are simple activities that can rev up your metabolism and help you drop pounds.
2. Try the easiest exercise around. What basic activity can energize you, reduce your risk of heart problems, lower blood sugar, and help you lose weight? Walking! You just need a pair of good shoes and a place to go. In winter, walking is still a great idea since you don’t have to contend with hot, sticky weather. Plus, a brisk stroll is just the thing to liven you up. If indoor walking sounds better, try the malls — they often open early for walkers or even have walking clubs. Or consider joining an inexpensive, bare-bones gym with treadmills. Here you can listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts while you walk yourself to better health.
3. Put on your dancing shoes. The start of a new year is a great time to try something different — and add pizzazz to your exercise routine. Dancing is a weight-bearing, aerobic activity that can help prevent bone loss, increase your flexibility, and build muscle. If you’re worried about keeping up the pace, start out with something simple like line dancing (it’s not just done to country music anymore, either). Think of the type of music you most enjoy and look for offerings at local dance studios or community centers.
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- FC&A Staff Writer
