Breaking Free: How to Shift from a Sedentary Lifestyle to an Active One

While our days have become incredibly busy, sedentary lifestyles have become alarmingly common. If you’re reading this blog, you probably know just how easy it is to fall into the habit.

If you’re among those who’ve tried kick-starting an active lifestyle, only to find themselves tangled in failed attempts, this article is for you. We are going to guide you through the process of shifting into a more healthy and vibrant life.

What is a Sedentary Lifestyle?

First off, let’s make sure we know what we are talking about. What exactly is a sedentary lifestyle? One with lots of inactivity — think more sitting and less moving.

The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise and two days of muscle-strengthening in every week. So anything below that could be considered inactive. It’s an unsettling thought — only 28% of people in the US meet those guidelines!

Inactive lifestyles pose serious health risks, including:

● heart disease

● type 2 diabetes

● obesity

But don’t worry, there’s a way to avoid these health complications!

An active lifestyle involves two major components: getting yourself moving, and fueling your activity in a healthy way.

How to Start an Active Lifestyle

Your active lifestyle doesn’t have to start with enrolling for a gym membership. In fact, if that feels like a deal breaker right now, avoid gyms altogether.

Wondering how a person can have an active lifestyle? Below are four active lifestyle tips:

● Do what you love: The key to exercising is to pick something you love doing. For instance, if you enjoy walking, start there. You can focus on getting 10,000 steps every day. Within a couple of months of hitting that target, you’ll find yourself much more capable of taking on more strenuous activity.

● Start slow and spread out the activity: It’s better to do a little exercise every single day than to save your activity for big workouts one or two days a week. Those big sessions will wipe you out and leave you sore. Plus, if you have scheduling conflicts with a workout day, then you risk losing all your activity for the week. Yet another reason to do a little every day? It builds the habit more quickly.

● Find activity in everyday life: Look for all the moments when you can do things with your body. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Ride a bike on short trips instead of taking the car. Take a walk around while talking on the phone. Once you keep your eyes out for them, you’ll find there are opportunities to be active all the time.

● Focus on victories: One of the best ways to get started is to focus on the activity you accomplish, not the sitting around you did. That positive mindset is going to keep you motivated, and it will remind you that being active is simply more fun than sitting around all the time.

Fueling Your Activity

Today, if you search online for eating tips, you’ll be inundated with a head-spinning amount of conflicting information.

So let’s start simple.

One of the best ways to improve to fuel your active lifestyle is to make the most out of your grocery store visits and avoid eating out — at least while you try to acclimate to food that will serve you best on your journey to an active lifestyle. The long and short of healthy grocery store visits is this: buy whole foods that you like and learn how to cook them in ways that make your body and taste buds happy.

If you don’t have the time, or want to make sure things are done right, you can also check out meal plans. These make sure you are eating what your body needs and accomplishing your long term health goals at the same time.

The Struggle of Starting a Fitness Journey

Starting a fitness journey can feel like climbing a mountain. You’ll face many hurdles early on, and you might experience a lack of motivation due to slow progress. Maybe you’ve tried going to the gym, started dieting, or tried home workouts, but couldn’t sustain it.

If you are finding the process to be overwhelming — don’t worry! The right coaches and trainers are experts who provide a tailor-made roadmap to get you to your own unique fitness goals.

They keep track of your progress, help you stay motivated, and ensure you’re exercising correctly and eating healthily. The guidance of these professionals could be the missing link in successfully transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one.

Final Thoughts on Getting Active

The transition from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one can be challenging, but with the right professional guidance, it becomes achievable and enjoyable.

Hiring a coach or trainer can make a significant difference, providing the structure, motivation, and expertise you need. So why not take the first step towards your transformation today? Embark on your journey towards an active, healthier lifestyle with the right support.

-Eric Golubitsky, Co-Founder Zero Doubt Club