Combating Sedentary Lifestyles in North America: Exercise for Weight Loss

Are most of your days spent sitting on the couch watching the latest Netflix series? Do you want to get up and get moving but don’t know where to start? If so, then this article is for you. Combating sedentary lifestyles in North America has become increasingly important due to rising levels of obesity and poor health outcomes in the region. Exercise is one of the best ways to lose weight and become physically fit, and this article will provide helpful tips on how to incorporate it into your daily routine. Read on to learn more about how to fight against sedentary lifestyles through exercise.

1) Beat Sedentary Lifestyles with Exercise

Not exercising? Your lifestyle may be slowly killing you.
Sedentary lifestyles are very common these days, given our busy lives, and it’s only making us sicker. Studies have suggested that lack of regular exercise has a similar risk factor as smoking, and that sitting for long periods of time can also increase our risk of dying from so many types of health issues.

But, there is hope! Exercise isn’t as difficult as you likely think. Here are some ways to get your body moving:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park far from your destination and walk the rest of the way.
• Dance to your favorite song for five minutes.
• Go for a run.
• Do a bodyweight exercise such as push-ups and sit-ups.

Getting started may be the hardest part, but once you develop a habit, you’ll find it easier and easier to stay motivated and get the most out of your workouts. To make it even more fun, you can find fitness groups online and make friends with people who have similar interests. Everyone in the community can help you stay committed to reaching your goals.

Sometimes, we forget how important it is to take care of our physical bodies, but it has a massive impact on our mental health too. Exercise boosts our endorphin levels, which is why it helps reduce anxiety and depression. Working out is also great for our brain’s cognitive functions, memory, and even helps relieve stress.

The key is to find something that you’ll enjoy doing and stick to it. If you prefer to exercise outdoors, try joining a running group, take up biking, or go for a hike. If the outdoors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of ways to get your exercise indoors as well. From all kinds of specialized classes, to any type of workout video you can find online.

Whatever you choose, it’s important to persist and find an exercise routine that works for you. Always remember to stay mindful of your progress and celebrate your successes, big and small. Exercise can be fun, so make sure you think of it as a way to stay fit and healthy.

2) Jump-Start Your Weight Loss with Activity

When it comes to weight loss and activity, consistency is key. But how do you ensure that you’re maintaining a level of physical activity that is healthy, and actually effective in helping you reach your weight loss goals? Here are some tips to help you jump-start your weight loss journey with activity:

• Start with 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. 
• Build a routine. 
• Mix up short bursts of activity with longer, sustained bouts of moderate physical activity. 
• Keep track of your progress. 
• Stretch after your workouts. 

The idea is to build an exercise habit bit-by-bit. Start with an achievable goal and build your activity and endurance from there. This will help you develop an activity routine that you can sustain in the long run and help to ensure that the weight comes off—and stays off.

Choose an activity you enjoy. The last thing that you want is to embark on a new weight loss journey with activity that you don’t find enjoyable. Find an activity that you enjoy, like running, walking, swimming, or dance, that you can capitalize on and use to your advantage. That way, it won’t feel like work. It’ll feel like something that motivates and energizes you.

In addition to regular physical activity, it’s also important to include activities that reduce stress. Stress can take a toll on your metabolism and, in turn, affect your progress. Choose activities that help you relax and de-stress, like yoga, stretching, meditation, journaling, or even a long bath. When it comes to jump-starting your weight loss, consider activity not just as a way to get fit, but as a way to become whole.

3) Discover New Healthy Options for Moving More

Take Some Time for Yourself:It’s often hard to find time to prioritize your physical health. If you want to add more physical activity to your life, try carving out even just a few minutes a day just for yourself: a personal time-out dedicated to getting moving. A short walk, doing a few stretches or light yoga poses, or even just spending a few minutes doing one of your favorite activities can be just the thing you need to jumpstart your journey to building up your physical well-being.

Join a Group:Are you the type of person who loves having other people around to help motivates you? Then consider joining up with a recreational group of some sort, such as a running or hiking club. Being part of a group of individuals who are passionate about being physically active can be a great way for you to gain morale support and tips for trying out new activities and sports. Or, you can make it even easier and sign up for a fitness class at the gym to get in some cardio and strength-training.

Experiment with Nature:Heading to the gym isn’t your only option for being physical active. Mother Nature has much to offer when it comes to fun ways to get moving. Reacquainting yourself with the great outdoors can be wonderfully invigorating. Give yourself permission to play and explore the outdoors: take a bike ride up to the local park, try kayaking on your favorite lake, or give mountain-climbing or rock-climbing a try!

Give New Activities a Shot:Sometimes the best way to increase your physical activity levels is to learn something new. Try going to a class to learn a new skill such as dancing or martial arts. Or sign up for a one-time class to dip your toes into something you’ve been wanting to try, such a kickboxing or Pilates.

Get It Around the Clock: If you really want to build up your physical activity levels for the long haul, consider integrating movement into your lifestyle on a daily basis. Make an effort to:

• Take a short walk during your work break
• Incorporate squats into your brushing-your-teeth routine
• Do jumping jacks whenever you take a phone call
• Do a few yoga poses during commercial breaks when you’re watching tv
• Mix in some stretching while you’re at your desk at work

Tailoring physical activities to fit the rhythm of your day can make it much easier to maintain healthy physical activity levels, and also integrate movement into your life in ways that are enjoyable and sustainable.

4) Reap Benefits of Combating a Sedentary Lifestyle in North America

Exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and nowhere is this more apparent than in North America. This region is historically known for its sedentary lifestyle: from long hours of work to extended hours of TV watching. But, the good news is – there are plenty of benefits for anyone who decides to fight this habit. Here are 4 main advantages that come with combating a sedentary life in North America.

1. Regulates Weight and Reduces the Risk of Diseases

The biggest benefit of exercising regularly is its positive impact on one’s weigh and overall health. Being physically active helps to prevent conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Plus, it assists in controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

2. Improves Mood and Reduces Stress

Another great advantage is increased mental health. Regular workouts are linked to improved psychological wellbeing and a decrease in stress levels in general. Exercise releases endorphins, which in turn have been proven to lift the mood and make one feel less irritable.

3. Improves Quality of Sleep

Lack of sleep is all too common problem in North America. Regular physical activity has been linked to improved quality of sleep, both in duration and in depth. In turn, that plays an important role in one’s energy levels and overall wellbeing.

4. Enhances Cognitive and Motor Abilities

• Exercising assists in maintaining physical capacity as well as in enhancing fine motor abilities;
• Regular physical activity has been connected to improved cognitive abilities, such as improved memory and decision-making skills;
• Physical activity has also been shown to help seniors stay agile and keep their focus and attention levels intact.

Combating a sedentary lifestyle in North America really pays off in the form of improved overall health in a physical, mental and cognitive way. A regular exercise program is able to provide a wide range of advantages for anyone willing to take the initiative, and start making positive changes in their lives.

By making small changes to your daily routine and incorporating regular physical activity into your lifestyle, you can keep your body healthy and fit. Remember, even little steps will pay big dividends in the long run. So don’t be afraid to get up and get moving! It’s time to battle the sedentary lifestyle epidemic and win!