Quick Summary
With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start getting active and to take advantage of the weather! Lets take a looks at some resources which can be found in eLibrary Minnesota's health and wellness databases!
Let’s get physical! The sun is out and summer is only a few months away which means now is the perfect time to start getting active! Waking up from that winter hibernation can be difficult and not knowing where to start also poses an issue. Trust me, I know. But there are many health and wellness resources available through eLibrary Minnesota’s Consumer Health Complete database to help you get on the right track!
Currently, one of the most popular ways to start getting active and into a schedule is simply going to a gym. Whether you’re lifting weights (my personal favorite), doing cardio, or even just walking, going to a gym or fitness center can help you be more active. Getting a gym membership is one thing, but figuring what to do there is an entirely different beast and is something that drives many people away. Luckily, there are resources available on the Consumer Health Complete database to help you get over this hurdle. A special report, “Workouts, Your Way,” issued by the Consumer Union of the United States, provides a step-by-step guide that helps you tailor your exercise or workout program to your personal goals and comfort level. This guide is organized by specific topics that make it easy to understand so you can develop a balanced plan/schedule. I wish I had this when I first started out; it would have saved me from working out my biceps every single day!
Going to a fitness center or gym is one way to get active, but it’s not the only one. You can benefit from strength training and exercise from the comfort of your own home! An article titled “A 12-Minute, Total-Body Beginner Workout to Ease You Into Strength Training,” by Jenny McCoy and Christa Sgobba, provides an effective workout in only 12 minutes! The article includes directions for each exercise and instructions to decrease or increase intensity to meet your goals. The fundamentals taught in this workout can later be applied to lifting weights at the gym. These movements are ones I personally use daily when I work out. Check out this article and get your move on!
If strength training isn’t for you, one of the most effective and easiest ways to get active is simply by walking! A publication from the Harvard Heart Letter (also found in the Consumer Health Complete database), titled “Revitalize your walking routine” explains the health benefits of walking and outlines how you can progressively increase your daily walking. Read the article to start revamping your walking schedule!
Regardless of what your goals are, exercising has benefits that range from physical to mental health. Exercise can help you unwind and also help you feel more energized throughout the day. “THE BENEFITS OF Exercise,” by Leila Kirdani, goes into more detail about the specific benefits exercise can have in your daily life as well the different types of exercises you can add to your routine.
Take some time this spring to check out the great resources available in the Consumer Health Complete database and make a plan for your summer! As you embark on your journey, remember to focus on personal improvement rather than comparing yourself to others.
Now, drop and give me 20!
