January can be a great motivator to form better fitness habits, but it is also important to live an active and healthy lifestyle during the year.
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Instead of setting unrealistic fitness goals that will likely be abandoned by mid-month, why not create convenient exercise routines that you can tackle from your home?
To help you create fitness habits that stick, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares tips on how to form workout habits at home:
Subscribe to online fitness classes instead of paying gym fees.
This minimises the excuses of traffic and does away with expensive fees and overcrowded equipment stations. By subscribing to an online fitness programme you can work out from your lounge. There are many paid and free programmes available on an app or YouTube.
“Health and wellness are two of the most important aspects of leading a successful life.
“To make it more accessible for our agents to form healthier habits, we created our MAX/Fit wellness programme that offers free online workouts to them and the public.
You can watch them for free on our YouTube channel,” said Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.
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If a full exercise routine seems daunting, simply incorporate short bursts of exercise into your daily routine.
Perform a set of squats while washing the dishes.
Challenge yourself to complete a set of crunches while you watch your favourite TV show. Do jumping jacks when an advert interrupts your viewing.
They should be manageable and will raise your heart rate.
Join your neighbourhood walking group. Accountability is a great help when trying to form new exercise habits.
You could even start your own group by making friends with your neighbours and asking if anyone is interested.
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If you’re unsure about what exercise groups exist in your suburb, chat with a local RE/MAX agent. Real estate agents are often well-connected to the communities they serve and are likely to know of a group you can join.
“Sometimes, the home itself might hinder your ability to embrace healthier habits.
“If you enjoy outdoor activities but face grid-lock traffic every time you head to your nearest greenbelt, perhaps it’s time to find a new home closer to walking or hiking routes.
“Why not make this the year that you minimise all excuses by exploring what other options you can afford? Chat to your local RE/MAX agent for some free advice,” Goslett said.
